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What Non-GMO Means And How It Applies To Alcohol | Nedstar

Written by Duda Martins | Nov 20, 2025 3:51:13 PM

GMO-free refers to a certified product or food that does not contain genetically modified organisms (GMOs). GMOs are living organisms, including animals, plants, and microbes, whose genetic material has been artificially altered in a laboratory, typically to enhance desirable traits such as resistance to pests, diseases, or environmental stress.

While GMOs create benefits such as higher crop yield and longer shelf life, there is an ongoing debate about the potential risks of GMOs, with many consumers preferring to consume products that do not contain them. As a result, many food manufacturers and producers label their products as "GMO-free" to appeal to consumers who are looking for these products.

Although GMOs are extensively tested and regulated by various government agencies, and no scientific evidence for harm to people has been found, the labelling of "GMO-free" products is still a matter of consumer choice and preference. Not every product that is free of GMOs has the label GMO-free, as this needs to be audited. In some countries, GMO-free is the standard, for example, in Germany, France, and Algeria.

How do you genetically engineer raw materials?

Genetic engineering of raw materials involves altering the genetic makeup of organisms used to produce those raw materials. The genetic engineering of raw materials is a complex process that requires extensive testing and regulatory approval to ensure the safety and quality of the end product. The process typically involves the following steps:

Why would genetically modified food be bad?

GM foods are extensively tested and regulated by various government agencies to ensure they are safe for consumption and for the environment. However, there is an ongoing debate over the potential benefits and drawbacks of genetically modified (GM) foods. Some people are concerned about the potential risks of consuming GM foods, a few reasons being:

What is GMO-free alcohol?

GMO-free alcohol refers to alcohol that is made without the use of GMOs as a raw material. This includes the grains or other raw materials used in the production of the alcohol, as well as any additives or flavourings that may be used.

The use of GMOs in alcohol is not as widespread as it is in other food products. However, some alcoholic beverages and countries may use genetically modified grains, such as corn or soy, in their production, which is a reason for selected alcohol manufacturers and producers to label their products as GMO-free. It is not possible to prove by the final alcohol product whether the feedstock was GMO or not. If you want to avoid GMO in your product, you may want to use GMO-free alcohol in your production, something Nedstar is able to help you with.

Conclusion

GMOs are a widely consumed product that enables society to feed a bigger part of its population for cheaper. Although strictly regulated by government agencies, as long as GMOs continue to cause debate within the consumer base, the concept of “GMO-free” will stay a matter of consumer preference and choice. This includes alcohol products, which can be made with genetically modified grains. At Nedstar, we can provide you with good-quality alcohol that has GMO-free or non-GMO certification, with non-GMO products guaranteed to be derived from raw materials that were not genetically modified. Get in touch with one of our commercial managers below to find out more.