IGEN Non-GMO Tested
IGEN is a third-party programme that uses laboratory testing to verify the absence of genetically modified material in supplements. Where most non-GMO claims rely on supplier paperwork, IGEN tests the finished product directly.
Who runs it
IGEN — the International GMO Evaluation and Notification programme — is operated by Nutrasource, the same Canadian contract research organisation that runs IFOS. The lab is ISO/IEC 17025 accredited. IGEN was launched specifically to address a gap in the supplement space: most non-GMO labelling globally is based on supplier declarations rather than direct DNA or protein-level analysis of the product.
What is actually tested
IGEN uses two complementary laboratory methods to detect GMO material in the finished product. Using both addresses the limitations of each.
- PCR (polymerase chain reaction). Amplifies and detects specific DNA sequences associated with common genetically modified crops — Roundup Ready soy, Bt corn, transgenic canola, and others. PCR is highly sensitive but requires intact DNA, which can be degraded in heavily processed ingredients.
- ELISA (enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay). Detects proteins produced by GMO genes (such as the Cry1Ab protein in Bt corn, or CP4 EPSPS in glyphosate-tolerant crops). Useful when DNA has been processed away but protein traces remain — and vice versa.
Limit of detection is typically below 0.1% GMO content by mass. That is well below the 0.9% labelling threshold used by EU regulation and substantially below most retail-level non-GMO claims.
How to verify a certificate
Certified products are listed on the same Nutrasource certifications portal used for IFOS, at certifications.nutrasource.ca. Each entry links to the underlying test report. As with the other certifications, the listing is product-specific — a different SKU from the same brand needs its own entry.
What IGEN does not cover
- Organic certification. Non-GMO and organic are related but distinct. Organic certification (Soil Association in the UK, USDA Organic in the US) covers farming practice including pesticide and fertiliser use. IGEN covers GMO content only.
- Banned-substance screening or contaminants. IGEN does not test for heavy metals, pesticide residues, or anti-doping substances. It is a single-purpose certification.
- Identity, potency, or efficacy. IGEN does not confirm that the active ingredient is present at the stated dose, nor that the product produces a particular effect.
When it matters most
IGEN is most relevant for supplements derived from crops with common GMO variants — soy protein, soy lecithin, corn-derived ingredients (maltodextrin, dextrose, citric acid, ascorbic acid), rapeseed-derived oils, and beet-derived sugar. For ingredients that have no GMO equivalent at scale (fish oil, mineral salts, most botanical extracts) the certification adds little.
UK and EU supplement labelling already restricts unlabelled GMO ingredients above 0.9%, but IGEN's lower detection threshold and product-level testing offer a stronger guarantee than the regulatory baseline alone.
Common misconceptions
- “Non-GMO” on a label is not always tested. Many non-GMO claims rely on supplier self-declaration or supply-chain audits rather than finished-product testing. IGEN's value is that it closes the gap between supplier paperwork and what is actually in the bottle.
- IGEN does not imply the product is healthier. Whether GMO ingredients carry health risks is a separate scientific question with no consensus answer. IGEN simply verifies absence; it does not endorse a position on whether absence is preferable.