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About Our Non-GMO and Gluten Free Products

At Centrum, we embrace curiosity. Consumers want to know what is (or isn’t) in their supplements before they take the next step for their health and well-being. That’s why we have the following products that are gluten-free and do not contain genetically modified ingredients (non-GMO):

  • Centrum Silver Adults
  • Centrum Silver Men
  • Centrum Silver Women
  • Centrum Adults
  • Centrum Men
  • Centrum Women
  • Centrum Minis Men 50+
  • Centrum Minis Women 50+
  • Centrum Organic Women Multigummies
  • Centrum Organic Men Multigummies
  • Centrum Organic Kids Multigummies
  • Centrum Kids MultiGummies in Tropical Punch Flavors
  • Centrum Women MultiGummies in Tropical Fruit Flavors
  • Centrum Men MultiGummies in Tropical Fruit Flavors
  • Centrum Maternal Health PreNatal Multivitamin Gummies
  • Centrum Maternal Health PostNatal Multivitamin Gummies
  • Centrum Maternal Health Morning Sickness Relief* Gummies

What Does "GMO” Mean?

When we refer to “GMO” (genetically modified organism), we mean an organism that was modified through genetic engineering, or other scientific means, that alters its natural state to one that could not have occurred naturally.

 

Centrum Non-GMO Standard

Although there is no federal guidance for making an affirmative non-GMO claim on foods or supplements,1 we’ve based our non-GMO standard on a careful evaluation of FDA guidance documents, existing and proposed standards from within and outside the U.S., and standards set by independent organizations.

For our verified products, our standard requires sourcing non-GMO by origin ingredients. This means we use an original seed source that is conventionally grown (not genetically engineered) for our ingredients. Our verification is based upon a thorough evaluation of supplier documentation confirming the non-GMO status of the ingredients.

We allow for the use of fermented ingredients or processing aids that are genetically engineered, as long as the genetic material from the processing aid is removed from the finished ingredient and is not present in the final product. See example under Processing Aids.

 

Common Definitions Related to GMOs

Genetic Engineering
The US FDA uses the term “bioengineered” (BE) interchangeably with “modern biotechnology” and adopts the CODEX definition for Modern Biotechnology which means the application of:2

a) In vitro nucleic acid techniques, including recombinant deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) and direct injection of nucleic acid into cells or organelles

b) Fusion of cells beyond the taxonomic family, that overcome natural physiological reproductive or recombinant barriers and that are not techniques used in traditional breeding and selection

Genetic modification happens when scientists insert DNA from one species into another in order to impart a trait that does not naturally occur in the modified species. Sweet corn, for example, is often engineered to resist insects by modifying its DNA with a bacteria strain known as Bacillus thuringiensis. This causes every cell in the corn plant to produce an insecticide that can’t be washed off.

Non-GMO by Origin
The original seed source has not been altered using genetic engineering.

Identity Preservation (IP)
Identity preservation is a practice that traces the identity of ingredients back to their original source. The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) has a voluntary service through its Identity Preservation Program. The program ensures the integrity of ingredients supply by verifying the identification, segregation of seeds, and traceability of a product’s unique, value-added characteristic where verification is provided at every stage, including seed, production, processing and distribution.3

Non GMO by Identity Preservation (IP) requires practices and processes for controlling contamination from at-risk GMO inputs and ingredients. While non-GMO by IP is acceptable for our standards, it is not required.

PCR(-) (PCR negative)
The Polymerase Chain Reaction (PRC) test detects genetic material (DNA) in a sample. A negative test result, or PCR(-) for short, means that no genetically modified DNA was detected in the finished product. A PCR(-) finding alone is not sufficient to ensure that a product is non-GMO. In certain cases, testing may be used as a verification tool.

Processing Aids
According to the FDA definition, processing aids include:3

  • Substances that are added to a food product during its processing but are removed in some manner before the food is packaged in its finished form.3
  • Substances that are added to a food product during processing and are converted into components that naturally occur in the food but don’t significantly change the natural makeup of the food.3
  • Substances that are added to a food product for their technical or functional effect in the processing but are present in the finished food at insignificant levels and do not have any technical or functional effect on that food.3

Our standard allows, on a case-by-case basis, the use of fermented ingredients and processing aids that are genetically engineered when unavoidable. For example, some B Vitamins (riboflavin and vitamin B12) are produced using a fermentation process that employs a genetically-engineered processing aid. Under our non-GMO standard, an ingredient manufactured using a genetically-engineered processing aid, such as riboflavin and B12, would not be considered genetically-modified as long as the nutrient medium itself is not genetically engineered and the genetically-engineered processing aid is filtered out.4

  • Show References

    1. In 2016, the National Bioengineered Food Disclosure Standard was passed, requiring the USDA to develop regulations for the mandatory disclosure of the presence of genetically engineered ingredients. We are taking a proactive role in ensuring we offer Centrum formulations that are non-GMO to meet the growing consumer preference for such assurance.
    2. Codex Alimentarius Commission. 2003. Amendments in 2008, 2011. “Principles for the Risk Analysis of Foods Derived From Modern Biotechnology CAC/GL 44-2003” http://www.codexalimentarius.net/download/standards/10007/CXG_044e.pdf
    3. Food exemptions from labeling, 21 CFR 101.100(a)(3)(ii), link accessed November 1, 2016: http://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/cdrh/cfdocs/cfcfr/cfrsearch.cfm?fr…
    4. Filtered out such that residual genetically-engineered DNA is present at <0.9% in the ingredient. This threshold of <0.9% is consistent with existing standards when such GE DNA is present due to adventitious or technically-unavoidable contamination.

 *This statement has not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.