New Chapter Proudly Sponsors First National Non-GMO Month

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Oct 10, 2010, 10:00 ET

BRATTLEBORO, Vt., Oct. 10 /PRNewswire/ -- New Chapter, Inc., is proud to sponsor the first ever "Non-GMO Month" this October by participating in the "Celebrate your right to choose Non-GMO" campaign on Facebook. A newly developed Facebook application will educate users about GMOs and the Non-GMO Project; it will also feature brands participating in the product verification program, such as New Chapter. In addition, the Facebook campaign will raise funds for the Project, a 501(c)(3) non-profit, with vendor sponsors donating $1 for every click from users. New Chapter's sponsorship day is Tuesday, October 12th. The application can be accessed at http://apps.facebook.com/nongmopledge/ .

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The process of genetic modification, which takes place in a laboratory, typically merges DNA from different species, creating combinations of plant, animal, bacteria and viral genes that cannot occur in nature or in traditional crossbreeding. Virtually all commercial GMOs are bred to withstand direct application of herbicide and/or to produce an insecticide. None of the GMO traits currently on the market offer increased yield, drought tolerance, enhanced nutrition, or any other consumer benefit.

The Grocery Manufacturers Association estimates that GMOs currently are in approximately 80% of conventional processed foods in the United States, but they are not labeled. This is in sharp contrast to most other developed nations around the world, where there are significant restrictions or outright bans on GMOs because they're not considered proven safe. As a result of the controversy and concern, more and more consumers are seeking non-GMO choices, and Nielson reported in February of this year that "non-GMO" type claims are now the fastest growing store brand label claim.

To fill the information gap, a "Non-GMO Project Verified" seal has been created. Manufacturers earn the seal through compliance with rigorous GMO avoidance standards, including ingredient testing, as part of the nation's first third party non-GMO verification program. New Chapter strongly believes in people's right to choose non-GMO, and is an active participant in the Non-GMO Project's verification program. New Chapter is also the first Vitamins & Supplements company Verified by the Non-GMO Project, and its multivitamins -- including Every Man®, Every Woman® and Perfect Prenatal® lines -- are the first in the Natural Products industry to achieve Non-GMO Project Verification. During Non-GMO Month this October, as "Non-GMO Project Verified" seals start to appear in stores, nearly 600 retailers nationwide will be educating shoppers about GMOs and the Non-GMO Project. The Facebook application will bring Non-GMO Month into the social media realm, where the Non-GMO Project's Facebook page already has over 20,000 fans.

"New Chapter is passionate about organic whole-food nutrition, and we are thus passionate about the Non-GMO Project," said Tom Newmark, CEO of New Chapter. "The Non-GMO Project is in our personal DNA. From our first days at New Chapter, we sourced organic -- indeed biodynamic -- ingredients, and we were proud to offer the first multivitamins third-party certified under the National Organic Program. We are once again proud to offer the first multivitamins third-party verified under the Non-GMO Project, and this independent verification is critical for consumer confidence in the genetic integrity of their food supply."

"In fact," Newmark continued, "we've enrolled our entire product line in the Non-GMO Project, and we hope that other dietary supplement companies join us in this cause. Let's all celebrate the first ever Non-GMO Month as we join together in our appreciation -- and defense -- of Nature's wisdom."

About New Chapter - New Chapter is a widely respected producer, formulator, packager and distributor of organic probiotic nutrients and herbal formulations, selling over 100 products to approximately 4,000 retail locations, as well as medical professionals and pharmacies.

They are industry pioneers in cultured whole-food vitamins and minerals, making their probiotic nutrients the superior alternative to the synthetic isolates of most vitamin brands. Likewise, New Chapter has championed the use of supercritical CO2 extraction, which creates a broad-spectrum yet powerfully concentrated herbal extract, without the use of high heat or toxic chemical solvents.

The Non-GMO Project is a non-profit multi-stakeholder collaboration committed to preserving and building sources of non-GMO products, educating consumers, and providing verified non-GMO choices. Find out more at http://www.nongmoproject.org and at http://www.facebook.com/nongmoproject

SOURCE New Chapter