Ben & Jerry's to Cut All GMO Ingredients From Products

SOUTH BURLINGTON, Vt.Ben & Jerry's recently set a goal to cut all GMO ingredients from its ice cream products by the end of 2013, while also supporting mandatory GMO labeling legislation.

Although the company hopes to make the transition to non-GMO ingredients in 2013, the conversion will likely continue into 2014. Ben & Jerry's also wants all of its flavors Fairtrade certified and sourced, which amounts to about 80 flavors, 110 ingredients and more than 200 different products to transition. Because one flavor may contain up to 40 different ingredients, this transition may be a complex undertaking.

The company's first step to transitioning its products includes finding new, non-GMO ingredients, then working with its suppliers to make sure they can fulfill customer needs. Finally, the company will plan for the new ingredients to arrive at its plants in time for packaging.