New shelf labels
This article was originally published in March 2015
PCC recently launched a new shelf label system at our stores to make it easier for shoppers to identify attributes that matter to them. More than 60 percent of our labeled products have at least one of four attributes — organic, non-GMO, local, gluten-free — each identified with a different color on the label. Products may display just one color but could show all four. Here’s an explanation of what the different labels mean:
Organic
A product with a green “Organic” tag has been certified organic according to U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) standards. At least 95 percent of the ingredients are organic, certified by a third party.
Non-GMO
A product can earn a blue “Non-GMO” tag if it’s certified organic by the USDA, since organic standards prohibit genetic engineering, or if it’s Non-GMO Project Verified.
Local
Products showing a purple “Local” tag are grown or produced in Washington, Oregon, Idaho or southern British Columbia.
Gluten free
If a product’s packaging claims that it’s gluten-free, you’ll find an orange tag. This encompasses products where you might traditionally expect to find gluten, such as crackers, as well as packaged products that are gluten-free naturally.