CHICAGO — Simple Mills has earned verification under the Non-UPF Verified Standard, a third-party certification from the Non-GMO Project that identifies foods made without excessive industrial processing, while verifying products that are made primarily of minimally processed ingredients and free from hyper-engineered additives.

“From day one we set out to make food differently, by using stunningly simple ingredients that not only offer exceptional taste and texture, but provide meaningful nourishment,” said Katlin Smith, founder and chief executive officer of Simple Mills. “Our team has always believed in this vision and led the way in reimagining beloved foods by pioneering the use of unique nutrient-dense nut, seed, vegetable, and legume flours that make it easier for consumers to get more from their snacks. We’re thrilled to see the industry establishing a standard that offers consumers the transparency they deserve — and makes it easier for them to choose better options they can feel good about.”

Simple Mills said each of the ingredients in its crackers, cookies, bars and baking mixes are whole food sources that offer nutrition, taste and texture. Its ingredients are minimally processed “using only gentle, physical extraction methods and no harsh chemicals,” Simple Mills said. In addition, the company never uses artificial flavors, colors, preservatives or isolated gums, and only uses sweeteners like coconut sugar, molasses, honey and cane sugar.

Simple Mills said 20 of its products, or approximately 40% of its total portfolio, have been approved under the Non-UPF Verified Standard. The remainder of the portfolio is expected to be verified later this year, the company said. Simple Mills was acquired by Flowers Foods for $795 million in February 2025.

 “These early verified brands, like Simple Mills, have played a critical role in strengthening the Non-UPF Verified Standard through real-world application,” said Megan Westgate, founder and CEO at the Non-GMO Project. “We are so grateful for their participation because they helped ensure the program is both rigorous and workable, reflecting what responsible food production looks like in practice.”

The Non-GMO Project published the first version of its Non-UPF Verified Standard certification in November 2025. Independent technical administrators separate from the Non-GMO Project evaluate each product that seeks Non-UPF Verification on ingredient integrity and formulation as well as processing limits. The standard does not evaluate nutrient content claims, overall nutrient adequacy or dietary suitability.

Ingredient integrity and formulation include a prohibition on non-nutritive sweeteners and limits on refined added sugar. Gums/hydrocolloids, oils and colors also are considered. The standard distinguishes between permissible, conditional and prohibited processing methods. It requires that products be composed primarily of minimally processed ingredients and free from high-impact chemical, structural, thermal and biological modification.

Founded in 2007, the Non-GMO Project also offers a butterfly seal that verifies whether food products do or do not contain genetically modified organisms (GMOs).