Whole Foods Market has set a five-year deadline to label all foods containing genetically modified organisms (GMO) in its U.S. and Canadian stores.

The market announced Friday at California's Natural Products Expo West that the company is now the first national grocery chain to set a deadline for full GMO transparency.

Co-CEO Walter Robb said the move comes in response to client demand and shows support for the consumer’s right to know.

“The prevalence of GMOs in the U.S. paired with nonexistent mandatory labeling makes it very difficult for retailers to source non-GMO options and for consumers to choose non-GMO products," Robb said.

"Accordingly, we are stepping up our support of certified organic agriculture, where GMOs are not allowed, and we are working together with our supplier partners to grow our non-GMO supply chain to ensure we can continue to provide these choices in the future."

The supermarket has already taken other measures on GMO foods, including the 365 Everyday Value™ line run through the Non-GMO Project™ verification. The project currently includes 3,300 products from 250 brands.

Until the 2018 labeling deadline, Whole Foods Market encourages customers concerned with GMO foods to rely on products from the Non-GMO Project™.

The company's seven U.K. stores already require labeling for products that contain or are produced with GMOs.

www.freshfruitportal.com