Does Whole Foods have non-organic products?

November 17, 2025 •

3 min read

Despite its reputation as an organic-only retailer, Whole Foods Market does sell conventional, non-organic products in its stores. While the company is the only nationally certified organic grocer in the US, this certification pertains to its handling processes for organic goods, not to the exclusion of conventional items.

Quick Summary

Whole Foods Market offers a wide variety of both organic and conventional items across its departments, including produce, meat, and packaged goods. While the store maintains rigorous quality standards for all products, shoppers can find non-organic choices, often from conventional brands or their own 365 line. Shoppers must look for specific USDA organic labels to ensure a product is organic.

Key Points

Yes, Whole Foods sells conventional products: While known for organic items, Whole Foods stocks a significant amount of non-organic, conventional goods across all departments.
Not everything is organic: Shoppers must actively check labels for specific 'Organic' markings, as the presence of an item at Whole Foods does not automatically guarantee organic certification.
High internal standards apply to all products: All food at Whole Foods, regardless of organic status, must meet the company's baseline quality standards, including bans on specific ingredients like high-fructose corn syrup.
Look for the USDA Organic Seal: For guaranteed organic items, particularly produce and packaged goods, the most reliable indicator is the official USDA Organic Seal.
365 Everyday Value includes both options: The store's private label offers both organic and conventional items, providing a more affordable way to access Whole Foods' quality standards.
Non-organic meat meets welfare standards: Even non-organic meat at Whole Foods is sourced from animals raised under specific animal welfare standards, ensuring a higher ethical baseline than conventional meat from other supermarkets.
Clear labeling helps distinguish products: The store uses clear signage and labeling practices in departments like produce to help customers differentiate between organic and conventional options.

Demystifying the Whole Foods Product Selection

Whole Foods Market has a strong brand identity built around high-quality, natural, and organic food. However, many shoppers are surprised to learn that not every item on its shelves is organic. The company's business model is designed to cater to a variety of customer needs, including those who prefer or require conventional options. Understanding how the store's inventory is structured can help you shop more efficiently and align your purchases with your preferences.

The Purpose Behind Offering Non-Organic Options

Offering both organic and conventional products allows Whole Foods to appeal to a broader customer base. Some customers prioritize other factors over organic certification, such as local sourcing, specific dietary needs like gluten-free or vegan, or a lower price point. By providing a spectrum of choices, Whole Foods can serve these different consumer segments while still upholding its core quality standards, which ban over 200 ingredients from its food products regardless of organic status.

How to Identify Non-Organic Products at Whole Foods

Navigating the aisles can be straightforward if you know what to look for. Here's a quick guide:

Produce Department: In the fruits and vegetables section, produce is typically labeled clearly. Organic items will have a sign explicitly stating "Organic," and may have a sticker with a 5-digit PLU code beginning with a '9'. Conventional items are marked simply with the item name and price, and may have a 4-digit PLU code.
Packaged Goods: For pantry staples and processed foods, the USDA Organic Seal is the most reliable indicator of an organic product in the US. If a product doesn't feature this seal, it is not certified organic, even if it carries a "natural" label. Some products may say "Made with Organic Ingredients," which means they contain at least 70% organic content but are not fully certified.
Meat and Seafood: Whole Foods sets high standards for all its meat and poultry, including mandatory animal welfare certifications for fresh beef, pork, chicken, and lamb. However, only products explicitly labeled as "Organic" meet USDA organic standards, which include requirements for feed and antibiotics. The store also offers a wide selection of conventional meat that still adheres to its strict internal quality protocols.

Comparison: Organic vs. Conventional Shopping at Whole Foods


Feature	Organic Products	Conventional Products
Certification	Must be USDA certified organic.	No organic certification required.
Sourcing	Adheres to strict regulations for growing, handling, and processing, prohibiting GMOs and most synthetic pesticides.	Must still meet Whole Foods' internal, rigorous quality standards, which ban over 200 specific food ingredients.
Pesticide Use	Prohibits the use of toxic persistent pesticides and synthetic fertilizers.	Adheres to legal limits and Whole Foods' additional, stricter pesticide restrictions.
Labeling	Explicitly marked with the USDA Organic Seal or "Organic".	No organic label. May feature other certifications like "Responsibly Grown" or "Animal Welfare Certified".
Price	Typically higher due to farming and processing costs.	Often more affordable, especially compared to name-brand organics.
Availability	Extensive selection across most categories.	A wide array of choices, especially for produce and packaged goods.

The Role of Whole Foods' Own Brand: 365 Everyday Value

The 365 Everyday Value brand is a key component of Whole Foods' inventory and exemplifies the organic/conventional mix. The brand offers both certified organic and conventional products. For example, you can find 365 organic milk alongside 365 conventional milk. All 365 products, regardless of their organic status, are formulated to avoid bioengineered ingredients. This allows shoppers to find high-quality, Whole Foods-approved products at a more competitive price point compared to some other brands in the store.

Conclusion

In summary, the answer to "Does Whole Foods have non-organic?" is a definitive yes. While the company is a champion of the organic movement, it has always offered conventional products that meet its own rigorous internal standards for quality and sourcing. Shoppers can find non-organic options throughout the store, from the produce aisle to packaged goods and meat departments. The key to successful shopping is paying close attention to the product labels, specifically looking for the USDA Organic Seal if an organic product is desired, or understanding that conventional options are still subject to strict ingredient bans at Whole Foods. This dual approach ensures that Whole Foods serves a diverse customer base with different priorities while maintaining its overall commitment to higher quality standards than a typical supermarket. By being an informed shopper, you can easily find the right products for your needs.

Whole Foods Market: Quality Standards

Frequently Asked Questions

No, not all produce at Whole Foods is organic. The store sells a mix of both organic and conventional (non-organic) fruits and vegetables. Organic produce is clearly marked with 'Organic' signage and typically features a PLU code starting with '9'.

Organic refers to a strict, legally defined USDA certification that governs how a product is grown, handled, and processed. 'Natural' is a less-regulated term, but at Whole Foods, it means the product meets the store's high quality standards, which ban over 200 specific food ingredients.

Yes, Whole Foods sells conventional meat in addition to organic options. While the organic meat meets USDA organic standards, all meat sold in the store, both organic and conventional, must meet the company's high animal welfare and quality standards.

No, the 365 Everyday Value house brand includes both organic and conventional items. You should check the product's packaging for the USDA Organic seal to confirm if a specific 365 item is organic.

Whole Foods sells both organic products (which prohibit GMOs by definition) and conventional products. The company recommends choosing certified organic or Non-GMO Project Verified items if you wish to avoid GMOs. All 365 by Whole Foods Market products are also formulated to avoid bioengineered ingredients.

To identify an organic packaged item, look for the official USDA Organic Seal on the product's packaging. You can also read the ingredient list, which must specify which ingredients are organic.

Yes, Whole Foods bans more than 200 ingredients from all food products sold in its stores, including high-fructose corn syrup, artificial colors, flavors, and certain preservatives. This applies to both organic and conventional items.