Enough Guessing – Let’s Get This Nutrition Thing Figured Out

Yes, protecting your genetic data is our top priority. As consumers of genomics products ourselves, privacy and security is of utmost importance. Our servers, where we score genetics data, receive data files through a secured encrypted connection. The servers themselves are fully compliant with the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (or “HIPAA”) passed in 1996. HIPAA was put in place to ensure that sensitive health and medical information was protected by added measures of security. Our genetics web applications run on Amazon Web Services (“AWS”). You can read about AWS security protocols here.

Our genetics laboratory, based in San Diego, California, is Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments (“CLIA”) certified. Medicaire and Medicaid Services regulates lab testing in the United States to ensure quality. Our lab meets with CLIA protocols. The laboratory server farm is also located in San Diego, California at the ScaleMatrix facility.

No. In addition to ensuring compliance with HIPAA, we take things a step further. We do not store any genetic data from our customers on our server long term after nutrition plans have been processed. The 23andme files are deleted automatically after they have been scored. The files from our lab are only kept for short term storage which gives customers the opportunity to access their raw data files, should they choose to do so.

There is a record of the genes, orSNPs, themselves that we use in scoring customers into unique diet types. We need this information to power the nutrition app, but the raw data file itself is automatically deleted from our server once the 23andme nutrition plan is processed.

Once deleted, we no longer have access to these files unless you choose to share them with us again at a future time. We never share your data with a third party and do not use the data you provide for any reason other than to deliver you nutrition insights. Should Gene Food ever be acquired by a third party, the purchaser would not gain access to any of the genetic data files from our customers as they are scrubbed from our servers.

Our lab uses the latest in genetic testing technology to ensure you receive the most accurate results possible. Our lab uses Chip and Global Screening Array (GSA) manufactured by Illumina to provide the best microarray analysis service possible. Our lab’s GSA is comprised of a highly optimized, universal genome-wide backbone that can generate clinical research variants and track sample content. The goal is accurate reporting that is certified by Illumina, one of the most trusted names in genetic testing worldwide.

For 23andme and Ancestry plans:

Our nutrition plans based on Ancestry and 23andme raw data are digital products that cannot be returned once accessed. As a result, we offer refunds for these plans only prior to logging in and accessing the nutrition plan. If you haven’t yet logged in and would like to request a refund, please use the Website Contact Form and we will respond within 24 hours.

For test kits:

Returns are accepted for unopened kits. Notify us of the refund request through our Website Contact Form. Unopened kits sent back to Gene Food within 14 days of receipt will receive a partial refund of 75%.

In order to receive a 75% refund on your kit purchased from Gene Food, test kits are required to be sent back unopened, undamaged and unused in original, sealed packaging.

If the kit has been opened but not used or processed, or if you notify us of your request for a refund prior to receiving your nutrition plan results, customers are eligible for a refund of 50% of the price paid for the test kit. Please note: in the case of test kits, we cannot offer a refund after the nutrition plan has been issued and results have been sent.