What exactly are GMO foods? The article states that "genetically modified crops differ in that the plants grow from seeds in which DNA splicing has been used to place genes from another source into a plant. In this way, the crop can be made to withstand a weed-killing pesticide, for example, or incorporate a bacterial toxin that can repel pests." Does this sound crazy and weird to anyone else???
Some interesting facts from the article:
"Used in an estimated 70 percent of all American processed food, genetically modified crops make up 93 percent of all soy, 86 percent of all corn and 93 percent of all canola seeds planted in the U.S., which makes stocking only non-GMO products difficult."
GMO foods are prohibited from being grown in Japan, Europe and Britain.
Labeling of GMO foods is not required by the FDA and they believe that GMO foods do not "differ from other foods in any meaningful or uniform way."
Want to avoid GMO foods? (from the article)
•Look for the Non-GMO Project Verified seal, which is the only third-party-tested verification program in the U.S.
•Choose certified organic foods, which cannot contain genetically modified ingredients or feed (for animals) as part of their certification.
•The most common genetically modified crops are field corn (used for grain, processed food ingredients and animal feed), soy, canola, cotton, alfalfa, sugar beets, wheat, rice and flax, although the last three are not yet commercially grown.
•These crops often are added to processed foods as oils, sweeteners and soy proteins but also can be part of amino acids, aspartame, ascorbic acid, sodium ascorbate, vitamin C, citric acid, sodium citrate, ethanol, flavorings (natural and artificial), hydrolyzed vegetable protein, lactic acid, maltodextrins, microbial growth media, molasses, monosodium glutamate, sucrose, textured vegetable protein, xantham gum, vitamins and yeast products, according to the Non-GMO Project.
•Unless sugar is labeled as pure cane or organic, it likely contains sugar from genetically modified sugar beets.
•Most fresh produce is GMO-free except Hawaiian papaya, crookneck squash, zucchini and a small percentage of sweet corn.
Whole Foods and Trader Joe's say all their store brand items are sourced from non-GMO foods.
Please read the article for more information: http://www.chicagotribune.com/health/ct-met-gmo-food-labeling--20110524,0,5841902.story?page=1
My personal opinion
To be honest, I am not a fan of GMO foods. Anytime human kind starts to play with the DNA of our food, I get a little scared. Sometimes I wonder if we are just too bored or too smart for our own good. No one knows the long-term cost of these foods on our environment or our health. For now, I will follow the recommendations listed above as best as I can.
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| The non-GMO seal from the Non-GMO project |
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