How to Know It's GMO
How to Recognize Genetically-modified Food in Your Grocery Store
Surveys show that most Americans would not buy genetically-modified food if it was labeled. However, about three quarters of all the food in an average supermarket contain GMOs in some form. Genetically-modified organisms are big business, and the FDA will not require labeling in the U.S., despite risks to human health, the environment, and farmer's rights. It is up to consumers to educate themselves.
Long-term effects of GMO consumption are not known, and many countries have banned GMOs altogether. Many American supermarket customers feel that their children are being made into involuntary test subjects. Farmers have been protesting genetically-modified seed because these copy-righted life-forms are carried by the wind into non-GMO fields, cross-pollinating with the naturally-evolved. Some seeds are modified to produce sterile plants. This was an ingenious business proposition, which would ensure that farmers bought more seed the next year, but what a detriment to the natural continuation of living diversity on this planet!
Many people are afraid of the possible effects of genetically-modified organisms on the balance of life, and of the unfair patenting that can take away our right to save seeds. There are many reasons to avoid GMOs, but how to do it? The supermarket is very similar to the vast wilderness of old, when a forager had to know which plants were edible and which were harmful, and had always to be aware of hidden dangers. GMOs are like a snake in the grass.
Most genetically modified organisms are found in processed foods containing corn or soy products or sugar from genetically-modified sugar beets. If you want to avoid GMOs you will have to read ingredient labels carefully, or else only buy organic.
Whole Foods Markets have recently announced that they will be labeling their line of generic foods non-GMO. Many food producers are proud to be GMO-free and have adopted a specific symbol to help customers make informed decisions.
Most fresh foods are not genetically-modified. You can be sure that your meat is GMO-free if it is free-range and organically-fed. You can recognize GMO-free produce by the number on the label: A four digit number means it's conventionally grown; if there is an extra nine in front, then it's organic; if it's a five-digit number beginning with eight, then it's a GMO.
Published by Amanda Farrell
In a cabin in the Connecticut woods with my little family. View profile
- Modern Perception on Genetically Modified OrganismsPerceptions over GMOs have changed dramatically since they first entered the food market. This paper analyzes some of the major issues that consumers face worldwide when it comes to the controversy of GMOs.
- What Are Genetically Modified Organisms? A transgenic or genetically modified organisms (GMOs) is a living organism that has been created artificially by manipulating their genes.
The Zen Sheep Farm of Cloverdale, IndianaThis is an article looking at the pros and cons of organic farming and includes an interview with Tom and Nancy Zennie of the Zen Sheep Farm in Cloverdale, Indiana
Tips for Safe Food Storage for the Van DwellerEating out for every meal isn't in the budget, better get some food storage lined up.- Food Safety Modernization Act H.R. 875 Will it Make Organic Food Illegal?With the Food Safety Modernization Act, or HR 875, the federal government is up to it again. Under the guise of a good sounding name another bill has been presented that
- The Great Debate on Genetically Modified Organisms
- Consumer or Privately Driven; Who Benefits from the EU Moratorium on Genetically M...
- Safe Food Handling Tips
- Genetically Modified Organism (GMO) - the Hidden Agenda Of
- Great Home and Small Farm Magazines
- GMO's: Beacons of Hope or Seeds of Destruction?
- Product Review of Spriu-Tein High Protein Energy Meal
- The FDA does not require that genetically-modified foods be labeled.
- It is possible to avoid GMOs, even without labeling.
- Organic foods do not contain GMOs.
7 Comments
Post a CommentThis was a very eye-opening article!
I'm not to afraid of genetically modified foods. I figure, if it has preservatives, they might hang around in my body and preserve me, too. :) Nicely written article.
People have been eating tangerines for a long time now. They are GMO. They're kind of like the mutts of the fruit world and more and more strange mixed fruits are coming out like a grapple - a mix between a grape and an apple.
Food in the past was selectively evolved by saving seeds of plants with desired traits, producing eventually for instance the giant orange carrot from the small white wild version, or by grafting one plant's fruiting branch onto another, such as is done with apples (whose natural genetic variation is too great to accomplish much by saving seeds; the apple does fall far from the tree)-- But GMO soybeans are not made with only soybeans; GMO corn is not made with only corn. Some GMOs contain genes from completely different species, including harmful ones like e.coli. It's kind of scary....
Food has been genetically modified for centuries, what is included in GMO and what not? :)
I used to work as a grocery store cashier, so I had tons and tons of produce code #'s memorized. I knew the 9 at the beginning meant "organic," but I had no idea an 8 = GMO. Very interesting. Great article. :)
"Surveys show that most Americans would not buy genetically-modified food if it was labeled. However, about three quarters of all the food in an average supermarket contain GMOs in some form."
That says it all really. Kind of sad. Proof of the almighty importance of CUSTOMER standards, or the more popular phrase, "Consumer awareness". *scoffs at the word consumer, thinks of helpless infants*
As long as the organically labeled foods truly remain organic, and we do not fall victim to blind trust in the friendly white and green label, all is well.