What are GMO Foods?
Like humans, all organisms have genetic material. When scientists alter genetic material, or DNA, it's called genetic modification (GM). Genetically modifying foods or food crops can enhance taste and quality, increase nutrients or improve resistance to pests and disease. In some cases, GM foods help conserve natural resources, because the altered version might require less water or energy for processing.
Are you consuming food made using genetically modified (GM) crops? You probably are, even if you're not aware of it. How to shop if you are avoiding GMO’s.
b) “organic”- at least 95% of ingredients are organic. The remaining 5% has to be non-GMO.
c) “made with organic (name of ingredient)”- 70% of ingredients are organic. The remaining 30% has to be non-GMO.
Are you consuming food made using genetically modified (GM) crops? You probably are, even if you're not aware of it. How to shop if you are avoiding GMO’s.
- Try and avoid “At Risk” Ingredients. The commonest crops that are genetically modified are Soy (91%) Canola (88%) Corn (85%) Cotton (71%) Sugar Beets (90%) and Hawaiian papaya (more than 50%). So in general, avoid foods with ingredients derived from corn or soybeans.
- Try and avoid Processed foods in general. This is the most reliable way to prevent purchasing GM foods as most processed foods have GMO ingredients in them. Processed foods using products made from corn and soybeans contain the most GM ingredients.
- Try and avoid factory farmed animal products. Most factory farmed animals and fish are fed GM feed. Buy “organic”, “wild caught” (fish) or meat and dairy from 100% grass –fed animals. Do not buy dairy products from cows injected with GM bovine growth hormone (rbGH or rbST)
- Buy Organic. Organic foods can be labeled in 3 different ways,
b) “organic”- at least 95% of ingredients are organic. The remaining 5% has to be non-GMO.
c) “made with organic (name of ingredient)”- 70% of ingredients are organic. The remaining 30% has to be non-GMO.
- Look for “non-GMO” labels. Companies may voluntarily choose to label their products as “non-GMO” . Some labels are non specific and just state “non-GMO” while others are more specific and spell out “made without genetically modified ingredients”.