by staff of CityHolistic.com
What exactly are GMOs and how can you choose better foods for you and your family? GMOs stands for genetically modified organisms. Genes from bacteria or viruses are inserted into foods (crops, meat products, milk, fish) to artificially alter its DNA. Foods with GMOs tend to require fewer pesticides and grow faster, allowing the agriculture industry to be more profitable. Yet very little research of GMOs leaves the important questions of safety and long-term health risks. We cannot just assume GMOs are safe for consumption.
According to the American Academy of Environmental Medicine, animal studies signaled serious health risks associated with GM food such as reproductive problems, compromised immunity, accelerated aging, blood sugar imbalances and harm to major organs.
What are some of the most common GMO foods in the grocery store?
- products containing corn: beer, salad dressing, flour, margarine, flour, and corn syrup
- processed products with potatoes
- soy and foods containing soy byproducts: soy milk, cereal, ice cream, chocolate
- milk that is not rBGH free: buy milk from grocers with milk supply from farmers who do not use rBGH (recombinant bovine growth hormone)
- canola oil
- sugar
Even though the FDA approves foods with GMOs being sold in the market, a recent ABC News Poll reported 93% (huge poll number!) want GMOs to be labeled. So, why haven’t we seen them yet? The US is actually lagging in this initiative compared to other developed countries. The European Union, China, and 50 other countries have already set regulations to label genetically engineered foods.
Until the US sets these regulations, consumers still have good news - you can avoid GMOs by choosing organic food. Certified organic farmers are not allowed to use GM seeds in their crops. Here are some quick tips to use:
1. As much as possible, buy organic! You can find organic farmers and organic products on CityHolistic.com under Goods – Organic Farmers.
2. Before shopping, search for verified Non-GMO brands on nongmoproject.org.
3. Make your Non-GMO search mobile by downloading the ShopNoGMO app.
Here’s an excerpt of an Infographic from Nature’s Path Foods about labeling GMOs. How long do you think the US and Canada will require GMO labeling?
References:
View the full Infographic at http://www.naturespath.com/node/6515
http://www.aaemonline.org/gmopressrelease.html
http://abcnews.go.com/Technology/story?id=97567&page=1
http://www.labelgmos.org
http://organic.lovetoknow.com/Which_Foods_Have_GMOs
