GMO Labeling, Resources, And Healthy Shopping Tips

The last time we asked, “Are GMOs Safe To Eat?” Today we conclude this series on GMO facts with an exploration of the labeling issue, a listing GMO resources, and a few healthy shopping tips.

Are GMOs Products Labeled?

Unfortunately, even though polls consistently show that a significant majority of Americans would like to know if the food they’re purchasing contains GMOs, the U.S. federal government has chosen not to require that companies disclose that information.

Of course, my first reaction is: buy only fresh, locally-grown food by your trusty farmers and avoid processed foods at all cost. But if you cannot afford to do so, you now have a choice.

Since our government is not taking action to protect us from these contaminated and potentially dangerous products, a non profit group was created: the Non-GMO Project. If you are concerned about what your food contains, please check their site at: http://www.nongmoproject.org/

What is the Non-GMO Project?

The Non-GMO Project is a non-profit organization committed to preserving and building sources of non-GMO products, educating consumers, and providing verified non-GMO food choices.

The Non-GMO Project offers North Americans the only third-party verification for products produced according to rigorous best practices for GMO avoidance. We require that every single batch of major risk ingredient used in a verified product (for example those made from corn, soy, etc.) is tested before use, and is below our action threshold of 0.9%.

Absence of all GMO contamination is the goal for all Non-GMO Project Verified Products, and their standard use of combination of traceability, segregation and testing requirements toward that end. Participants are verified through a rigorous examination of quality control documentation, including test results. Companies using major risk ingredients require an on-site audit prior to verification and evaluation is repeated an annual basis.

What should be our Goal as Consumers?

As a consumer concerned with what is hidden in the food we and our families eat daily we need to spread the word out that GMOs are not good for our health and our environment. There need to be such a huge mass of us raising hell, complaining, writing letters to our elected officials, posting on Facebook, Google + and Twitter that the food companies offering these tainted products start to realize that OUR purchasing power is used ONLY to buy clean food without GMO.

As soon as they realize they are loosing business, they will do as all food businesses did in Europe and not only switch to non-GMO food sources but brag about it on their packages. Of course, stay careful and skeptical of their claims and make sure they REALLY match their claims on their packaging with the composition of the products inside.

For that, we have a few groups to thank for their action. For more information and action, please check:

• The Institute for Responsible Technology is a great site that educates you about GMOs and their dangers, at http://www.responsibletechnology.org/
• The Cornucopia Institute, at www.cornucopia.org
• The Organic Consumer Association at www.organicconsumers.org and their join their Millions against Monsanto campaign. Here’s information on your organic Thanksgiving dinner: http://www.organicconsumers.org/gelink.cfm

Educational Videos on GMO Issues

• Even farm animals refuse to eat GMO feed
• Scientists under attack
• Cap the GMO gene spill
• Fraudulent GMO research
• Are you already a human pesticides factory?
• Do you really want to feed that GMO baby food to your baby?

Healthy Food Shopping Suggestions

While waiting for our government to take action as we keep pressure on them to inform us, we can still eat healthy by following these simple suggestions:

• Buy certified organic foods. They are not allowed to intentionally contain GMOs and are controlled better than the rest of the food chain.
• Buy your locally-grown fresh food at your local farmers’ market from sustainable farmers you know and trust – even if they are not organic certified which is a program too expensive for small farmers to follow.
• Avoid at-risk ingredients such as corn, soybeans, canola, cottonseed, and sugar beets.
• If you have the space and the knowledge, grow your own food in your backyard, community garden or any plot of land you can rent.
• Buy from certified Non-GMO providers at www.NonGMOShoppingGuide.com. They offer a wide range of products from Alternative Dairy products to Vitamins and Supplements. They even include a section on invisible GM ingredients. They may be a little more expensive but your peace of mind is worth it. They even have an I-phone app and an Android version is coming soon. See more at: http://www.nongmoshoppingguide.com/shopping-guide.html or get the PDF version at: http://mercola.fileburst.com/PDF/GMObrochure.pdf.
• Even with the Non-GMO efforts I would suggest caution and skepticism. There is a BIG difference between Enrolled (these companies have signed up to be verified but have NOT been verified yet) and Verified where the products manufactured by these companies have actually been tested for GMO food sources. It does not necessarily mean that the manufacturer is lying but maybe, just maybe, their suppliers are not forthright about their food or they’re not really sure and have not gone through the trouble of having their food properly analyzed. Don’t ask, don’t tell maybe their policy. So it becomes your responsibility to check actual facts.
• As in all such groups, there is room for error. Please double-check their facts with the Cornucopia Institute’s database for better accuracy at: http://www.cornucopia.org/2011/10/natural-vs-organic-cereal/, for example.

I hope I have given you enough information to help you know what dangers are lurking out there in your grocery store’s aisle. Even if you do not choose to fight the good fight for healthy food in your life, I want you to be informed enough so that you and your loved ones stay alive and healthy for a long time.

To Your Health,

Chef Alain Braux