How to Avoid Genetically Modified Food

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How to Avoid Genetically Modified Food

http://www.wikihow.com/Avoid-Genetically-Modified-Foods

 

 

Whether genetically modified (GM) foods are beneficial or harmful is still

controversial, but some people would prefer to avoid them until the evidence is

clear. Most foods we eat may contain ingredients derived from genetically

modified organisms (GMOs)--everything from baby formula and food to our dairy to

even our meat. If you live in Europe, avoiding GM foods is easier since laws

require labeling. However in the US and Canada food manufacturers are not

required to label if their food is genetically modified or not. As such, here

are some guidelines for steering clear of GM foods in your diet, if that is your

choice.

 

 

 

 

[edit] Steps

Become familiar with the most common applications of genetic modification.

These are the products (and their derivatives) that are most likely to be

genetically modified:

 

 

Soybeans - Gene taken from bacteria (Agrobacterium sp. strain CP4) and

inserted into soybeans to make them more resistant to herbicides.[1] See How to

Live With a Soy Allergy for more information on avoiding soy products.

Corn - Gene from the lepidoptera pathogen microorganism Bacillus

thuringiensis inserted into corn genome to produce the Bt toxin, which poisons

insect pests.[2] May be present in high fructose corn syrup which is prevalent

in a wide variety of foods in America.

Rapeseed/Canola - Gene added/transferred to make crop more resistant to

pesticides

Sugar cane - Gene added/transferred to make crop more resistant to

pesticides

Rice - Genetically modified to resist herbicides; not currently available

for human consumption, but trace amounts of one GM long-grained variety

(LLRICE601) may have entered the food supply in the USA and Europe.[3]More

recently, golden rice, a different strain of rice has been engineered to produce

significantly higher levels of beta carotene, which the body uses to procduce

vitamin A. Golden rice is still undergoing testing to determine if it is safe

for human consumption.[4]

Cotton - Used for making cottonseed oil.

Dairy - Cows injected with GE hormone rBGH/rBST; possibly fed GM grains

and hay.

 

 

 

Buy food labeled 100% organic. The US and Canadian governments do not allow

manufacturers to label something 100% organic if that food has been genetically

modified or been fed genetically modified feed. However, you may find that

organic food is more expensive and different in appearance from conventional

products. Also, just because something says " organic " on it does not mean that

it does not contain GMs. In fact, it can still contain up to 30% GMs, so be sure

the labels say 100% organic.

 

 

This applies to eggs, as well. Eggs labeled " free-range " , " natural " , or

" cage-free " are not necessarily GE-free; look for eggs to be 100% organic.[5]

 

 

 

Purchase beef that is 100% grass-fed. Most cattle in the U.S. are grass-fed,

but spend the last portion of their lives in feedlots where they may be given GM

grain, the purpose of which is to increase intramuscular fat and marbling. If

you're looking to stay away from GMOs, make sure the cattle were 100% grass-fed

or pasture-fed (sometimes referred to as grass-finished or pasture-finished).

The same applies to meat from other herbivores such as sheep. There is also the

slight possibility that the animals were fed GM alfalfa, although this is less

likely if you buy meat locally. With non-ruminants like pigs and poultry that

cannot be 100% grass-fed, it's better to look for meat that is 100% organic.

GMO-free marshmallows

 

 

Seek products that are specifically labeled as non-GM or GMO-free. However, it

is rare to find products labeled as such. You can also research websites that

list companies and foods that do not use genetically modified foods, [6], but be

aware that information is often incomplete and conflicting interests may not be

declared.

Shop locally. Although more than half of all GM foods are produced in the

US,[7] most of it comes from large, industrial farms. By shopping at farmers'

markets, signing up for a subscription from a local Community Supported

Agriculture (CSA) farm, or patronizing a local co-op, you may be able to avoid

GM products and possibly save money at the same time.

 

 

More and more small farms are offering grains and meat directly to

customers, in addition to the usual fare (vegetables, fruit, herbs).

Inspecting non-GMO cabbage

 

 

Shopping locally may also give you the opportunity to speak to the farmer and

find out how he or she feels about GMOs and whether or not they use them in

their own operation.

 

 

 

Buy whole foods. Favor foods that you can cook and prepare yourself, rather

than foods that are processed or prepared (e.g. anything that comes in a box or

a bag, including fast food). What you lose in convenience, you may recover in

money saved and satisfaction gained, as well as increased peace of mind. Try

cooking a meal from scratch once or twice a week--you may enjoy it and decide to

do it more often.

 

 

 

 

 

[edit] Tips

If you have the land, time, and resources, grow your own food. As long as you

make sure you're not buying GM seeds, and aren't near any GM plants which could

cross-pollinate, you'll know for sure that the food which comes from your garden

is not genetically modified.

At chain and non-chain restaurants, you can ask which, if any, of their foods

contain GMs, but the wait and kitchen staff are not likely to know.

Producers who label their food GM-free aren't making any health claims

regarding the product.