October is Non-GMO month, but most people probably don’t even know what a GMO is. I didn’t until a few months ago. But once I found out, I knew I didn’t want GMOs anywhere near my food.
A GMO is a Genetically Modified Organism, one that has been created by scientists through genetic engineering. These organisms allow us to manipulate and combine the DNA of different species to form combinations of plants, animals and bacterias that don’t exist naturally. For a more scientific explanation visit the Non-GMO Project’s website. Proponents of GMOs argue that they increase crop production, thereby allowing farmers to feed more people with their harvest, and they reduce the use of herbicides and insecticides. Sounds fantastic right? Well, we’ve all heard the adage, “If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is” and the GMO controversy is no exception. A growing body of scientific research has not only refuted the aforementioned “benefits” of GMOs but have also found them to be toxic, allergenic and a disruption to our natural ecosystem. Plus GM foods aren’t properly tested for human safety before being sold, according to a fantastic study titled GM Crops: Just the Science.
While it’s nearly impossible to eat foods that are completely GMO free due to pollen drifts and cross contamination, a growing number of food companies are now committed to producing foods that contain as few GMOs as humanly possible. Many of these retailers banded together to create the Non-GMO Project whose seal, Non-GMO Project Verified, can be found on the packaging of foods that have been rigorously tested and contain ingredients that are below 0.9% GMO.
So what can you do? Start supporting retailers who care about producing products that are safe for consumers. If you shop at Whole Foods you’ll be happy to know that their 365 Everyday Value brand has been enrolled in the program and many of these products now carry the seal. Other “safe” retailers include Annie’s Homegrown, Earth’s Best Organic, Garden of Eatin’, Kettle Brand, Popcorn Indiana, Straus Family Creamery and Organic Valley. You can find a full list of products at the Non GMO website.
As with anything in life, this isn’t an all or nothing enterprise. Do what you can. But if we buy products from retailers with a conscience, grocery store owners will continue to stock those brands, as well as others who follow the same practices. Say no to GMOs. Soon your supermarket will have no choice but to do so as well.
Michelle Hainer | Contributor
Michelle Hainer is a freelance writer and editor whose work has appeared in numerous national publications including InStyle, Country Living, Real Simple, The Washington Post, People, Teen People, and Parenting. A former teen magazine editor, Michelle’s covered everything from pregnancy to peer pressure, but these days she writes mainly on the subjects she is most passionate about: cooking, crafting, traveling, and of course, eating. (She’s never met a potato or a piece of dark chocolate she didn’t like.) Michelle loves to knit and to cook, though not simultaneously. Visit her blog, Made By Michelle, below.
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