How to Avoid Foods Made with Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs)

How to Avoid Foods Made with Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs)

Presented by Dr. Jonathon Mainieri

Chiropractor in Lone Tree, CO

Genetic Engineering (GE) or Genetic Modification (GM) of food involves the laboratory process of artificially inserting genes into the DNA of food crops or animals. The result is called a genetically modified organism or GMO. GMOs can be engineered with genes from bacteria, viruses, insects, animals, or even humans. Most American say they would not eat GMOs if labeled, but unlike most other industrialized countries, the U.S. does not require labeling. This Non-GMO Shopping Guide is designed to help require labeling. This Non-GMO shopping Guide is designed to help reclaim your right to know about the foods you are buying, and help you find and avoid GMO foods and ingredients. It does not cover other potentially harmful ingredients, allergens, colors or additives.

Tips for avoiding GM crops

Tip #1: Buy Organic

Certified organic products are not allowed to contain any GMOs. Therefore, when you purchase products labeled “100% organic,” “organic,” or “made with organic ingredients,” all ingredients in these products are not allowed to be produced from GMOs. For example, products labeled as “made with organic ingredients” only require 70% of the ingredients to be organic, but 100% must be non-GMO.

Tip #2: Look for “Non-GMO” Labels

Companies may voluntarily label products as “non-GMO.” Some labels state “non-GMO” while others spell out “Made Without Genetically Modified Ingredients.” Products that carry the Non-GMO Project Seal have third party verification as being in compliance with Non-GMO Project standards for GMO avoidance. Some products limit their claim to only one particular “At-Risk” ingredient such as soy lecithin, listing in as “non-GMO.” Look for dairy products labeled ‘No rBGH or rBST,” or “artificial hormone-free.”

Tip #3: Avoid At-Risk Ingredients

Avoid products made with any of the crops that are GM. Most EM ingredients are products made from the “Big Four.” Corn, soybeans, canola, and cottonseed, used in processed foods. Some of the most common genetically engineered Big Four ingredients in processed foods are:

Corn

• Corn flour, meal, oil, starch, gluten, and syrup

• Sweeteners such a fructose, dextrose, and glucose

• Modified food starch

Soy

• Soy flour, lecithin, protein, isolate, and isoflavone

• Vegetable oil and vegetable protein

Canola Canola Oil (also called rapeseed oil)

Cotton Cottonseed oil

In addition, GM sugar beet sugar recently entered the food supply. Look for organic and non-GMO sweeteners, candy and chocolate products made with 100% cane sugar, evaporated cane juice or organic sugar, to avoid GM beet sugar. Sugar Anything not listed as 100% cane sugar.

Click here to download the free shopping guide! (Adobe file)