In America, there are no laws currently in place that require genetically modified (or genetrically engineered) ingredients be marked as such on any product packaging. Until leglslation like this is passed (and the sooner, the better!), we have to make the best choices we can with the information we have available to us.
Here are 3 tips to help you avoid GMO's:
Tip #1: Buy Organic
Certified organic products cannot intentionally include any GMO ingredients. Buy products labeled “100% organic”, “organic” or “made with organic ingredients”. You can be doubly sure if the product also has a “Non-GMO Project Verified” seal.
Tip #2: Look for Non-GMO Project Seals
Seek out brands with products verified by the Non-GMO Project, a non-profit organization committed to providing consumers with clearly labeled and independently verified non-GMO choices, including testing of at-risk ingredients. The Non-GMO Project verifies per individual product, not for an entire brand. Visit NonGMOProject.org for more information on the third-party product verification program.
Tip #3: Avoid At-Risk Ingredients
If it’s not labeled organic or verified non-GMO, avoid products made with ingredients that might be derived from GMOs. The eight GM food crops are:
- corn
- soybeans
- canola
- cottonseed
- sugar beets
- papaya from China or Hawaii (most)
- zucchini (minimal)
- yellow squash (minimal)
GM alfalfa is also fed to livestock.
Sugar:
If a non-organic product made in North America lists “sugar” as an ingredient (and NOT pure cane sugar), then it is almost certainly a combination of sugar from both sugar cane and GM sugar beets.
Dairy products
may be from cows injected with GM bovine growth hormone. If it’s not labeled Organic, or Non-GMO Project Verified, look for labels stating No rbGH, rbST, or artificial hormones.Article courtesy of Institute for Responsible Technology, found here.
