Genetically Modified Food Products Many people don't realize that genetically modified food products are in the supermarket now. In fact, most processed food contains genetically modified ingredients. One of the reasons to eat organic food is to avoid these products. If you buy your food at supermarkets or restaurants, you eat genetically engineered food. An estimated 70% of processed food sold in the United States contains genetically modified ingredients. Genetically modified foods are not labeled. The only way to avoid them is to buy food labeled "100% USDA Organic" or to use the shopping guide linked below. Genetically Modified Food Products In The U.S.U.S. genetically modified crops currently sold are:
In the U.S., 89% of soy and 61% of corn is genetically modified. Because these are two of the most common ingredients in processed food, most processed food will contain one or both. Soy appears in your food as soy flour, oil, protein, and dozens of additives; corn as cornmeal, oil, corn syrup (used almost universally in place of sugar, such as in soda pop), and dozens of additives. The Institute for Responsible Technology:
Genetically Modified Ingredients Overview
Beet sugar makes up half of the refined sugar in the U.S. Like corn and soy, refined sugar is found in the majority of processed foods. Wellness Resources:
Monsanto's Toxic and Mutated World - Is Sugar Safe to Eat?
What's Wrong With Genetically Modified Food?None of these crops were engineered for better nutrition, taste, or yield. Most varieties were created to tolerate herbicide--to survive a lethal dose of the seed manufacturer's proprietary herbicide, which the farmer is required to buy along with the seed--and/or to manufacture its own pesticide. (Less than 1% of GM crops--zucchini, squash, and papaya--are modified for virus resistance.)The Institute for Responsible Technology: Health Dangers Q & A How To Avoid Genetically Modified Food ProductsThe Institute for Responsible Technology and the Center for Food Safety sponsor an excellent site that reviews brand name food for genetically modified ingredients.The Non-GMO Shopping Guide Return from Genetically Modified Food Products to Reasons To Eat Organic Food Return to Getting Started With Healthy Eating Home |
Related Pages
Why Organic?What are Organic Foods?
Taste of Organic
Pesticides in Food
Hormones in Meat
Hormones in Milk
Which Foods to Buy Organic?