Green Parenting: Genetically Engineered Food- To Label or Not To Label?

Our food, it’s like our water, we need it to live. If you are like me, I LOVE to eat and I’ve become a bit more concerned about what I put into my mouth and what I cook for my family.

Perusing my Facebook page (you know where 48% of us find out about our news now) and a friend had liked a page from the Organic Cosumers Association about a Genetically Engineered Food Right to Know Act. I clicked on it to find out more because, you know, I LIKE to know things.

Well what I found opened up a whole new world of wows. Apparently genetically engineered food began back in 1996 with tomatoes having their DNA altered so they would ripen without softening. Now there are over 12 different plant-based foods that are genetically altered and sold in the U.S. (where the majority of genetically modified foods are grown). Here are some more facts I found out about GM foods (sometimes called GMOs).

• Genetic modification involves the insertion or deletion of genes.
• 80% of non-organic supermarket processed foods (basically every product containing soy, corn, canola, cottonseed oil, sugar beet derivatives or ingredients from animals fed soy or corn) have genetically modified organisms.
• While nearly everyone in North America has eaten genetically modified foods, only 26% believe that they have.
• Genetically modified foods aren’t labeled.
• 93% of soybeans & 86% of corn sold in US are modified
• European Union, Japan, Malaysia and Australia, governments have required labeling so consumers can exercise choice between foods that have genetically modified, conventional or organic origins.
• Many countries worldwide have banned some or all GM foods, including France, Venezuela, Hungary & India.
• A 5-digit Price Look-Up code beginning with the digit 8 indicates genetically modified food [64]; however the absence of the digit does not necessarily indicate the food is not genetically modified.
• FDA does not approve the safety of engineered foods, but after its review, acknowledges that the developer of the food has asserted that it is safe.

And there is so much more out there about GM foods and their effects on our food supply. Take a moment to find out more but be aware, our children are the first generation to have ingested foods that are almost entirely genetically modified.