Foodstuffs are often genetically modified to make them resistant to disease, increase their nutritional content, or improve their ability to grow in different climatic conditions. Food and drug regulatory agencies in the United States (Food and Drug Administration, FDA) have authorized, as well as regulate the use of genetically modified organisms (GMOs). While it is generally agreed that genetically modified foodstuffs do not carry a greater risk to human health than conventional foodstuffs, there are several studies that indicate that such foodstuffs may be harmful to health and the environment.
Many of the foods we eat today may contain genetically modified ingredients, and you should be able to make your own choices about what to eat. If you live in continental Europe, avoiding genetically modified foods may be easy, as the laws there require clear labeling. However, in the US and Canada, food manufacturers are not required to mark their products as genetically modified or not.
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Method 1 of 2: Shopping for Food
Step 1. Buy foods that are labeled 100% organic
The US and Canadian governments do not allow food manufacturers to label genetically modified foodstuffs, or meat products fed genetically modified feeds with the 100% organic mark. Organic food ingredients may cost more, and they may look slightly different than conventional products.
- Trusted organic certification bodies include the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), Quality Assurance International (QAI), Oregon Tilth, and California Certified Organic Farmers (CCOF). Look for labels issued by one of these agencies on the products you buy.
- Also, just because a food is declared "organic" doesn't mean it doesn't contain genetically modified ingredients. In fact, these products can still contain up to 30% of genetically modified products. So, make sure to look for the 100% organic label. Eggs labeled free-range (free range), or natural does not automatically mean free of genetically modified ingredients. Look for eggs that are labeled 100% organic.
Step 2. Identify fruit and vegetable label codes
The PLU (price look up) code can be found on the label of the product you purchased. This code can be used to verify genetically modified foods.
- If it consists of 4 digits, the food is produced conventionally. Products like these may or may not contain genetically modified ingredients.
- If it consists of 5 digits and starts with the number 8, the food contains genetically modified ingredients. However, do not assume that all genetically modified products will carry the code, as this is not required.
- If it consists of 5 digits and starts with 9, the food is organic and not genetically modified.
Step 3. Purchase animal products that are fed 100% grass
Most farm animals in the US are grass-fed, but while in the slaughterhouse, these animals may be fed genetically modified corn, which aims to increase their muscle mass and fat content. If you want to stay away from GMO products, make sure the animal products you choose are marked with 100% grass feed or pasture feed (sometimes interpreted as being fed grass or pasture feed until it is cut).
- Some animal products such as pork and chicken cannot be fed 100% grass. In this case, look for meat that is labeled 100% organic.
- You should also buy fresh caught fish, rather than farmed fish. Farmed fish may be fed genetically modified food products.
Step 4. Look for products that are specifically labeled GMO-free or non-GMO
Products like this are initially quite rare in the market, however, thanks to the efforts of various organizations such as the Non-GMO Project, products with such labels are becoming easier to find. You can also browse websites that list companies and food products that do not use genetically modified feed, but note that some of the information on them is often incomplete, and competition in business may not be stated.
Step 5. Shop for local products
More than half of genetically modified products are produced in the US, by large industrial plantations. By shopping directly at a farmer's market, signing up for a subscription to local food products, or supporting a local farmer's cooperative, you may be able to avoid genetically modified products and save money.
- Shopping for local produce also gives you the opportunity to speak directly to farmers and find out their views on GMO products, and whether they use them in their farms.
- Buying local ingredients doesn't guarantee you can avoid GMO products. Many farmers use genetically modified seeds.
Step 6. Buy fresh food
Choose foods that you can cook and prepare yourself, rather than processed or ready-to-eat products (such as canned or packaged products, including fast food). Even though it's a bit of a hassle, you can actually save money and be more satisfied and calmer while enjoying it. Try to cook fresh produce once or twice a week; You'll probably like it, and want to do it more often.
Step 7. Grow your own groceries
If you grow your own food, be sure to buy non-genetically modified seeds. That way, you can be sure of what you're planting, and everything that goes into growing it.
Many websites sell non-GMO seeds. You can visit Seed Savers or Seeds Now for non-GMO seeds
Method 2 of 2: Identifying Foods That Are Most Likely to Contain GMOs
Step 1. Identify high-risk plants
These high-risk foodstuffs have most likely been genetically engineered. Crops that have been genetically engineered include soybeans, corn, canola, sugar beet, cotton, Hawaiian papaya, zucchini and pumpkin, and alfalfa.
- Soybeans here are not limited to just soybeans. Read the article on how to live with a soy allergy for more information about soy products. Make sure your soy milk, edamame, and tofu are labeled 100% organic.
- Corn includes cornstarch, oil, starch, gluten, and corn syrup products.
- Canola oil is also known as Rapeseed oil. This ingredient can be found in many processed products. If you're used to using canola oil for cooking, try switching to olive oil.
- Beet sugar is found in sugar products that do not contain 100% cane sugar. Make sure you read the label.
- Cottonseed oil is a common ingredient in vegetable oil, butter, or margarine.
- Many dairy products contain GMOs. Some breeders even inject the hormone rBGH/rBST and/or feed genetically modified products. You should look for dairy products labeled free of rBGH or rBST.
- Hawaiian papaya is a product of genetic engineering. You should buy papayas grown in other regions, such as the Caribbean.
- Alfalfa is usually not consumed directly. Alfalfa is grown as feed for cattle and other livestock. Both organic and genetically modified alfalfa are grown. You can avoid genetically modified alfalfa by buying grass-fed animal products and dairy products that are labeled 100% organic.
Step 2. Be aware of food components derived from GMO plants
Genetically modified plants will produce derivative products that are also genetically modified. If you buy processed products, you should read the labels of the components and avoid the following ingredients: amino acids (in synthetic form, not those naturally found in protein), aspartame, ascorbic acid (synthetic vitamin C), sodium ascorbate, citric acid, sodium citrate, ethanol, natural and artificial flavours, high fructose corn syrup, vegetable protein hydrolyzate, lactic acid, maltodextrin, molasses, monosodium glutamate, sucrose, textured vegetable protein, xanthan gum, vitamins, and yeast products.
About 75% of processed products in convenience stores contain these ingredients. These products include soft drinks, pastries, bread, and chips. You can avoid these ingredients by cooking fresh food and buying food with care
Step 3. Use a shopping guide
There is no way to know all foods contain GMOs. If in doubt, use GMO food guidelines. The Center for Food Safety has created an iPhone and Android app that can help you avoid GMOs when shopping. You can download it or use the online guide.
Step 4. Be careful when eating in restaurants
If you eat out, ask the manager or waiter there if they use organic or GMO products. If they don't use organic produce, avoid tofu, edamame, corn tortillas, potato chips, and other dishes that contain corn or soy. Most foods that contain sugar also contain GMO derivatives.
You should also ask about the oil used for cooking. If they say vegetable oil, margarine, cottonseed oil, or corn oil, ask if your order can be made with olive oil
Tips
- Don't be fooled by the labels "natural" or "100% natural." This label is just a marketing trick and means nothing. Research shows that consumers prefer products labeled "natural" over "organic"! Consumers often assume that "natural" means "organic", but this is not the case in terms of quality or health.
- Manufacturers that label their foods "GMO-free" do not state any health benefits in their products.
- At chain restaurants or not, you can ask if their dish contains GMOs, but the waiter or chef there may not know. So ask what oil they use. Usually one of the following four options: soybean, corn, canola, or cottonseed. You can request that your dish be cooked using butter instead, although it often comes from cows fed GMO corn, butter is a secondary product.
- During certain events (such as Halloween parties) or children's birthday parties, consider giving party toys instead of candy, which often contain GMOs.
