Genetically
modified foods, also called genetically engineered foods or GM foods are foods produced
from genetically modified organisms (GMOs) to make them more resistant to
disease, increase their ability to grow in a vast climate conditions and
improve their nutritional value. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has
approved the use of GMOs and regulated their use. Some studies show that these
foods can cause harm to your health and the environment, but scientists agree
that foods from genetically modified crops is not inherently worse to human
health than conventional foods.
Many foods
that we eat may involve ingredients derived from GMOs and the matter here is
you should decide how comfortable you’re with the consumption. So how to know
whether foods are genetically modified or not?
Shopping for foods
Buy foods labeled 100% organic
Look for the
mark of approval on the label of the product of your country’s trusted organic
certification institutions. Remember, the label saying “organic” doesn’t mean
it doesn’t contain GMOs. In reality, it can still contain by 30% GMOs, so be
sure the label indicates 100% organic. You may find organic foods are more
expensive and different in appearance from conventional foods.
Recognize vegetable and fruit label numbers
Price lookup
(PLU) codes which can be used to identify if foods are genetically modified are
found on the stickers on your produce. If the code is a 4-digit number, the
food is conventional that may or may not be GM. If the code is a 5-digit number
and begins with an 8, the food is GM. If the code is a 5-digit number beginning
with a 9, it is organic.
Buy 100% grass-fed meat
Some meats
like chicken and pork cannot be 100% grass-fed, so look for meat labeled 100%
certified organic. You should buy wild-caught fish instead of farm-raised fish
because the farm-raised fish are fed with GM grains.
Seek non-GMO or GMO-free label on the products
Thanks to
organizations such as the Non-GMO Project, products labeled as such are
becoming more common. You can also do a research on the internet on listed
companies and foods that do not contain GMOs, but be careful that some
information is often incomplete and confusing.
Shop locally
You may be
able to avoid GM products and possibly save money at the same time if you shop
at farmers’ markets. Shopping locally may also give you a chance to talk to the
farmer and find out whether or not they use them in their own operation. Be
aware that many local farmers use GM seeds.
Buy whole foods
Buying whole
foods not only helps you gain an increased peace of mind but also achieve
satisfaction compared to other processed or prepared foods that are in bags,
cans or boxes…
Grow your own foods
By this way,
you know exactly what ingredients are in the seeds or the foods you eat.
Identifying foods most likely to contain GMOs
Become familiar with high-risk crops
Crops are most
likely to be genetically modified including soy, cotton, corn, sugar beets,
Hawaiian papaya, alfalfa, zucchini and yellow summer squash.
Be aware of ingredients derived from GMO crops
An
ingredient that is derived from the crop is genetically modified, too. If you
buy prepared foods, read the food label and avoid any of these ingredients:
aspartame, amino acids (synthetic form, not naturally existing in protein), sodium
ascorbate, ascorbic acid (synthetic vitamin C), citric acid, molasses, lactic
acid, sucrose, ethanol, natural and artificial flavorings, textured vegetable
protein, hydrolyzed vegetable protein…Nearly 75% of processed foods contain
these ingredients such as soda, cookies, chips and bread.
Use a shopping guide
If you are
unsure to know every food that contains GMOs, you should consult a GMO food
guide in form of books or online by using your phone.
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