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  • From: "Tradingpost" <tradingpost@lobo.net>
  • To: livingontheland@lists.ibiblio.org
  • Subject: [Livingontheland] How to Avoid Genetically Modified Foods
  • Date: Thu, 30 Apr 2009 10:35:30 -0600




How to Avoid Genetically Modified Foods
http://www.wikihow.com/Avoid-Genetically-Modified-Foods

Whether genetically modified (GM) foods are beneficial or harmful is still
controversial. Most foods we eat may contain ingredients derived from
genetically modified organisms (GMOs)--everything from baby formula and
food to our dairy to even our meat. If you live in Europe, avoiding GM
foods is easier since laws require labeling. However in the US and Canada
food manufacturers are not required to label if their food is genetically
modified or not. As such, here are some guidelines for steering clear of GM
foods in your diet, if that is your choice.

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[edit] Steps

1. Become familiar with the most common applications of genetic
modification. These are the products (and their derivatives) that are most
likely to be genetically modified:

* Soybeans - Gene taken from bacteria (Agrobacterium sp. strain
CP4) and inserted into soybeans to make them more resistant to
herbicides.[1] See How to Live With a Soy Allergy for more information on
avoiding soy products.
* Corn - There are two main varieties of GE corn. One has a Gene
from the lepidoptera pathogen microorganism Bacillus thuringiensis inserted
to produce the Bt toxin, which poisons insect pests.[2] There are also
several events which are resistant to various herbicide. Present in high
fructose corn syrup and glucose/fructose which is prevalent in a wide
variety of foods in America.
* Rapeseed/Canola - Gene added/transferred to make crop more
resistant to herbicide.
* Sugar beets - Gene added/transferred to make crop more
resistant to Monsanto's Roundup herbicide.
* Rice - Genetically modified to resist herbicides; not currently
available for human consumption, but trace amounts of one GM long-grained
variety (LLRICE601) may have entered the food supply in the USA and
Europe.[3]More recently, golden rice, a different strain of rice has been
engineered to produce significantly higher levels of beta carotene, which
the body uses to produce vitamin A. Golden rice is still undergoing testing
to determine if it is safe for human consumption.[4]
* Cotton - engineered to produce Bt toxin. The seeds are pressed
into cottonseed oil, which is a common ingredient in vegetable oil and
margarine.
* Dairy - Cows injected with GE hormone rBGH/rBST; possibly fed
GM grains and hay.

2. Buy food labeled 100% organic. The US and Canadian governments do not
allow manufacturers to label something 100% organic if that food has been
genetically modified or been fed genetically modified feed. However, you
may find that organic food is more expensive and different in appearance
from conventional products. Also, just because something says "organic" on
it does not mean that it does not contain GMs. In fact, it can still
contain up to 30% GMs, so be sure the labels say 100% organic.

* This applies to eggs, as well. Eggs labeled "free-range",
"natural", or "cage-free" are not necessarily GE-free; look for eggs to be
100% organic.[5]

3. Recognize fruit and vegetable label numbers.
* If it is a 4-digit number, the food is conventionally produced.
* If it is a 5-digit number beginning with an 8, it is GM.
However, do not trust that GE foods will have a PLU identifying it as such,
because PLU labeling is optional. [6]
* If it is a 5-digit number beginning with a 9, it is
organic.[7]

4. Purchase beef that is 100% grass-fed. Most cattle in the U.S. are
grass-fed, but spend the last portion of their lives in feedlots where they
may be given GM corn, the purpose of which is to increase intramuscular fat
and marbling. If you're looking to stay away from GMOs, make sure the
cattle were 100% grass-fed or pasture-fed (sometimes referred to as
grass-finished or pasture-finished). The same applies to meat from other
herbivores such as sheep. There is also the slight possibility that the
animals were fed GM alfalfa, although this is less likely if you buy meat
locally. With non-ruminants like pigs and poultry that cannot be 100%
grass-fed, it's better to look for meat that is 100% organic.
5.
GMO-free marshmallows
GMO-free marshmallows
Seek products that are specifically labeled as non-GM or GMO-free.
However, it is rare to find products labeled as such. You can also research
websites that list companies and foods that do not use genetically modified
foods, [8], but be aware that information is often incomplete and
conflicting interests may not be declared.
6. Shop locally. Although more than half of all GM foods are produced in
the US,[9] most of it comes from large, industrial farms. By shopping at
farmers' markets, signing up for a subscription from a local Community
Supported Agriculture (CSA) farm, or patronizing a local co-op, you may be
able to avoid GM products and possibly save money at the same time.

* More and more small farms are offering grains and meat directly
to customers, in addition to the usual fare (vegetables, fruit, herbs).
*
Inspecting non-GMO cabbage
Inspecting non-GMO cabbage
Shopping locally may also give you the opportunity to speak to
the farmer and find out how he or she feels about GMOs and whether or not
they use them in their own operation.

7. Buy whole foods. Favor foods that you can cook and prepare yourself,
rather than foods that are processed or prepared (e.g. anything that comes
in a box or a bag, including fast food). What you lose in convenience, you
may recover in money saved and satisfaction gained, as well as increased
peace of mind. Try cooking a meal from scratch once or twice a week--you
may enjoy it and decide to do it more often.


[edit] Tips

* If you have the land, time, and resources, grow your own food. As
long as you make sure you're not buying GM seeds, and aren't near any GM
plants which could cross-pollinate, you'll know for sure that the food
which comes from your garden is not genetically modified.
* At chain and non-chain restaurants, you can ask which, if any, of
their foods contain GMs, but the wait and kitchen staff are not likely to
know.
* Producers who label their food GM-free aren't making any health
claims regarding the product.


[edit] Related wikiHows

* How to Avoid High Fructose Corn Syrup
* How to Get Started in the Slow Food Movement
* How to Choose the Most Important Organic Foods
* How to Save Money at a Farmers' Market


[edit] Sources and Citations

1. ? http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Soybean#Genetic_modification
2. ? http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Transgenic_maize#Bt_corn
3. ? http://www.cfsan.fda.gov/~lrd/biorice.html
4. ? http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sci/tech/4386933.stm
5. ? http://www.truefoodnow.org/documents/guide%208_11%20layout.pdf
6. ? http://www.undoge.org/?p=25
7. ? http://missourifamilies.org/features/nutritionarticles/nut76.htm
8. ? http://www.truefoodnow.org/documents/guide%208_11%20layout.pdf
9. ?
http://www.ornl.gov/sci/techresources/Human_Genome/elsi/gmfood.shtml








  • [Livingontheland] How to Avoid Genetically Modified Foods, Tradingpost, 04/30/2009

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