How can we avoid eating hacked (genetically modified) food?

5 points

14 years ago

Californians will soon be voting on Prop 37 [1] and may become the first state in the US to require labelling of food which contains genetically modified ingredients. Over 50 countries already require this. Personally I think the jury is still out on the long term effects of GM food on humans [2][3] so labelling will be helpful to anyone who would like to avoid GM food but found it difficult.

It's easy for some things. I love Kettle Chips and they already label themselves as being made from "non-GMO ingredients". However, when it comes to buying groceries, it seems the "organic" label isn't enough, and you have to look for "100% organic" [4], so just grabbing stuff at Whole Foods is no good.

Eating out is obviously much harder. For example, Burgermeister use Niman Ranch beef where the cattle themselves dine out on hacked food. "Unfortunately, use of GMOs is now prevalent in the U.S., and cross-contamination of non-GMO fields due to wind drift from genetically modified crops does sometimes occur." [5]. I don't think I've ever seen a restaurant menu declare a dish to be GM free.

If you try to avoid GM food, how do you make it easier on yourself? Do you eat at home more? Do you use any apps or websites with lists of products confirmed to be GM free?

[1] http://www.carighttoknow.org/

[2] http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-2205509/Cancer-row-GM-foods-French-study-claims-did-THIS-rats--cause-organ-damage-early-death-humans.html

[3] http://www.nature.com/news/rat-study-sparks-gm-furore-1.11471

[4] http://www.nongmoshoppingguide.com/what-is-organic.html

[5] http://www.nimanranch.com/faq.aspx

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