GMO Resource Guide

What is a GMO?

A GMO (or genetically modified organism) is a plant, animal, or other organism that has had its genetic makeup altered using gene splicing, gene modification or transgenic technology. This technology creates unstable combinations of plant, animal, viral, or bacterial genes that are not created in nature or through traditional crossbreeding/hybridizing methods. In other words, a GMO is something that can only be created in a lab. They are most often engineered to be resistant to pesticides & herbicides or to create their own internal insecticide.

Are they safe?

While most of the world views GMOs as unsafe, the US and Canada have approved them based on studies done by the very companies that created them! No real testing has been done by the FDA, nor is labeling required for them, yet they have been deemed safe for our consumption! Scary, right? With GMOs being prevalent in about 70% of our nation’s food supply, and with a steady rise in food allergies, organ damage, certain types of cancers and even nervous system damage, it’s hard not to be a bit concerned that there might be a direct correlation. Even the World Health Organization has come out stating that the herbicide Glyphosate*, which is most commonly used on GMO crops, is a possible human carcinogen!

Crops that are genetically modified:

The most prominent GMO crops are corn, soy, alfalfa, cotton*, papaya, sugar beets, canola and zucchini/yellow squash, and now white potatoes and certain types of apples have joined the group.

*for women – think feminine products!

Ingredients that are GMO:

There are so many hidden GMO ingredients lurking in our foods (especially processed, packaged, bottled, & canned) and personal care/cosmetics, that I thought it would be helpful to list a bunch to watch out for! This list is taken from the Non-GMO Shopping Guide.

corn flour
corn masa
corn meal
corn oil
corn sugar
corn syrup
cornstarch
starch
food starch
modified food starch
modified starch
hydrogenated starch
milo starch
high fructose corn syrup (HFCS)
dextrin
cyclodextrin
maltodextrin
dextrose
malt
malt syrup
malt extract
hydrolyzed vegetable protein
baking powder
caramel color
sugar (unless specified as cane sugar)
E951
Nutrasweet
Aspartame
minoSweet
Canderel
BeneVia
Phenylalanine
Equal
confectioners sugar
invert sugar
inverse syrup
fructose (any form)
glucose
condensed milk
milk powder
glycerides
glycerin
glycerol
glycerol monooleate
diglyceride
mono and diglycerides
triglyceride
teriyaki marinades
tofu
tamari
tempeh
textured vegetable protein
soy flour
soy isolates
soy milk
soy oil
soy sauce
soy protein
soy protein concentrate
soy protein isolate
protein isolate
soy lecithin
lecithin
whey
whey powder
xanthan gum
canola oil (rapeseed oil)
cottonseed oil
vegetable oil
vegetable fat
shoyu
monosodium glutamate (MSG)
glutamate
glutamic acid
citric acid
lactic acid
phytic acid
oleic acid
stearic acid
erythritol
inositol
mannitol
sorbitol
cellulose
hemicellulose
methylcellulose
trehalose
colorose
maltitol maltose
cobalamin (Vitamin B12)
vitamin B12
vitamin E
diacetyl
isoflavones
tocopherols (vitamin E)
threonine
glycine
leucine
lysine
cysteine

How can we avoid them?

The obvious way would be to buy everything organic, but it’s understandable that not everyone has the budget to be able to do that. The next most obvious would be to look for products that have the “Non-GMO Project Verified” label on them. These are brands that have gone through a rigorous testing procedure by a third party in which the lab looks at a product’s individual ingredients and precursors for any GMO materials.

For those on a strict budget looking to reduce their GMO exposure, here are a few tips that may be helpful:

1. Take stock of what foods you eat on a daily and weekly basis. Those are the foods you should always buy organic. To save money, skip the name brand organics and opt instead for your grocery store’s brand (ie: Wegman’s, Tops, Wholefoods, etc..). Other options are Trader Joe’s (their name brand is non-GMO) and Aldi. You can also check with your local farmer’s markets to see if their produce is GMO.

1. Go meat & dairy free a few days a week! Since most Americans can’t think of nixing meat or dairy, try cutting back to a few days a week and always buy organic, as conventional animal feed is GMO (not to mention that factory farmed animals are often treated inhumanely & who wants to support that?!)

1. Check websites of brands you love to see if they use GMO’s. If you don’t see anything listed, don’t be afraid to contact them and ask! Most brands understand consumers interest in avoiding GMO’s and they will let you know.

1. Make homemade! Dips, breads, cookies, etc..most often it’s cheaper to buy the individual ingredients and make your own organic/non-GMO snacks or treats.

1. Check online for deals – Amazon is one of my fave shopping sites to get bulk organic products.

1. If you have one near you, join Sam’s Club – they are constantly getting in new organic and non-GMO products for much less than the grocery stores and you get bigger portions too!

1. Sign up for brand’s newsletters to get discounts, coupons, and other special deals

1. Grow your own veggies/fruits! It’s easier than you think and organic seeds are relatively inexpensive! Also, nothing beats the taste of clean, GMO and pesticide-free food that you grew and cared for yourself! 🙂

Check the PLU codes on produce – if it starts with 8 it’s GMO ( if 8 it’s not great) and if it starts with 9 it’s organic (if 9 then it’s fine)!

*Note – Non-GMO does NOT mean that the product is free from pesticides/glyphosate, it just means that the food/ingredient has not been genetically modified. To avoid both GMO’s and pesticides like glyphosate, buy organic!

Links for more info:

Non-GMO Project

Organic Authority

Non-GMO Shopping Guide

Food Babe

Fight Against GMO’s

Center For Food Safety

Responsible Technology

Organic Consumers Association

EWG

Kids Right To Know

Melissa Diane Smith