I doubt you want one more issue to be concerned with, but if I didn’t let you know about GMO’s, I’d be a rotten health & nutrition blogger.
CBS News did a story recently on genetically modified foods – foods grown using genetically modified organisms. This means their DNA is specifically engineered to withstand more pesticides and other chemicals, which increases the crop’s profits. It also increases the junk we’re ingesting into our bodies, and the number of resulting health problems is something we may never know.
At the above link you’ll read about these facts:
- 53%: Percentage of polled Americans who say they won’t buy food that has ingredients from genetically engineered (GE) plants.
- 65%: Actual percentage of products on grocery store shelves that contain unlabeled GE ingredients (usually soy or corn derived).
- 90%: Portion of U.S. grown soybeans that are genetically engineered.
- 99%: Estimated likelihood that the U.S. sugar supply will start to be sourced from genetically engineered plants this year.
(Photo from Organic Consumers Association)
Have you heard of a seed company called, “Monsanto”?
When you’re reading about GMO’s, you don’t get very far without hearing about Monsanto and their slimy business practices. Read this excerpt from the Organic Consumers Association:
The new Monsanto has clearly come to dominate the American food chain with its genetically modified (GM) seeds. It’s a master at enforcing its 674 biotechnology patents, using tyrannical and ruthless tactics against small farmers.
This link has more comprehensive information from Delicious Organics and will answer these questions:
- What does “genetically modified” mean?
- What are the risks to our health?
- Are seedless grapes a GM food?
- Which two crops are almost all genetically engineered and in most packaged foods?
- Can organic foods be genetically modified?
April 2009 UPDATE:
- Take the NO GMO Challenge!
- Also read this from Food Renegade: Just say NO to GMO’s!
ANOTHER REASON TO BUY ORGANIC
I’ll answer that last one for you here: as of now the best way to be sure you’re not eating food grown with GMO’s is to buy organic. However, from my research I’ve learned that those waters may become muddy over time due to cross-contamination in farmer’s fields, but for now that’s all we’ve got…unless more of us are willing to get involved publicly and stand up for preserving organic standards. At the very least, please go to this link and sign up for updates to keep informed and become more involved in this issue!
- Find which foods are genetically engineered – you’ll see many familiar brands
- What’s the big deal about high fructose corn syrup and trans fats?
- Here’s a 30 minute video on Monsanto and the links between GMO’s, Roundup, and cancer
- “Family Seed Business Takes On Goliath of Genetic Modification”
- Why eat local, organic, sustainable food?
- If you’re a regular reader, please tell me you’re now taking your cod liver oil daily!
- Read more health & nutrition news stories
(Many more topics along the right in the sidebar!)
Check out the new KITCHEN KOP REAL FOOD INGREDIENT GUIDE: only $5!DON'T MISS NEW POSTS:
Subscribe in a reader or Subscribe via e-mail for free blog updates.
Learn more from the COMMENTS BELOW - join the conversation!
{ 1 trackback }
{ 9 comments… read them below or add one }
Nicole B 05.26.08 at 10:23 am
“65%: Actual percentage of products on grocery store shelves that contain unlabeled GE ingredients (usually soy or corn derived).”
This is disturbing and makes me not want to think about the subject too much.
Seems like if we want to eat real food we’ll have to make and grow it all… What ARE we doing to ourselves!? Reading that GMO food list by brands was creepy and disheartening too.
[Reply]
Kelly the Kitchen Kop 05.26.08 at 1:24 pm
Hi Nicole,
I agree, it is all very disturbing, but once you know what to look for on the labels (avoid soy products, high fructose corn syrup, try to buy mostly organic, etc.), or even better, avoid the inner aisles of the store, then we can be fairly sure we’re not eating GM foods. I’m working on a post now about the movie, “King Corn” – that is even more disturbing, to see how all the junk gets into our food supply…
[Reply]
Michigan Mom2three 05.27.08 at 4:42 am
Oh my – that list gave me reason for a BIG SIGH. I found SEVERAL things (Nestly toll house choco chips that I still use in cookies for my kids for example), that are on my shelf. Arg, Arg and double Arg! And – the fact that sugar sources will be from genetically modified sources this year….. all the more reason to give the junk up!
Shauna
[Reply]
Kelly the Kitchen Kop 05.27.08 at 11:36 am
Shauna,
Oh great, I didn’t see Nestle on that list…grrrrr
[Reply]
Sonia 05.30.08 at 8:38 am
In a newsletter from Heifer International (a worthwhile non-profit focusing on hunger and environmentalism http://www.heifer.org), a couple interesting GMO facts were given.
*4 out of 5 acres of GMO crops are Monsanto’s Roundup Ready. Take time to email Monsanto with your opinion! http://www.monsanto.com/who_we_are/contact_us.asp
*The Vatican recently added a more modern list of “social” sins to its traditional seven deadly sins. One is “genetic manipulation”. I am not Catholic and know little about Catholicism, but is this more than just an animal cloning issue?
As an aside, Heifer International is a great organization to contribute to. You can even purchase livestock for families in developing countries in someone else’s name as a gift. How about buying a gift of a sheep in dad’s name for Father’s Day ($120.00), instead of more golf stuff? Cheaper yet, a flock of chicks is only $20.00.
*ONLINE GIFTING: http://www.heifer.org/site/c.edJRKQNiFiG/b.2664267/
[Reply]
Kelly the Kitchen Kop 05.30.08 at 9:50 am
Sonia,
GREAT INFO!!!!!!!!!! We also love that organization and often take the opportunity to give to the poor in that way instead of giving yet another useless gift.
I never knew they are also an environmental company, I thought they just helped the poor/hungry.
Regarding the Vatican: I haven’t researched it, and maybe they were just referring to HUMAN genetic manipulation, but in my opinion, anytime we start messing with God’s creation, whether it’s with human cloning or messing with food the way He designed it, it’s never a good idea. We Catholics mess up OFTEN (as we all do), but I’m thankful that the Vatican took this stand!
Kelly
[Reply]
Patti 02.21.09 at 4:12 pm
Hi, Kelly, I love your website. I have been trying to eat healthy and am getting into oraganic big time.
I have almost 5 acres and guess what I want to do? Live off it! And maybe do money making things too. ( I need a paying job) Any Ideas?
[Reply]
Janet W 04.27.09 at 12:09 pm
Well, the laugh’s on me. I was going to recommend Sunspire organic chocolate chips — organic and fair traded chocolate. BUT they use soy lecithin and not organic lecithin (there is a push now to change especially organic foods to organic soy lecithin)
In an article i just saw on Organic Consumers, there is non-GMO lecithin, but it is processed chemically. See the whole deal here
[Reply]
Kelly 04.28.09 at 2:06 am
Patti, I’m sorry I missed your comment when you sent it in February! Hopefully you’ll still get this, not that I’m of any help to you. I’d suggest talking to other farmers around you!
Janet, frustrating isn’t it? But I love how it says in that article, “Things are tightening…”
[Reply]