Don't Be Part Of The GMO Food Experiment

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What Is a GMO?
GMOs (genetically modified organisms) are plants or animals created when genetic material from one species is spliced with that of a different species. Those DNA molecules may come from bacteria, plants, animals, and viruses. Most GMOs were created so that plants can better withstand the application of herbicides. Some even give plants the ability to produce their own herbicides.

Where Are GMOs Found?
Because they are not yet proven safe, GMOs are restricted or banned in 30 countries—including Australia, Japan, and all the countries in the European Union—but are present in 70 percent of the processed food in the US. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) does not require the labeling of GMOs in food ingredient lists.

The majority of this country’s soy, canola, corn, and sugar beets are genetically modified. Any products made from these crops—including cooking oils, soy protein, cornstarch, and corn syrup—are GMO.

The sad truth is many of the foods that are most popular with children contain GMOs. Cereals, snack bars, snack boxes, cookies, processed lunch meats, and crackers all contain large amounts of high risk food ingredients. In North America, over 80% of our food contains GMO's. If you are not buying foods that are Non-GMO Project Verified, most likely GMOs are present at breakfast, lunch, and dinner.

What if I only buy organic?
Shopping organic is a great step towards ensuring that your family eats the healthiest foods possible. The challenge is that although GMOs are an excluded method under the National Organic Program, organic certification does not require GMO testing. Choosing products that are Certified Organic AND Non-GMO Project Verified is the best way to make sure you are getting the safest, healthiest, highest-quality foo for your family.

What are the most common GMOs?
The most common GMOs are soy, cotton, canola, corn, sugar beets, Hawaiian papaya, alfalfa, and squash (zucchini and yellow). Many of these items appear as added ingredients in a large amount of the foods we eat. For instance, your family may not eat tofu or drink soy milk, but soy is most likely present in a large percentage of the foods in your pantry.

GMOs may be hidden in common processed food ingredients such as: Amino Acids, Aspartame, Ascorbic Acid, Sodium Ascorbate, Vitamin C, Citric Acid, Sodium Citrate, Flavorings (“natural” and “artificial”), High Fructose Corn Syrup, Hydrolyzed Vegetable Protein, Lactic Acid, Maltodextrins, Molasses, Monosodium Glutamate, Sucrose, Textured Vegetable Protein (TVP), Xanthan Gum, Vitamins, Yeast Products.

Did you know?
The produce stickers with the PLU codes can tell you how that food was produced!

• Conventional produce codes are a four-digit number
• Organic produce codes are a five-digit number that starts with 9.
• Genetically modified produce are also a five-digit code, but it starts with 8.

Are GMOs Safe?
The effects on humans are unknown and no human trials have been conducted. The US government has approved GMOs based on studies done by the same chemical companies that make them.

Learn More
The best way to avoid GMOs is to choose organic. You can also check out a list of brands and products verified Non-GMO at the Non-GMO Project.

Sign up for newsletters, sign petitions, and download apps at the Institute for Responsible Technology

Surveys show that more than 90 percent of Americans want genetically engineered foods to be labeled. If you want the FDA to label foods that contain GMOs, sign a petition at JustLabelIt.org.