What's the big deal about GMO foods?

Say no to GMO

You have
a choice

Chances are you regularly eat foods that contain ingredients with genetically modified organisms (GMOs). Many breakfast foods, snack foods and sodas made in the United States contain genetically engineered ingredients. You may be thinking, “What's the big deal about these products? Food is food, right?" Wrong. You should know that GMO foods can come with some risks to your health.

What are genetically modified ingredients?

Food technology has changed dramatically in recent years. Genetically engineered ingredients have now been produced by inserting genes from bacteria, viruses and even humans into plants and animals. And scientists are finding signs of trouble with this approach, including increased pesticide use and risks to human health.

Also concerning, experts with the American Academy of Environmental Medicine (AAEM) say that without notice you have been included in a dangerous experiment on your food. The AAEM has said that GMOs pose a serious threat to health, and that it is no accident that there can be a correlation between these substances and undesirable health effects. In fact, the organization has advised doctors to tell their patients to avoid GMOs, as these ingredients have been linked with a startling rise in chronic diseases and food allergies.

What are the risks of GMOs?

Would you eat GMO foods, if they were labeled? Unlike other industrialized countries, the US does not yet require labeling. This could change, but for the moment, without the labeling of genetically modified (GM) ingredients, there is no way to track evidence of harm to your health.

Medical experts, including more than 2,000 doctors and health professionals in Germany and members of the British Medical Association, have questioned the safety of GM foods. The risks?

• Allergies: By inserting foreign DNA into common foods, the biotech industry is introducing possible new food allergens.
• Antibiotic resistance: Doctors warn that the current use of antibiotic-resistant genes in GM crops may add to this risk.

What can you do to avoid GMOs

Thousands of processed food products on the shelves of your local supermarket contain GM ingredients. Nearly 90 percent of domestically grown conventional corn, soybean and canola is already genetically altered.

To avoid these products, shop at supermarkets that carry foods made with non-GM ingredients, including Trader Joe's and Whole Foods Market. Check the ingredients lists of products and buy certified organic foods whenever possible.

Be especially wary of corn, soy, canola and cottonseed oil, as these food products have often been genetically altered. Also, look for non-GMO on food labels.

The Center for Food Safety lists some non-GMO product lines to look for, including: