If you haven’t watched the movie, “Food, Inc.”, I highly suggest you invest in purchasing this movie and sharing it with everyone you know. After watching this movie I was “enlightened” on the topic of “Genetically modified organisms” and the process behind what is now becoming an FDA approved standard in our culture without our full awareness of it through labeling. One of the largest producers of GMO’s is a company called Monsanto. They’ve seemingly cornered the marketplace and convinced the FDA, many of whom have ties with their organization, into their corner. Over 70% of the corn and 90% of the soy we consume has gone through a GMO process. The most concerning part of it all is not what we know but what we don’t know about GMO products. It seems that although the FDA has allowed soybeans to be modified with substances such as “round up” (yes, the same stuff you kill your weeds with) they haven’t required that this food be labeled properly enabling us to make an informed decision when purchasing. Because “soy” is used as a substance in the production of so many food products (i.e. protein mix, oils, frozen food, etc.) unless we painstakingly read the fine print we don’t know it’s there.
With GMO’s it’s hard to really clarify if the product is safe or not for our general consumption. GMO’s came to the forefront of our society around 1996 and the study on whether there is a direct correlation between disease/illness and GMO’s is difficult at best to confirm. Both sides war against each other and it seems the one with the deepest pockets usually wins. The current debate centers mostly on the mandatory labeling of GMO food products. The US and Canada currently do not have laws in place for food labeling of GMO’s, while countries such as the European Union Nations, Japan, China (yes, even China….), New Zealand and Australia have made it mandatory to disclose this information to their consumers. Even though studies produced through the “Consumers Union” have clearly shown that 95% of Americans want to know what is in their food through food labeling disclosure, the FDA has firmly put its foot down to stop it. Why? My guess is that Monsanto’s arm extends long and deep into the pockets of its constituents, many of whom reside in the FDA. A very informative and interesting article was written on May 16, 2011, http://www.grist.org/food-safety/2011-05-16-what-we-know-and-dont-know-about-the-safety-of-eating-gmos, on this subject. I highly suggest you read it.
USDA organic labels
While it is my personal recommendation to eat organic foods, make sure you know the farmer before you decide if the product meets your organic standard. The FDA has allotted for small amounts of non-organic ingredients to be used in organic labeling. The problem is what those “non-organic” products could be and what they would mean for the consumer. My farmer of choice in Virginia Beach is Cullipher’s Farm located off Princess Anne Road. They use a unique process that results in very little (if at all) use of pesticides based on actual sampling. Visit their website to learn more about their process at http://www.cullipherfarm.com.
Product assumption
Most of us think soy is a great healthy choice for consumption; however, 90% of soy produced in the U.S. has been modified through GMO processing. At present, we can’t fully know the answer to “Is this a GMO product?” when we consume or see it on the shelf of our grocer. When we see other countries requiring labeling and preventing GMO products in their country, we have to question why. Corn is another widely used product in our society. From feed to food, this product probably crosses the boundary lines more so than almost any other food. If 75% of the corn produced in our country is a GMO food then almost everything we consume related to corn has been modified. Does this mean our health is going to be adversely affected? I’m not certain that anyone really knows the answer to that. But if we take into consideration our history with food (i.e. preservatives) what we typically learn comes decades after their introduction into our culture. It may just take as long for us to learn the full blow of GMO’s.
Food labeling
My personal preference is that all food be labeled to disclose the contents and anything used in their production, including GMOs. If our current standard is to disclose the elements of a food product, then why would “GMO” labeling not be required? Why would the FDA not recommend disclosure if the food is really “safe” (as we’re told) for consumption? I bet we’d be amazed to see how many of the products on our grocery shelves contain GMO foods if the labeling became law.
Action
So what can you do about all this, you ask? There are collective efforts being made to require GMO labeling. The one I signed yesterday can be found at http://organicconsumers.org/monsanto/index.cfm. Even though Monsanto seems like Goliath in this fight to protect consumers and create awareness, it’s really up to each and every one of us to become “David” by taking an individual stand on the subject. Contact your local representatives, congressmen/women and senators. Make your voice heard. Even if you don’t think there’s a reason to be concerned about GMO food you can certainly agree that labeling is a step in the right direction for everyone. It keeps those in power accountable and those who are not protected.
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