Learn more about genetically engineered foods.

When you hear the term ‘Genetically Engineered Foods‘ you might think of NASA and whole meals in a tube. It is in fact an environmentally responsible and very profitable way for farmers to feed our ever growing global population. Or so we are being told.

Here is a little background on Genetically Engineered Foods from www.foodandwaterwatch.org:

“Biotechnology involves manipulating the genetic makeup of plants or animals to create new organisms. Proponents of the technology contend that these alterations are improvements because they add new desirable traits. Yet this manipulation may have considerable unintended consequences. Genetic engineering uses recombinant DNA technology to transfer genetic material from one organism to another to produce plants, animals, enzymes, drugs and vaccines.”

Two Atlantic salmon at roughly the same age

Genetically Engineered crops became commercially available in the United States in 1996.

They now constitute the vast majority of corn, cotton and soybean crops grown in the country. More recently, biotechnology firms have developed genetically engineered animals, including food animals such as hogs and salmon. Scary, huh?

Did you know that inserting genetic traits from one organism

into the embryo of another produces “transgenic” animals?

Transgenic animals have been developed to promote faster growth, disease resistance and leaner meat. But at what cost? And how much of the genetic material ends up in our own systems over time, potentially causing cancer and other diseases?

We don’t even know how much Genetically Engineered Foods we are consuming on a daily basis. I read an article lately that stated an estimated 75% of processed foods contain genetically engineered ingredients. As of right now the FDA doesn’t regulate GEF and labeling is very limited.

Visit the Center For Food Safety to learn more about Genetically Engineered Foods.

In California the Right to Know Genetically Engineered Food Act qualified for the 2012 ballot. If the ballot is passed it will require full disclosure on supermarket foods containing any genetically engineered (or modified) ingredients, and that these genetically engineered foods be appropriately labeled and identified. Sadly, Proposition 37 was defeated, gaining 48.6% of voters at the polls in 2012. If it had passed, California would have been the first state to require GMO labeling.

Do products have to say if they are GMO in 2022?

No, products labels don’t specifically need to say if they are GMO. According to the Washington Post, food manufacturers, retailers and importers are required to disclose information whether foods are bioengineered or use bioengineered ingredients. They are doing away with well-established terms like “genetically engineered” and “GMO” on labels. Although other official certifications such as USDA Organic and NON-GMO will be allowed.

Do you spend extra money on certified organic foods and is there a Right to Know Genetically Engineered Food Act in your state? We would love to hear from you so please leave us a comment.