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How to Avoid GMOs at the Market

Non-GMOWithin the US, unless you are eating organic foods, the chances of you eating GMOs is very high.  Food experts estimate that over 75% of foods in the grocery stores contain GMOs, and that this number is steadily growing.  They fill the packaged and frozen food sections of the store, with two main ingredients being the big culprits:

Corn

Up to 85% of US corn is genetically engineered.  Nearly all corn in packaged and processed foods is produced with genetically modified seeds.  Corn and corn derivatives can be found in almost every processed food category, including candy, snacks, frozen meals, tortilla chips, canned foods, condiments, diet bars and diet foods, "health" foods, and deli meats.  It can also be found in many commercial pet foods.  

Soy

Up to 91% of US soy is genetically engineered.  Another heavily produced GMO, processed soy and soy derivatives are just as common.  It fills vegetarian and vegan fake meat, cheese, and butter, and is the main ingredient in soy ice cream and soy milk.  It is also a hidden ingredient in countless processed foods.

Corn & Soy Derivatives

Let's take a look at some of the most common soy and corn ingredients on food labels that are very likely to be genetically modified:

Soy Derivatives   Corn Derivatives
  • any ingredient with the word "soy"
  • soy flour
  • lecithin
  • hydrolyzed vegetable protein
  • soy protein isolate (originally used in cardboard)
  • protein concentrate
  • textured vegetable protein
  • vegetable oil (fully or partially hydrogenated)
  • soybean oil
  • plant sterols
  • soy sauce
  • soybean oil
  • guar gum
The only soy ingredient that should ever be eaten is fresh, organic soybeans (edamame) and non-GMO unpasteurized soy sauce (Nama Shoyu).
  
  • any ingredient with the word "corn"
  • citric acid, any citrate ingredient
  • ferrous gluconate
  • cellulose
  • corn starch, corn meal, starch
  • corn flour
  • corn syrup, high fructose corn syrup
  • corn oil
  • monosodium glutamate
  • dextrin, maltodextrin, dextrose, polydextrose, glucose, maltitol, maltose, mannitol, ethanol
  • saccharin
  • hydrolyzed vegetable protein
The only corn ingredient that should ever be eaten is fresh, organic, sweet corn.

The Easiest Way to Avoid GMOs

NON GMO Project seal

Since US law does not require labeling of GMOs, whereas laws in many other countries do, those who want to avoid them can do so by:

  1. Looking for the NON GMO Project Verified seal on food labels.
  2. Purchasing organically grown food.  

But the absolute best way to avoid GMOs, and to give yourself the biggest gift when it comes to your health, is to completely avoid buying refined foods - especially diet foods that are filled with the worst kind of rubbish.  Make most of your purchases fresh fruits and veggies (organic, if possible), nuts, seeds, organic sprouted grains, and organic meat, eggs, and pasture-raised dairy.  GMOs will then no longer be something you have to worry about.

Why choose organic...

Vermont Victory!  

The exception is if you live in Vermont after July 2016.  Congratulations to Vermont!  In a landslide victory in April 2014, Vermont became the first US state to win the battle to label GMOs.  Labeling goes into effect July 1st, 2016. 

The labeling requirement comes with another benefit:  Foods that contain genetically modified products can no longer carry the term "natural."  As the FDA does not regulate use of the word "natural" on food product labels, companies are currently left to the own devices to use the word any way they like, and they slap it all over products that are far from healthy.  Preventing its use on GM products is a huge victory alone!

 

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