Issue link: http://cp.revolio.com/i/341630
Page 14 | Abby's Magazine - www.AbbysMag.com precautionary measures should be taken even if some cause-and-effect relationships are not fully established scientifically. In this context, the proponent of an activity, rather than the public, should bear the burden of protection." The biotech industry has not invoked the precautionary principle. Nor have they been transparent. Collectively, these biotech companies have spent $46 million to prevent consumers from finding out which of the foods they are eating have been modified. Their efforts have included shockingly inaccurate commercials designed to mislead the voting public. Pollan believes that the refusal of the biotech industry to be transparent with our nation owes to the fact that "genetically modified foods don't offer the eater any benefits whatsoever." GMOs: Do Something About It In many ways, the science and technological advancement behind genetic engineering is truly exciting. The question isn't whether we should encourage or allow scientific experimentation. The problem is lack of transparency. Numerous independent studies have revealed GM foods to be unsafe, yet the public is not made aware of where we might find these organisms in our food supply. For the first time since the introduction of GM foods, Americans had the chance to force the hand of recalcitrant biotech giants in California's Proposition 37, which would have required GM foods to be labeled. The measure did not pass after a massive campaign on the part of the industry that profits from GM foods. To find out which food manufacturers supported and opposed this landmark legislation, see "GM Labeling: Who Wants You to Know" later in this article. Despite the loss, the fight to win support for the labeling of GM foods continues. To support the effort and learn more, visit Just Label It. Most importantly, if you want to opt out of the great GM experiment, you have options. For starters, choose certified organic foods, which are not legally allowed to contain any GM ingredients. You can also choose whole, unprocessed foods such as fresh produce and whole grains, most of which has not been engineered. When choosing non-organic processed foods, it gets trickier. Your only guaranteed options are to buy processed foods that are either certified organic or Non-GMO Project Verified (and marked with the group's seal). For a helpful guide to making the smartest choices, see "Where are GM Foods in the Grocery Store?" below. Where are GM Foods in the Grocery Store? In the United States, 70 percent or more of the processed foods in the supermarket directly or indirectly contain genetically modified (GM) ingredients. The illustration below shows how prevalent GM foods have become on store shelves. The best way to avoid GM food is to know which ingredients are likely to be GM and read labels carefully, or to always choose organic or Non- GMO Project Verified foods, which are certified to have been processed without GM organisms. For listings of companies who use or eschew GM ingredients, read the True Food Shopper's Guide: How to Avoid Foods Made with Genetically Modified Organisms [GMOs]. But take note: It's wise to use caution with all uncertified processed foods. The Cornucopia Institute, a populist farm policy research group based in Wisconsin, has conducted independent testing of several brands that purport to be GM-free and found them to contain GM organisms. • Dairy/Eggs: Unless labeled organic, rBST-free or rBGH-free, everything in the dairy case probably contains milk from cows injected with rBST, a GM hormone used to make cows give more milk. It's likely that cows and chickens were fed GM corn, soy and canola. • Meat: GM corn and soy are so dominant in the United States that almost everything in the meat case comes from animals fed GM crops. • Fresh produce: Not many GM items; GM sweet corn arrived in 2012; nearly all papayas sold in the United States have been GM since 1998. •Cereals: Unless labeled organic, cereals likely include GM ingredients, primarily corn, high-fructose corn syrup and other corn products, soy and milk proteins. "Natural" labels mean nothing. • Cookies/Snacks/Chips: Almost all include high-fructose corn syrup;