If you are just starting to learn about genetically modified foods (GMOs) you might not know where to begin. According to Greenamerica.org there are approximately 30,000 genetically modified foods sitting on store shelves today.  The question is where? what foods? how will you know? If foods are derived from any of the following 9 crops then they are considered genetically modified.
It’s easy to label ‘junk food’ to our kids. Cheese doodles, gummy bears. I tell my kids, “if it doesn’t have a mother or come from the earth then it has been man made”. And while that’s safe to say, what about foods that ARE from the earth and have a mother? How safe are they?
94% of the soybean crop was modified in 2011. It will show up in tofu, soy milk, soy sauce, miso and the emulsifier lecithin which is most often found in ice cream and candy.
2. SUGAR BEETS – GM since 2005
95% of the sugar beet crop was genetically modified in 2009, according to the USDA. HALF the sugar produced in the United States comes from sugar beets. If the sugar you are buying does not specifically say “pure cane sugar” it has in all likelihood come from GM sugar beets. This is HUGE !!!!
3. CORN – GM since 1996
88% of the corn crop was modified in 2011, according to the USDA. This is ANOTHER top ranking offender in my book as it is found in literally HUNDREDS of products from any corn-flour product such as tortillas, breakfast cereals, mayo, ANYTHING with high fructose corn syrup (which is found in drinks, snacks, yogurt, cookies, soups etc.)
4. MILK – GM since 1994
rBGH is a hormone injected into dairy cows to boost milk production. Milk from cows injected with rBGH have elevated levels of Insulin Growth Factor, which has been linked to an increased risk for certain cancers.  Unfortunately here in the US no labeling is required for cows that have been injected with rBGH. Nice huh?
Aspartame is an artificial sweetener derived from GM microorganisms. It is found in over 6000 products and can be found under the name Nutra Sweet, Splenda, Equal or Aspartame. It is nasty nasty stuff and in my opinion should be avoided.
6. COTTONSEED – GM since 1996
The cotton plant produces fibers for clothing but can also be sold and found in cottonseed oil and is more commonly found in margarine, salad dressings, and as a frying oil for potato chips and other snacks.
Hawaiian papaya was genetically modified to protect against a ringspot virus in the late 1990s.
8. ALFALFA – GM since
At present GM alfalfa is grown primarily for dairy and beef cattle. It’s hard to tell whether the cows that produce the dairy or meat you are getting have been fed GM alfalfa. It’s always best to choose organic and 100% grass fed.
9. CANOLA OIL – GM since 1996
90% of the crop was genetically modified in 2010 according to the New York Times. It’s in any canola oil processed in the United States.
I just tried a white squash that looks just like an acorn squash except for the color. My friend said it tastes like potatoes and is called a “mashed potato” squash. It indeed does taste like mashed potatoes with a possible corn undertone flavor. It seems very plausible that this squash has been genetically modified. Any info on this? Thank you SO much and for your info on GMO foods. ps: I could only eat a little not knowing if it is GMO or not. Look forward to your reply.
Hallo Debi!
Keep up the good work!
Here a short comment from The Netherlands EU. In the EU its mandatory to label products with GMOs in it in case there is more than 0,9% in the product. We, The European GMO-free Citizens, have made a website for the consumer because there is no objective informatie about GMOs in our country. In Dutch and also in English. Please take a look. We should all eat organic because here also wheat and potatoes are sprayed with roundup to ripen up and cannot be washed off. See the PPP on our website about this toppic.
Have a nice day.
thank you for taking the time to weigh in from the Netherlands! Together, hopefully, we will send the message that our health is more important to us than profit!
Yes we will. I started this topic on internet 20 years ago as a worried housewife and am still warning anyone who wants to listen!
Hello,
What is your specific reason of why GMO’s are not safe? What is the actual reason why you feel that they are so bad for us? I would like you to look into a few sites:
http://www.csa.com/discoveryguides/gmfood/overview.php
https://mollsymoo.wordpress.com/2014/10/10/what-are-gmos-turns-out-people-dont-know/#comments
I encourage you to look into these.
Thank you.