Back in 2012, California residents voted on proposition 37, which would require the labeling of genetically engineered foods (GMO) so consumers would know exactly what they were buying. Many California residents were extremely disappointed when the proposition did not pass due to the powerful lobbying efforts, marketing campaign and money behind the GMO producers.
Genetically engineered or genetically modified foods are different from other produce because they have been genetically tweaked in a laboratory to increase yield, tolerance to drought and maximize productivity. There is debate about whether GMO foods really perform the way producers say they do.
What’s even more alarming is that GMOs are engineered to withstand direct application of a ton of insecticides or herbicides without harming the produce itself. But how does this affect the people who eat these pesticide treated foods? While there is lots of speculation, no one knows exactly what the health effects are. But there have been links made to the rise of autoimmune disease, digestive issues and infertility.
But if GMO was not safe, the FDA would ban it right? The U.S. government’s policy is to allow foods that have yet to be proven unsafe. And as of now, no conclusive evidence exists against GMO as a public health threat. However, other developed nations take a different stand. In the European Union, for example, foods are only allowed after they have been proven safe. GMO has not passed European tests for safety. In fact, GMO is banned in more than 60 countries, including Australia and Japan.
Coincidentally, the biggest GMO producing company in the world, Monsanto, is located in the United States and has lots of political power with the American government and lots of money to sway public opinion about GMO. That’s why the GMO labeling act failed to pass in large agricultural states like California and other states.
Thankfully, there’s something you can do to identify which produce is GMO. The stickers you find on fruits and veggies serve an important purpose. The numbers printed on those stickers identify what kind of produce you’re eating.
If the first number on the sticker starts with 8, that’s how you know it’s a GMO product. So if you want to avoid GMO produce, make sure the sticker label doesn’t start with 8.
The most commonly genetically engineered fruits and veggies are corn, soy, sugar beets, canola, Hawaiian papaya, alfalfa and squash. And it is estimated that 80 percent of processed foods in the U.S. have at least one GMO ingredient.
If your produce doesn’t have a sticker, look for numbers on the paper or plastic label or just ask if the produce is organic. By law, organic food can’t be GMO. If you want to make sure you are buying organic produce look for a sticker that starts with the number 9.
While it’s great to buy mostly organic produce, it’s not always affordable or available. But there are a few fruits and veggies that you should always buy organic because the conventional versions are notorious for heavy pesticide use.
You should always buy organic when shopping for apples, pears, berries, peaches, kale, cucumbers and bell peppers. If you want a more comprehensive list, search the Internet for the term “EWG dirty dozen”. They also have a list of the “Clean 15”, which are fruits and veggies that are ok to buy conventionally. Some of these include sweet potatoes, cabbage, onions and avocados.
Speaking of which, conventional produce labels start with the number 3 or 4.
If you’ve been eating GMO foods without realizing and are concerned about the health risks, it’s always a good idea to cleanse the body of toxic build up. The 21-Day Body Makeover is the perfect cleanse to remove these chemicals from your body and reset your system to crave whole, natural foods.
