The debate about whether to label genetically modified foods is creating a big stir among the food industry. Packagers, distributers, regulators and consumers are amongst the discussion.
Shoppers are familiar with organic labeling on much of the produce at grocery stores, but what about the foods without an organic label? The United States is already the world’s largest market for genetically engineered ingredients. According to the Food and Drug Administration, 80 percent of processed foods are genetically modified.
The FDA states that genetic engineering, also referred to as genetic modification, “…is the name for certain methods that scientists use to introduce new traits or characteristics to an organism.”
Genetically modified organisms (GMOs) are created to enhance the speed of growth or “nutritional profile” of food crops. GMO plants were added the U.S. food supply in the 1990s.
The FDA states that “genetically engineered plants must meet the same requirements, including safety requirements, as foods from traditionally bred plants.”
The controversy of labeling GMOs can be credited to Whole Foods taking a public stand on the issue.
Whole Food announced March 8 that the company plans to label all genetically modified foods in every U.S. and Canadian stores by 2018. Currently, the chain holds more than 300 stores. The company said they plan to have all products with GMOs labeled, from nuts to soup. The FDA says labeling is not necessary, however, Whole Foods said the company values transparency for its customers.
Bills in several states are pending which would require mandatory labeling of genetically modified ingredients. California voted against the state’s bill in a narrow defeat last November. Connecticut is currently considering the passage of a bill on food labeling for GMOs. It would be the first state to pass such a bill, according to The Hartford Courant.
Currently the FDA is expecting to approve the first genetically modified animal — salmon. The “AquAdvantage Salmon” will grow bigger and at a faster rate.
AquaBounty Technologies says its "AquAdvantage Salmon" can grow to market size in half the time of conventional salmon, saving time and resources.
“The fish is essentially Atlantic salmon with a Pacific salmon gene for faster growth and a gene from the eel-like ocean pout that promotes year-round growth.”
Critics say such genetically modified products are not sufficiently tested for safety, carry allergy risks and should be labeled. Proponents disagree and say the products are safe. Whole Foods, Trader Joe's and some retailers announced they would not sell genetically engineered seafood in their stores.
The National Academy of Sciences and the American Medical Association agree that no one has proved any risk from modified foods, but these products are relatively new to our food supply and need to be evaluated for long-term effects.
The American Academy of Environmental Medicine stated, "GM foods pose a serious health risk in the areas of toxicology, allergy and immune function, reproductive health, and metabolic, physiologic and genetic health."
Post-Bulletin writer Jim Riddle recently wrote in an opinion article, “genetically engineered tryptophan [an essential amino acid] killed 37 people and disabled more than 1,500 in the U.S. in the 1990s.” He also added that more than 60 countries already require GMO labeling, including China, Japan and Europe.
For those who want to avoid GMO-containing foods, the surest way is to buy products certified as “organic” under federal standards. They contain no genetically engineered ingredients.
According to the Non-GMO Project, a non-profit organization, listed these foods as “high-risk crops”:
• Alfalfa (first planting 2011)
• Canola (approx. 90 percent of U.S. crop)
• Corn (approx. 88 percent of U.S. crop in 2011)
• Cotton (approx. 90 percent of U.S. crop in 2011)
• Papaya (most of Hawaiian crop; approximately 988 acres)
• Soy (approx. 94 percent of U.S. crop in 2011)
• Sugar Beets (approx. 95 percent of U.S. crop in 2010)
• Zucchini and Yellow Summer Squash (approx. 25,000 acres)
As we wait for FDA approval of the "AquAdvantage Salmon,” it seems the future of our food supply is in the hands of scientists instead of farmers. We can only hope laws will be placed for the labeling of these foods.
