NEW! Bioengineered / GMO Food Label

GMO = Bioengineered

Genetically Modified Organisms (GMO's) are now referred to as BIOENGINEERED. 

The US Department of Agriculture (USDA) established a new national mandatory requirement to disclose foods that are bioengineered/GMO or have bioengineered/GMO ingredients. 

The goal of the new disclosure law is to require food producers to inform customers about the foods and ingredients that come from bioengineered/GMO crops. AllianceforScience

Bioengineered/GMO crops include soy, cotton, corn, canola and sugar beets grown through genetic techniques. USDA

Many bioengineered/GMO crops are used to make ingredients that are in processed foods such as cornstarch, corn syrup, soybean oil, canola oil, cottonseed oil, and sugar. FDA

Additional bioengineered/GMO ingredients include: Aspartame, Nutrasweet, baking powder, MSG (monosodium glutamate), alcohol and baby formula. Mamavation

Fresh fruit and vegetables that are bioengineered/GMO include potatoes, summer squash, apples, papayas, and pink pineapples. FDA

The National Bioengineered Food Disclosure Law (NBFDL) and USDA’s regulations require all foods and ingredients that are bioengineered/GMO to have a disclosure or label using one of four methods.

1. Text on the food product packaging such as as “this is a bioengineered food” or “contains bioengineered ingredients”.

2. Bioengineering label on the packaging.

   

3. Electronic or digital link on the package such as a QR code, bar code, or SmartLabel.

The link takes you to an online webpage with disclosure information.

4. Phone number on the package which you can call or text to receive information about the bioengineered content. 

*Note that the required bioengineered/GMO disclosure/label is not always readily apparent. Look at your package closely!  The majority of packages do not include the big green Bioengineered label.  Most packaging has a very small disclosure statement in tiny font near the ingredients list.  

Foods That Are Not Included in the the New Bioengineering/GMO Disclosure Law 

There are several exemptions from the new law.  Ultra-proccesed foods which have no detectable modified DNA do not have to be identified as bioengineered/GMO. This type of ingredient includes: sugar, corn oil, canola oil and high fructose corn syrup. AllianceforScience

Also, there are no requirements to tell you if an animal was fed bioengineered/GMO crops, or if the meat in a prepared food (like a frozen meal) was produced with bioengineering/GMO ingredients. Rainbow Acres

What is Bioengineered/GMO?

GMO stands for Genetically Modified Organism. Organisms are plants, animals, bacteria, or viruses.  Genetically modified organisms are organisms that have had their DNA changed using science. Scientists can take the trait of one organism and inject it into another organism's DNA to change it.

Bioengineered or GMO is when the genetic structure of a plant or animal has been scientifically modified in a lab to produce a new crop that will be better for farming. Rainbow Acres  

Why Grow Bioengineered/GMO Crops?

Bioengineered/GMO crops have resulted in a 22% increase in agricultural yield and a 68% increase in farmers’ profit. National Library of Medicine

With bioengineering/GMO farmers are able to spray the herbicide Glysophate / RoundUp

on soy, corn and cotton plants for weed prevention without killing the crop itself. Forbes

Bt Corn was developed to produce the insecticide Bt toxin. With this toxin, the corn is able to resist pests. HealthLine

Bioengineered techniques can also enhance foods’ nutrients, flavor, and appearance. HealthLine  For example, Golden Rice was developed to prevent blindness. HealthLine  Browning Resistant Apples were created so that sliced apples do not brown when exposed to air. ScientificAmerican

Volume of Bioengineered/GMO Crops

Large scale commercial production of bioengineered/GMO crops began in 1994 and has rapidly expanded. National Library of Medicine

Over the last 28 years, the use of genetic modification has become an industry standard. 

USDA

Today bioengineered/GMO crops are incredibly common in the US, with at least 90% of soy, cotton, and corn grown through genetic techniques. HealthLine 

The graph above indicates that in 2020, bioengineered/GMO canola and sugar beets made up 100% of all seeds planted. 

Why Isn't Wheat Bioengineered/GMO?

Globally wheat is the most widely grown cereal crop, farmed on more acres than any other commercial crop. EngageTheChain Wheat is produced on the third most acres in the US  following corn and soybeans. AgricultureMarket

Because wheat tends to be used directly as a human food ingredient and because of consumer concerns about genetically modified food, there is less investment in genetic engineering in wheat as compared to corn and soybeans. AgricultureMarket

Bioengineered/GMO wheat has never been grown for commercial purposes due to consumer fears about allergens and toxicities when used for bread, pasta and pastries.  Bioengineered/GMO varieties of corn and soy, used for animal feed, biofuels and ingredients like cooking oil, are common. Reuters

Concerns with Bioengineering/GMO

According to the FDA bioengineered/GMO foods are as healthy and safe to eat as non-bioengineered/GMO products. FDA.gov

However, twenty six countries including France, Germany, Italy, Mexico, Russia, China, and India have partially or fully banned bioengineered/GMO crops. National Library of Medicine

Also, 64 countries, including Russia, China, Brazil, Australia, Turkey, South Africa and part of the European Union require mandatory bioengineered/GMO food labeling. Center for Food Safety

The main concerns around bioengineered/GMO crops include allergies, cancer, and environmental issues. While current research suggests few risks, more long term research is needed. HealthLine

Since the purpose of most bioengineered/GMO crops is to tolerate pesticides there are significantly more pesticides in our soils, waterways and air than ever before, and more exposure for people who work directly with or around pesticides. FoodPrint

The six biggest producers of bioengineered/GMO seeds are also the biggest producers of chemical herbicides and insecticides. Monsanto’s Roundup Ready crops, for example, are genetically engineered to be immune to herbicide so that farmers can destroy weeds without killing their crops. But the process has made Roundup resistant weeds, leading farmers to apply greater and greater doses of the chemical or even resort to more toxic methods to battle back the superweeds. MotherJones

If you are interested in more information on the herbicide Glysophate (RoundUP) this podcast gives a good explanation on the impact to our health: Just Ingedients Podcast

Four Awesome Food Labels To Look For

           

 

   

Most people (including myself) rely on food packaging for information on ingredients, nutritional value, and how it was produced. You have probably noticed the nutrition facts panel on your food packaging. The panel includes serving size, calories and nutrients. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulates packaged food sold in the US and requires the nutrition facts panel and a list of ingredients.

Food and beverage companies frequently provide additional food labels which are not required by the FDA. The labels provide claims about the product such as how the animals were raised, if the seeds for produce are nonGMO or the quantity of whole grain.

Four common healthy food labels include: USDA Organic, NonGMO Project Verified, rBST Free and 100% Whole Grain.

1.  The USDA (United States Department of Agriculture) Organic label has been around since 2002 and is an awesome label to ensure your food is healthy.

Congress passed the Organic Foods Production Act of 1990 to establish national standards. The final rule went into effect in 2002 requiring that organic farmers and processors must be certified by a State or private agency accredited under national standards in order to use the USDA Organic label. USDA.gov

The use of genetic engineering, or genetically modified organisms (GMOs), is prohibited in organic products. This means an organic farmer can’t plant GMO seeds, an organic cow can’t eat GMO alfalfa or corn, and an organic soup producer can’t use any GMO ingredients. Organic meat, poultry, eggs, and dairy products come from animals that are given no antibiotics or growth hormones.

To meet the USDA Organic regulations, farmers and processors must show they aren’t using GMOs and that they are protecting their products from contact with prohibited substances. USDA.gov

In order to make an organic claim or use the USDA Organic Label the final product must follow strict production, handling and labeling standards and go through the organic certification process. The standards address a variety of factors such as soil quality, animal raising practices, and pest and weed control (including Glysophate / RoundUp).

The use of sewage sludge and irradiation cannot be used in USDA Organic foods. USDA.gov

The USDA Organic certification does not allow the use of Hexane which is a highly flammable EPA listed air pollutant that is used in the manufacture of cleaning agents, glues, roof sealer and automobile tires.  

Hexane is also used in making energy bars, veggie burgers and soy, corn and canola oils. If these food products are not certified organic some of the ingredients have probably been processed with hexane. Since hexane is used in the manufacturing process, it is not listed as an ingredient, though residues find their way into the finished product. MetroSiliconValley

The use of the animal food additive, Ractopomine is also not allowed in USDA Organic products.

There are many benefits to eating foods which do not contain pesticides. Pesticides have been found to cause cancer, neurological effects and reproductive effects on farmworkers, their children and other community members who live near farms where pesticides are applied. International Agency for Research on Cancer

Organic grass fed meat and milk have more healthy fats in them, because the animals are raised on grass. In addition organic meat and eggs are raised without growth hormones, unnecessary antibiotics or other additives. FoodPrints

USDA Organic certification is applicable for all food categories: grains, produce, dairy, and meat, poultry and eggs.

2.  The NonGMO Project Verified label is another excellent label for healthy food. It has been around since 2007.

The NonGMO Project is a nonprofit organization protecting your right to know what's in your food. The NonGMO Project administers North America's most rigorous certification for avoiding GMOs. NonGMO Project

NonGMO Project Verified products have gone through strict assessments and programs to minimize the risk of GMO contamination.

While this certification prohibits GMOs it is not as rigorous as the USDA Organic certification. The NonGMO certification does not include any type of restrictions for synthetic pesticides, herbicides such as Glysophate / RoundUp, the use of sewage sludge, antibiotics, growth hormones, hexane or the feed additive, Ractopomine.

Grains, produce, dairy, and meat, poultry and eggs can all be certified NonGMO Project Verified.

3.  The rBST Free label is an outstanding label to ensure dairy products such as milk, cheese and yogurt do not contain synthetic growth hormones. The guidelines for rBST Free labeling were initiated in 1994 by the FDA. Mass.gov

 

rBST stands for recombinant Bovine SomatoTropin also known by its Monsanto trade name Posilac. It is a synthetic genetically engineered growth hormone that is injected into cows to increase milk production. CGA

It is also known as: rbGH (recombinant Bovine Growth Hormone) or BGH (Bovine Growth Hormone).

Because cows' milk contains some rBST naturally, there is no test that proves milk has come from a cow treated with the synthetic hormone. SuperMarketNews

In order to place the rBST label on food packaging the FDA guidelines require documentation showing that rBST was not given to cows for milk production. SuperMarketNews

There is evidence that the use of rBST can cause an increased risk of mastitis, an infection of a cow’s udder, which is commonly treated with antibiotics. The results of antibiotics found in milk has been linked to increased risk of breast, colon, and prostate cancer. AggieTranscript

The rBST Free label can be found on cottage cheese, milk, and other dairy products.

*Note - some packaging does not have a rBST Free label but a statement: "Our farmers have pledged to not treat any of their cows with any artificial growth hormones."

4.  The Whole Grain label is a wonderful label to make sure you are eating healthy grains. The terms "wheat" and "grain" alone don't always guarantee that the product is made with whole grain.

The FDA has not established labeling standards for whole grains. However, the US based Whole Grains Council has created a set of guidelines for whole grain labeling and uses labels  on food packaging to help consumers identify approved whole grain products. Food Insight

The Whole Grain label indicates that the grain is "whole" which means it has not been processed, bleached or filtered. Whole grains or foods made from them contain all the essential parts and naturally occurring nutrients of the entire grain seed in their original proportions. Whole grains include the endosperm, germ, and bran. Whole Grains Council

Refined grains, like white bread, are those that are stripped of their fiber and nutrient rich bran and germ parts, leaving only the starchy endosperm. While tasty, these loaves offer little nutritional value. Real Simple

Whole grains are a source of carbohydrates, multiple nutrients and dietary fiber. Wikipedia

Research shows that whole grain products are associated with reduced risk of type 2 diabetes, heart disease, cancer, respiratory disease, and infections. Real Simple

Whole grains can include: amaranth, barley, brown, wild and colored rice, buckwheat, bulgur, cornmeal, farro, millet, oats and oatmeal, popcorn, quinoa, sorghum, spelt, teff, triticale, rye, and wheat. Whole Grains Council

*Note: Make sure to look at the whole grain label closely! In addition to the 100% Whole Grain label there are also the 50% Whole Grain and Basic Whole Grain labels (see photo below). 

The 100% Stamp means that all of the grain in a product is whole grain, while the 50%+ Stamp shows that at least 50% of the grain in a product is whole grain. If a product contains whole grain but less than 50% of the grain is whole, it can qualify for the Basic Stamp. Whole Grain Stamp

These two labels are also healthy but make sure you know what you are buying!

      

By inspecting the labels on your food packaging you will be informed about what you are buying and in control what you are eating. 

Given below are four tips on how to use healthy labels to your advantage.

1. Evaluate Price - Look at labels and purchase foods that are within your budget. For example, USDA Organic oatmeal is almost double the cost of NonGMO Project Verified Oatmeal. 

2. Investigate Menu Favorites - Research foods that you eat frequently.  For example strawberries are known to contain a lot of pesticides so if you eat them everyday you could purchase USDA Organic strawberries. CNBC  However, if you eat a lot of bananas it isn't really worth the extra cost to purchase USDA Organic bananas because they are considered to have low to moderate levels of pesticide residue. WebMD

3. Evaluate Ingredients as well as Labels - In addition to looking at the labels also look at the ingredients. For example Organic Bread Of Heaven Rustic Sourdough has only 5 ingredients as compared to 365 Whole Foods Market Organic Sandwich Sourdough Bread which has 16 ingredients including soy lecithin and sugar.

4. Avoid Processed Foods - Processed foods almost always include GMO's because they are often made with GMO corn, soy, canola and/or sugar beets.

This Food Label Summary is a one page document to have on hand next time you go shopping!