Organic vs. Genetically Modified Food: How to know!

These days, it seems like it is getting more and more difficult to eat healthy. Our busy hectic lives are frantic and we grab what is readily available and fast to eat instead of making healthy choices. Meats, poultry, eggs, dairy, apples, apricots, bell peppers, celery, cherries, peaches, pears, potatoes, red raspberries, spinach, and strawberries contain significant levels of pesticides and/or other artificial substances even after they are washed. It is best to buy such foods in organic form whenever possible. For those of you who do take time to consider what you are putting into your body, this post is for you. This is how to choose the healthiest food options the next time you go to the grocery store. Good to know info!!

1. Fruits & Vegetables: Produce stickers and labels hold a lot more information than simply the name or slogan of a fruit of veggie. By reading the sticker number, you can actually confirm if the piece of produce you hold in your hand is organic, not organic, and/or genetically modified. The label will have a 4 or 5 digit code. If your produce has 4 digits, it means that it was "conventionally grown, but not organic". If it has 5 digits, and begins with a 9, it means that the produce was organically grown. A 5 digit code that begins with an 8 indicates that the produce was genetically modified.Here are a few to get you started.......The kiwi and the apple in the photo to the left has a code "4030". So, this kiwi is not organic, but conventionally grown. It is NOT genetically modified. If an apple sticker said "96584" it would have been grown organically. An apple with "86584" would be genetically altered.

2. Become familiar with the most common genetically modified foods. Among foods, these are the most common modifications:

• Soybeans- A strain of bacteria known as Agrobacterium is inserted into soybeans to make them more resistant to herbicides.
• Corn- One variety of corn has a gene from the soil bacterium Bacillus thuringiensis. It is inserted into the corn to produce the Bt toxin, which poisons moths and butterflies so they will not eat the corn.
• Rapeseed/(used to make Canola Oil)- Genes are added/transferred to make the crops more resistant to herbicides.
• Sugar beets - Genes are added/transferred to make the crops more resistant to Monsanto's Roundup herbicide.
• Cotton - Cotton is engineered to produce the Bt toxin. The seeds are pressed into cottonseed oil, which is a common ingredient in vegetable oil and margarine.
• Dairy - Cows are injected with GE hormone rBGH/rBST. Some are also possibly fed GM (genetically modified)  grains and hay.
• Sugar. In 2012 the FDA approved GM Beet Sugars to be allowed to be sold on the market under the name.... "SUGAR" So now, when we go to buy "All Natural" Breyer's Ice Cream, we can't even know for sure that we are actually eating regular natural cane sugar. If you see "CANE SUGAR" there's a good chance it's not GMO. This is one of the biggest frustrations with labelling, as sugar is in so many things, and we might be avoiding food that POSSIBLY has GMO sugar, but really does not.
• Baked goods: Often has one or more of the common GM ingredients in them. Why do we need corn or soy in our bread, snacks or desserts? It's hard to find mixes to use as well. Some brands avoid GMs, find one you like and try to stick with it. Organic is one option, learning how to cook brownies, etc, from scratch with your own organic oils is another.
  

  

3. Buy food that are labeled 100% Organic. The US and Canadian governments do not allow manufacturers to label something 100% organic if that food has been genetically modified or been fed genetically modified feed. You may find that organic food is more expensive and different in appearance from conventional products. This is because it is not easily mass produced. Also, just because something says "organic" on it does not mean that it does not contain GMs. In fact, it can still contain up to 30% GMs, so be sure the labels say 100% organic. Trusted Organic Certification institutions include QAI, Oregon Tilth, and CCOF. Look for their mark of approval on the label of the product.USDA Organic standards pale in comparison , do not consider a product 100% organic if it is only USDA Organic Certified.

4. Eggs: Eggs labeled "free-range", "natural", or "cage-free" are not necessarily GE-free. Look for eggs to be 100% organic.

5. Meat: Purchase beef that is 100% grass fed. Most cattle in the U.S. are grass-fed, but spend the last portion of their lives in feedlots where they may be given GM corn, the purpose of which is to increase intramuscular fat and marbling. If you're looking to stay away from GMOs, make sure the cattle were 100% grass-fed or pasture-fed (sometimes referred to as grass-finished or pasture-finished). The same applies to meat from other herbivores such as sheep. There is also the slight possibility that the animals were fed GM alfalfa, although this is less likely if you buy meat locally. With non-ruminants like pigs and poultry that cannot be 100% grass-fed, it's better to look for meat that is 100% organic.

6. Shop locally: By shopping at a local farmer's marker or patronizing a local co-op, you may be able to avoid GM products and possibly save money as well. Since I live in Tuscaloosa- I visit P&P Produce, Tuscaloosa Farmer's Market, and the Tuscaloosa River Market often. The River Market has some yummy recipes on their website as well.The produce is beautiful, fresh, local, and less expensive than grocery store produce. 

Happy Shopping!!!