A Shopping Eating Guide to Non-GMO FoodsBy Catherine J. Frompovich Hopefully, this guide can make that easier and, certainly, more reliable. Ive pulled together as comprehensive a guide as possible from various online sources to take into consideration as many relevant aspects and angles of the Non-GMO / GMO conundrum. A most peculiar conundrum of sorts, which Id like to hash around since Im discussing food, is that GMOs are approved for safety by the U.S. FDA. According to GMOSeralini, Contrary to many peoples belief, the FDA does not have a mandatory GM food safety assessment process and has never approved a GM food as safe. It does not carry out or commission safety tests on GM foods. [CJF emphasis] Instead, the FDA operates a voluntary programme for pre-market review of GM foods. All GM food crops commercialized to date have gone through this review process, but there is no legal requirement for them to do so. Companies that develop GM crops are allowed to put any GMO (genetically modified organism) on the market that they wish without even notifying the FDA, though they can be held liable for any harm to consumers that results from it. In the USA and all other countries worldwide, GM crops are tested for safety by the same GM seed companies that stand to profit from selling the seed and accompanying chemicals. Generally neither the FDA nor any regulatory agency worldwide does its own independent testing of GM crops. The outcome of the FDAs voluntary assessment is not a conclusion, underwritten by the FDA, that the GMO is safe. Instead it consists of the FDA sending the company a letter stating that the company is responsible for placing only safe foods in the market and that if a product is found to be unsafe, the company may be liable. [16] [16. US Food and Drug Administration. Biotechnology consultation agency response letter BNF No. 000001. 27 January 1995. http://www.fda.gov/Food/Biotechnology/Submissions/ucm161129.htm] Clearly, this process does not guarantee or even attempt to investigate the safety of GM foods. It does not protect the public, though it may protect the FDA from legal liability in the event that harm is caused by a GM food. [1] [CJF emphasis added] Interestinglyor rather ironicallythe FDA categorically does not have the capacity to ensure food safety for the USA! What? Please see this report: FDA Science and Mission at Risk. Now, before we get into resources for shopping and eating, I think readers ought to know which foods/crops have been genetically modified and approved. According to the International Service for the Acquisition of Agri-Biotech Applications, 29 plants have been genetically modified.[2] The ISAAAs database contains a wealth of GMO technology information, which I encourage readers to study to understand whats happening to food. Almost 3 dozen GM traits are referenced, including glyphosate herbicide tolerance. Another database gives information about GMO developers, while another section enumerates Approved GM Events by Country. Moving along to the next important GMO smokescreen, we need to examine the enormous database Comprehensive List of GMO Products, which provides the brands and products containing GMOs: Anything from Baby Foods to Tomatoes and Sauces, plus just about everything in between. This should be a keeper. The next important piece of information is Which Fast Food Items DONT Contain GMOs? Even though that webpage may need some updating in view of recent food purveyors decisions about their products, it will give readers an idea of what to consider when purchasing fast food items. This webpage talks about 10 ways to avoid GMOs when you eat out. However, there are fast food chains that are doing something more than talking about providing healthier foods. Here are some trailblazing trendsetters whom I want to congratulate: Chipotle, the Mexican-style eatery, is on record as saying Food with Integrity G-M-Over It Thank you, and congratulations on such progressive thinking. To prove it, heres their Ingredient Statement for an impressive menu with a legend identifying foods as NG (NonGmo Ingredients), L (Local), R (Responsibly Raised Meats), O (Organic), D (Pasture-Raised Dairy) WOW! Panera Bread says, Food You Can Trust along with their commitment. And heres what I like especially: The No No List that states, We are committed to removing artificial preservatives, sweeteners, colors and flavors from the food in our bakery-cafes by the end of 2016 and they list them here. Hallelujah! Finally some chain sees the merits of taking out all the chemical crap from food. Grocery Store Chains Trader Joes Product Statement claims there are no artificial flavors or preservatives, synthetic colors, MSG, GMO ingredients, and partially-hydrogenated oils. The chain offers some fresh, frozen and packaged organic foods. However, within the last year or so, TJ apparently switched some of their product manufacturers and recipes, which made me stop buying their frozen vegetarian organic burritosthey were the best ever. Shucks! Heres TJs labeling guide, which Id like to see have the NON GMO Project Verified Products seal too! One of the best assurances that you are neither purchasing nor eating GMOs is to look for the NON GMO Project Verified Products seal/logo on packages. Heres a listing of the 12 Best Genetically-Modified-Free Grocery Stores in the USA and Saskatchewan, Canada. Some grocery store chains are thinking twice and not selling Franken fish. According to the Center for Food Safety, The total number of companies committed to not sell genetically engineered salmon now stands at more than 60 retailers, including Target, Whole Foods, Trader Joes, Aldi, H-E-B, Meijer, Hy- Vee, Marsh, Giant Eagle, and now Safeway and Kroger, representing more than 9,000 grocery stores across the country. [Thank you very much!] Another GMO food, the potato, literally is becoming a hot potato in more ways than temperature. McDonalds has gone on record as refusing to purchase GM potatoes for its famous fries.[4] The Innate potato, as its called, wont turn brownoxidizewhen cut. Personally, I wonder how the GM tinkering affected the Innate potatoes vitamin C content. Heres a listing of The Top 20 Most Credible Food Brands, including the brand that says GPA-free cans on its label. I wish every food canner would implement that consumer-friendly outreach for their brand. For cooks who use frozen foods, here are The 3 Healthiest Frozen Food Brands. Personally and on occasion, I enjoy Amys Indian-style frozen foodsand theyre organic with no canola oilan extra special important dietary feature for me. However, Ive saved the most important resource for last: Dr. David Samadi, MD, who says, I avoid GMOs, and Id advise you to do all you can to adopt a diet free of genetically engineered food. Doctor has a wonderful webpage that I think readers should study. As a retired consulting natural nutritionist, I must offer my most sincere congratulations to Dr. Samadi for having the good medical and common sense to understand that GMOs probably are real Franken food. Thank you, Doctor; I truly wish there were more MDs who think like you do. Heres what he has to say about GMO foods: Look for the Non-GMO Project seal: Products are independently verified to be in compliance with North Americas only third-party standard for GMO avoidance. On the other side, we have the American Academy of Environmental Medicine warning of serious health risks associated with GM foods including infertility, immune problems, accelerated aging, insulin resistance, diabetes and changes in major organs and the gastrointestinal system. Some studies have shown it may increase inflammation around the bowels and potentially harm kidney and liver function. And finally, heres the Institute for Responsibility Technologys 24-page NonGMO Shopping Guide. Bon NonGMO apptit! Resources: GMO Seralini: The Seralini Team / Independent Research and Science ISAAAs GM Approval Database Grocery Stores Wont Sell Genetically Modified Fish US Consumer Pressure Forces McDonalds and Other Fast Foods Chains to Ban GE Potatoes Shopping List Catherine J Frompovich (website) is a retired natural nutritionist who earned advanced degrees in Nutrition and Holistic Health Sciences, Certification in Orthomolecular Theory and Practice plus Paralegal Studies.Her work has been published in national and airline magazines since the early 1980s. Catherine authored numerous books on health issues along with co-authoring papers and monographs with physicians, nurses, and holistic healthcare professionals. She has been a consumer healthcare researcher 35 years and counting. Catherines latest book,published October 4, 2013, is Vaccination Voodoo, What YOU Dont Know About Vaccines, available on Amazon.com. Her 2012 book A Cancer Answer, Holistic BREAST Cancer Management, A Guide to Effective Non-Toxic Treatments, is available on Amazon.com and as a Kindle eBook. Two of Catherines more recent books on Amazon.com are Our Chemical Lives And The Hijacking Of Our DNA, A Probe Into Whats Probably Making Us Sick (2009) and Lord, How Can I Make It Through Grieving My Loss, An Inspirational Guide Through the Grieving Process(2008) CLASS ACTION LAWSUITS. GMO Good you, and thank YOU. thank you for the information. A great article.thank you and I will review your links. 