Clean Eating

Take the non-GMO Pledge

October 24, 2011

The damage that Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs) have (or will have) on us and future generations is at best simply unknown at this time

At worst GMOs pose to be a major catalyst in direct relation to serious health risks. The use of GMOs in industrialized farming techniques backed by biotech giants such as Monsanto poses immediate threats to the sustainability of a healthy food supply, non-GMO/organic farmers, and biodiversity. The other issue is the FDA does not demand labeling GMO foods as such so we can easily IDENTIFY and then CHOOSE what we put into our bodies. If foods containing GMOs were effectively labeled people would be more likely to steer clear of them by selecting (and putting their money towards) non-GMO foods. This in turn leads to smaller profits for Genetically Engineered (GE) food manufacturers which then leads to more companies not wanting to produce them. Hence, you guessed it–reducing the overall threat to our healthy and safe food supply.

Companies are in business to make a profit. Simply put, if GMO foods are no longer profitable (or less profitable) more companies will make less of them.

If a food label stated it contains GMOs would you choose to buy a safer alternative?

In reality, labels on non-GMO products keep you in the dark on the real nature of ingredients and then go a step further by claiming the product is ‘natural‘ or healthy! I’m sure you can see how simply requiring food manufacturers by law to label GMO foods will greatly lower the demand for that product and negatively impact profitability.

Take the non-GMO pledge to buy only non-GMO foods to do your part and tip the scales towards food manufacturers that share in your ideals and produce non-GMO food products. It will take a little effort on your part to become educated and read labels so you know what to look for until of course, FDA passes mandatory GMO food labeling laws (which looks promising in 2012 for California). Take the Non-GMO Project Consumers Pledge

Why is GMO labeling so important?

Right now you can choose organic foods which are required to be grown and processed without GMOs and this is the only way to ensure you are not consuming harmful GMOs short of scrutinizing each label and becoming a full-time food detective. Does it upset you that you have to go to such great lengths and out of your way just to ensure you have healthy food to put into your body? Misleading labels that claim to be ‘natural’ or ‘healthy’ often are often latent with GMO and biotech companies such as Monsanto spending Billions to fight GMO labeling initiatives. As the GE industry grows so does the threat to organic farmers.

How common are GMOs?

“According to the USDA, in 2009, 93% of soy, 93% of cotton, and 86% of corn grown in the U.S. were GMO. It is estimated that over 90% of canola grown is GMO, and there are also commercially produced GM varieties of sugar beets, squash and Hawaiian Papaya. As a result, it is estimated that GMOs are now present in more than 80% of packaged products in the average U.S. or Canadian grocery store.” -Read more, http://www.nongmoproject.org/learn-more/

Help promote truth in labeling and food safety by demanding GMO labeling and your right to know.
Click here to tell the FDA: Label Your Food

Become a Non-GMO Tipper

“We need about 5% of US shoppers-15 million people or 5.6 million households-to choose healthier non-GMO brands in order to generate a non-GMO tipping point.Stopping GMOs is simply a numbers game. When enough shoppers stop buying GMO brands, the food industry will kick out all genetically modified (GM) ingredients. This happened in Europe, and it’s happening in the US with GM bovine growth hormone (rbGH).

“It’s just a matter of reaching enough people. That’s what our educational tools and talking points are designed to do.”

~ Jeffrey M. Smith, Founder of The Institute for Responsible Technology (IRT) and international bestselling author and GMO expert