Food

What is Food?

Food is any nutritious substance that people or animals eat or drink, or that plants absorb, in order to maintain life and growth.

How much nutritious food do you actually eat?

Reflect upon the food that you and your family eats on a daily basis. Is it actually food? Is it Genetically Modified? Is it labeled natural? Does it contain propylene glycol, preservatives, food dyes? Does it make you feel alive or do you feel sluggish and sleepy after you eat?

Be sure to view the video clips, under Resources, to educate yourself on Genetically Modified Foods. Review the list below and avoid all products that are not organic and contain these ingredients. Look for the non-GMO Verified Labels on foods that are safe to eat. Review the list of “safe” companies to purchase from. Shop at local Coops and Natural Foods Markets and look for the non-GMO project verified label on packaging. Learn about how to shop for True Food in this shoppers-guide.

What are GMO’s?

GMOs, or “genetically modified organisms,” are plants or animals created through the gene splicing techniques of biotechnology (also called genetic engineering, or GE). This experimental technology merges DNA from different species, creating unstable combinations of plant, animal, bacterial and viral genes that cannot occur in nature or in traditional crossbreeding.

Virtually all commercial GMOs are engineered to withstand direct application of herbicide and/or to produce an insecticide. Despite biotech industry promises, none of the GMO traits currently on the market offer increased yield, drought tolerance, enhanced nutrition, or any other consumer benefit.

Meanwhile, a growing body of evidence connects GMOs with health problems, environmental damage and violation of farmers’ and consumers’ rights…

Are GMOs Safe To Eat?

Most developed nations do not consider GMOs to be safe. In nearly 50 countries around the world, including Australia, Japan, and all of the countries in the European Union, there are significant restrictions or outright bans on the production and sale of GMOs. In the U.S., the government has approved GMOs based on studies conducted by the same corporations that created them and profit from their sale. Increasingly, Americans are taking matters into their own hands and choosing to opt out of the GMO experiment.

Are GMOs Labeled?

Unfortunately, even though polls consistently show that a significant majority of Americans want to know if the food they’re purchasing contains GMOs, the powerful biotech lobby has succeeded in keeping this information from the public. In the absence of mandatory labeling, the Non-GMO Project was created to give consumers the informed choice they deserve.

What Are The Impacts of GMOs On The Environment?

Over 80% of all GMOs grown worldwide are engineered for herbicide tolerance. As a result, use of toxic herbicides like Roundup has increased 15 times since GMOs were introduced. GMO crops are also responsible for the emergence of “super weeds” and “super bugs”, which can only be killed with ever more toxic poisons like 2, 4-D (a major ingredient in Agent Orange). GMOs are a direct extension of chemical agriculture, and are developed and sold by the world’s biggest chemical companies. The long-term impacts of GMOs are unknown, and once released into the environment these novel organisms cannot be recalled.

How Do GMOs Affect Farmers?

Because GMOs are novel life forms, biotechnology companies have been able to obtain patents with which to restrict their use. As a result, the companies that make GMOs now have the power to sue farmers whose fields are contaminated with GMOs, even when it is the result of inevitable drift from neighboring fields. GMOs therefore pose a serious threat to farmer sovereignty and to the national food security of any country where they are grown, including the United States.

How Can I Avoid GMOs?

In the U.S., GMO’s are in as much as 80% of conventional processed food. To avoid GMOs, look for the Non-GMO Project Verified Label.

Which Foods Might Be GMO?

The following crops are at risk of being genetically engineered, either because GMO varieties are in commercial production, or because of contamination from unapproved trial varieties. Ingredients from these crops may not be used in Non-GMO Project Verified products unless DNA testing shows them to be compliant with the Non-GMO Project Standards. Remember the GMO AND ORGANIC FOOD CODES to look for when shopping for edible non-GMO food.

11 Genetically Engineered Foods you should avoid:

1. Soy

2. Corn

3. Cotton

4. Papaya

5. Crookneck Yellow Summer Squash

6. Zucchini

7. Canola

8. Sugar Beets

9. Rice

10. Flax

11. Alfalfa

Ingredients derived from these risk crops include (but are not limited to): Amino Acids, Aspartame, Ascorbic Acid, Sodium Ascorbate, Vitamin C, Citric Acid, Sodium Citrate, Ethanol, Flavorings (“natural” and “artificial”), High-Fructose Corn Syrup, Hydrolyzed Vegetable Protein, actic Acid, Maltodextrins, Molasses, Monosodium Glutamate, Sucrose, Textured Vegetable Protein (TVP), Xanthan Gum, Vitamins, Yeast Products.

The following animal derivatives are also considered high-risk by the Non-GMO Project Standard, because of potential GMO contamination in feed and other inputs:

1. Milk

2. Meat

3. Eggs

4. Honey & other bee products

This information comes from The Non-GMO Project, a non-profit organization committed to preserving and building sources of non-GMO products, educating consumers, and providing verified non-GMO choices.

A list of GMO-Free Food Companies

These brands, at the time of writing, source their ingredients from GMO-free supplies. If you’re concerned about the very real threat that genetically modified organisms pose to our food supply and ultimate health, please purchase from these companies and contact them to let them know that you support and value their decision to use non-GMO soy, corn, canola and other ingredients. Please enjoy this GMO-free food list and share it.

Arrowhead Mills: GMO-free providers of baking mixes and flours found in both natural health food stores and regular supermarkets.
Eden Foods: GMO-free providers of canned goods, noodles, tamari, miso, vinegar and Asian foodstuffs.
Natural Choice Foods: GMO-free roviders of frozen dessert products.
Purity Foods: GMO-free makers of spelt-based noodles, snacks and other goodies.
Rapunzel: My all-time favorite chocolate company. They also sell speciality oils.
Spectrum Oils: GMO-free manufacturer of speciality oils, cooking oils, salad oils and natural shortening.
Genisoy: Uses only certified GMO-free soybeans for their many soy products.
Earth’s Best: Baby food manufacturer uses non-GMO ingredients.
Healthy Times: Baby food manufacturer uses non-gmo ingredients.
Bob’s Red Mill: GMO-free provider of baking mixes and specialty flours.
Pamela’s Products: Provider of luscious gluten-free baking mixes sources non-GMO ingredients.
Whole Foods Store Brands: Whole foods has made the commitment to sourcing its ingredients from GMO-free sources.
Cascadian Farms: Provider of frozen entrees, juices, frozen vegetables and fruit, yogurt and other foods.
Imagine Foods: GMO-free provider of soy and rice milk as well as broth and other foods.
Muir Glen: Source of canned goods and vegetable juice uses gmo-free foods.
Thai Kitchen: Source for coconut milks and Asian ingredients sources gmo-free ingredients.
Amy’s Kitchen: GMO-free source of canned soups, chilies, boxed and frozen meals.
Nature’s Path: Manufacturer of cereals and snack bars made with ingredients sourced gmo-free.
Annie’s Naturals: Manufacturer of BBQ sauce, salad dressings and other condiments sourced from gmo-free ingredients.
San J: GMO-free manufacturer of soy sauce, shoyu and tamari.
Tradition Miso: Manufacturer of miso pastes that are made from GMO-free ingredients.
Barbara’s Bakery: Manufacturer of cookies sources from gmo-free ingredients.
Lundberg Family Farms: GMO-free provider of rice and wild rice foods including raw rice, soups and convenience foods.
Walkers: Provider of the best shortbread cookies ever as well as other sweet treats.
Fantastic Foods: Provider of hummus, falafel, risotto couscous, soup and other mixes with gmo-free ingredients.
Vitasoy: Manufacturer of soy-based foods sourced from gmo-free ingredients.
Clif: Manufacturer of energy bars sourced from gmo-free foods.
Kettle Chips: GMO-free manufacturer of potato and tortilla chips.
Que Pasa: Manufacturer of tortilla chips and other Mexican foods sourced from non-gmo ingredients.
Garden of Eatin: Manufacturer of chips, salsas and other snack foods.
French Meadow Bakery: Manufacturer of bread and baked goods using non-gmo ingredients.
White Wave: Manufacturer of soy products including tofu and tempeh using gmo-free soy.
Bearitos: Manufacturer of snack foods and dips using gmo-free foods.
Chaffin Family Orchards: Is committed to GMO-free foods and sells an assortment of goods including olive oil.
Cultures for Health: All starters and products sold at Cultures for Health are GMO-free.
Grindstone Bakery: GMO-free provider of wheat- and gluten-free bread.
Pure Indian Foods: GMO-free provider of grass-fed ghee.
To Your Health: Provider of gmo-free sprouted breads and sprouted flours.
US Wellness Meats: Provider of pasture- and grass-fed meats free of GMO supplemental feed.
Zukay: Provider of live cultured condiments and salsa free from GMO.
Wisconsin Healthy Grown Potatoes: GMO-free potatoes.

If you have a question about a certain product or brand that is not listed here, you should call the company. One of the best ways to raise awareness among the food corporations is to voice your concerns directly to them and boycott companies who continue to use ingredients from genetically modified sources.

Disclaimer

These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA. The products and methods recommended are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any illness or disease, nor is it intended to replace proper medical help. As members offer or look for answers, kindly understand that essential oils work to help to bring the body into balance – thus helping the body’s natural defenses to restore homeostasis. Essential oils are not used to “treat” medical problems.