This week headlines about GMOs (Genetically Modified Organisms) splashed all over major media outlets across the country. This media firestorm was in response to a new report released by Consumer Reports regarding GMOs in American food products. This report finally shared what I have thought all along: Non-labeled food products most likely contain GMOs if the ingredients include a corn or soy byproduct.
Before I get into the shocking results of the report, I want to share with you why I personally try to avoid GMOs in my diet:
- There are no mandatory safety assessments required before GMOs are introduced into our food system.
- GMOs have contributed to more toxic pesticide usage since their inception. I want the pollution of our earth to stop. The types of environmental chemicals we are being exposed to are what the President’s Cancer Panel says will destine 41% of us to get cancer in our lifetime.
- There are no long term human studies to prove GMOs are safe.
- GMOs are responsible for killing bee colonies. Without bees, we are in big trouble.
- I could go on with more reasons, but one in particular is very personal. I used to suffer from some of the worst allergies. I have been hospitalized multiple times because of them. I used to be on several prescription drugs to control them too. When I removed GMOs from my diet, eating a majority of organic whole, unprocessed foods, my allergies vanished and was able to stop taking all my prescription medications. I feel like I have ten times more energy now and feel incredible. For this reason alone, I take avoiding GMOs very seriously.
GMOs are running rampant in our food supply
Earlier this year, the Consumer Reports Food Safety and Sustainability Center sent out secret shoppers to purchase more than 80 processed food products in New York and Seattle, which included a wide range of products all containing corn or soy ingredients: breakfast cereals, bars, corn chips, corn tortillas, baking mixes and flours, baby formulas, meat substitutes, soy “dairy” products, and tofu/tempeh products. Then, they tested these products to see if they contained any GMO ingredients, and if so, how much. This is important because the overwhelming majority of processed food in America contains corn or soy ingredients, which are also the most prevalent genetically modified crops, yet most major food manufacturers are strongly against labeling GMO ingredients. We are being left in the dark in this country, and virtually the only way to know whether a product contains GMOs is to have it tested – and that’s exactly what Consumer Reports did.
What I love about their report is that Consumer Reports essentially just slapped a big fat GMO label on a few dozen everyday food products here in America, including many that are considered “Natural” and healthy. The manufacturers of these foods do not want you to know that their products contain GMOs and have collectively spent millions of dollars to fight against labeling laws, depriving us of our right to know. This is outrageous considering that 92% of American consumers want GMO labels on food and are becoming increasingly aware of how prevalent GMOs have become in our food supply.
The “Natural” Label: It’s a sham.
Consumer Reports tested several products that are labeled as “Natural” because they found that the majority of Americans still believe that the “Natural” label means that they are non-GMO. As I’ve written about in the past, the word “Natural” on a product means absolutely nothing in regards to GMOs – the FDA has failed to define the use of this term which allows food manufacturers to deceptively label their products as “Natural” to trick us into thinking their product is better than the others on the shelf. Consumer Reports notes that, “Consumers who want to avoid GE ingredients should not rely on products labeled “natural” to avoid GMOs. This label is highly confusing and generally misleading for consumers and Consumer Reports is asking the government to ban its use on food”. They should – because GMOs are not natural. As put by the Institute for Responsible Technology:
“A GMO (genetically modified organism) is the result of a laboratory process where genes from the DNA of one species are extracted and artificially forced into the genes of an unrelated plant or animal. The foreign genes may come from bacteria, viruses, insects, animals or even humans… With genetic engineering, scientists can breach species barriers set up by nature. For example, they have spliced fish genes into tomatoes. The results are plants (or animals) with traits that would be virtually impossible to obtain with natural processes, such as crossbreeding or grafting.”
Yet, GMOs remain in “Natural” foods all over the country.
Consumer Reports found that some “Natural” products contained similar amounts of GMOs as their counterparts without a natural label. For instance, they found substantial quantities of GMO corn or GMO soy in popular “Natural” foods such as Kashi GoLean Honey & Cinnamon hot cereal (owned by Kellogg’s), Utz All Natural Multigrain Tortillas, and Nature Valley Crunchy Oats ‘N Honey Granola Bars (owned by General Mills).
From Consumer Reports – Products guilty of using GMOs (A-Z):
Betty Crocker Authentic Cornbread & Muffin Mix
Boca Original Vegan Veggie Burgers
Corn Tortillas/Tortilla Flour
Doritos Oven Baked Nacho Cheese
Enfamil ProSobee Soy Infant Formula
General Mills Cocoa Puffs
General Mills Corn Chex
General Mills Kix
General Mills Trix
Gerber Good Start Soy
Jiffy Corn Muffin Mix
Kashi GoLean (in the process of of getting Non-GMO project verified)
Kashi GoLean Hearty Honey & Cinnamon (Hot Cereal)
Kellogg’s Froot Loops
Kellogg’s Special K Protein Chocolatey Peanut Butter Granola Snack Bar
Krusteaz Natural Honey Cornbread & Muffin Mix
La Banderita Corn Tortillas
Maseca Instant Corn Masa Flour
Mission White Corn Tortillas
Mission Yellow Corn Tortillas
MorningStar Farms Chik’n Nuggets
MorningStar Farms Grillers California Turk’y Burger
Nature Valley Crunchy Oats ‘N Honey Granola Bars
Nature Valley Protein Peanut Butter Dark Chocolate Chewy Bar
Nice! Oats & Honey Crunchy Granola Bar (Walgreens)
Old El Paso Crunchy Taco Shells
Ortega Yellow Corn Taco Shells
PowerBar Performance Energy Chocolate Peanut Butter
Quaker Life Original
Quaker Yellow Corn Meal
Similac Go & Grow Soy Infant Formula
Similac Soy Isomil
Snyder’s of Hanover Yellow Corn Tortilla Chips
Tostitos Multigrain Tortilla Chips
Utz All Natural Multigrain Tortillas (some lots tested were non-GMO)
Xochitl Totopos de Maíz (labeling claim “No GMO”)
See the complete report here and the final results here.
Just because it seems healthy doesn’t make it non-GMO.
Several products that many people think of as healthy (even without a “Natural” label) tested positive for GMOs, like Quaker Life Original cereal, PowerBar Performance Energy Chocolate Peanut Butter bars, MorningStar Farms Grillers California Turk’y burgers, and Boca Original Vegan Veggie Burgers. Most disturbingly, all soy-based infant formulas they tested (that are not labeled organic) are made with GMO soy, which included Enfamil Prosobee, Gerber Good Start, Similac Go and Grow, and Similac Soy Isomil. If you are looking for the safest baby formula, be sure to check out this full investigation.
Unverified Non-GMO claims: Don’t fall for it.
One of the most shocking things that Consumer Reports uncovered is that Xochitl Totopos de Maiz original corn chips (the non-organic variety) contain on average more than 75% GMO corn, although they claim right on the front of the bag that they contain no GMOs. Consumer Reports tested 6 packages of non-organic Xochitl chips from different lots and found GMOs in every single one. These chips aren’t verified by the Non-GMO project, but they contain the misleading statements “All Natural” and “No GMO” on the package. This just goes to show that because there are no regulations in place to ensure that non-verified claims can be trusted, the only way to be certain that you’re avoiding GMOs is to look for the verified seal or 100% certified organic food. Most of the products that Consumer Reports tested without a Non-GMO Project Verified or Certified Organic label contained GMO ingredients – with few exceptions. Consumer Reports concluded that the “USDA Organic” and “Non-GMO Project” seal is reliable. This is why I do not purchase products that contain high-risk GMO ingredients without a 100% certified organic or Non-GMO Project Verified label.
Tips to use this information and avoid GMOs at the grocery store:
- Never buy products purely based on “Natural” or “100% All Natural” label claims.
- Look for 100% Certified USDA Organic labels on food.
- Don’t blindly trust a non-GMO ingredient label claim that is not verified with a Non-GMO project seal or verification of 3rd party testing or certified organic.
- Read ingredient labels and watch out for this list of common GMO ingredients, particularly anything derived from corn, soy, canola, cottonseed, sugar beets, papaya, zucchini and squash.
- Do not buy any products that Consumer Reports verified contains GMOs (see the complete list from their report above).
Consumer Reports supports mandatory GMO labeling
“Despite this consumer demand, there are no requirements for labeling genetically engineered ingredients in processed foods and there is extremely limited safety testing required. Without labeling, there is a lack of transparency in the marketplace and Consumers’ Union, the policy and advocacy arm of Consumer Reports, is actively engaged in a campaign to have foods with GE ingredients (also known as Genetically Modified Organisms or GMOs) labeled. In the meantime, consumers are unable to make informed purchasing decisions”.
Consumer Reports dispel many of the myths (and lies) circulating about GMOs, such as:
- GMOs are necessary to feed the world (FALSE)
“it is interesting to note that the world already produces more than enough food to feed all its inhabitants. Hunger, whether in the US and or other parts of the world, is not caused by an insufficient quantity of food being grown. Rather it is caused by disparities in wealth, waste, wars, and market inefficiencies… Looking at the long term outlook, GE foods may actually threaten food availability and increase food costs”.
- GMOs are required to undergo pre-market safety testing by the FDA (FALSE)
“FDA, which regulates food safety, does not require any safety assessment of the GE crops, but invites companies to provide data for a voluntary safety review. This is in contrast to other major economies such as European Union, Australia, Japan, and China, which all require that a premarket mandatory safety assessment of GE crops is conducted”
- GMOs are safe for the environment (FALSE)
“GE crops can have a significant negative impact on the environment. Although the industry often claims that GE crops reduce pesticide use, in fact the opposite is true… The vast increase in herbicide use, especially glyphosate (trade name RoundUp), has caused weeds to become resistant to them, and this chemical is losing its effectiveness… In addition, studies suggest that glyphosate-tolerant crops and the use of glyphosate are likely more responsible for the large decline in monarch butterfly populations than are declines in the overwintering habitat in Mexico, since this herbicide use is wiping out most of the milkweed, which the Monarch butterfly depends on for food.”
- GMOs have been proven safe to eat (FALSE)
“There is global scientific agreement that genetic engineering has the potential to introduce allergens and toxins in food crops, to change the nutritional value, and to create other unintended changes that may affect human health.”
The tide is beginning to turn in this country – I can feel it!
The more knowledgeable we become about the use of GMOs in our food, the more quickly we will get transparency. When we voice our opinion to these companies, they have proven time and again that they are willing to change – and they have. Consumer Reports noted that, “between testing and publishing of this report, that there were manufacturers who were obtaining or obtained Non-GMO Project Verified certification. This demonstrates an actively changing market that seems to be responding to consumer demand.” There are few things you can do to help keep this moving in the right direction:
- If you live in Oregon or Colorado, cast your vote in favor of GMO labeling this November. More information can be found on the Oregon Right to Know and the Colorado Right to Know websites.
- If you know someone who lives in Oregon or Colorado, call them, facebook them, tweet them or go visit them and ask them to cast their vote in favor of GMO labeling.
- If you live elsewhere, contact your state legislators and tell them you support mandatory labeling of GMO food.
- Join the Food Babe Army here – it’s completely free and you’ll be the first to know about any new investigations.
- Spread the word by sharing this post with everyone you know.
Thank you for your commitment to a more transparent food system.
We have the right to know what we are eating!
Vani
This really angers me. I just bought some of the Oxchitl chips last night, and paid extra for them, bc they said NON GMO. Can’t they get sued or fined…or something for false advertising? Thanks for doing what you are doing! I appreciate it.
I am almost 100% positive the lawyers on them!
I always buy the organic version of these chips! Now I am wondering if they are really what they say they are!
I just would like to thank you so much for all the hard work you do to keep us eating safe and healthy foods. Bless you,
Sincerely,
Dawn L.
Wow, that is shocking! Although I really don’t know why I should be surprised. Seriously, what is left that is safe for people to eat?.
I read your site after I bought LiveGfree pretzel sticks. Main ingredient: corn starch. Now I have a bad feeling it contains GMOs. It is made in the USA. Any info about this product? It is from Aldis.
I believe wholeheartedly in this cause and would like to help, but I had many problems trying to reply to this site or sign up.
Yeah, I bought the Oxchitl.. chips last week and ate some ( they tasted horrible) but threw them out when I realized it had GMO’s in them
Ditto Marcia!! So upsetting! I won’t be buying that brand, organic or not, ever again!! I would love to put a sign by them at the grocery store this weekend that says they lie and are in fact GMO. 😉
This really makes me angry about Xochitl chips. I was purchasing them with the understanding they were not genetically modified. How can they flat out lie like that???
It’s appalling!!!
Non GMO indicates that non-GMO seeds were used to grow the corn, etc. The problem is cross pollination from fields even quite far away which is carried by wind and pollinating insects. What is truly, truly appalling is that farmers who use GMO seed are suing farmers who don’t use GMO seeds because of the cross pollination of crops prevents their GMO seed from being resistant to herbicides and pesticides.
Would be great if you could clarify though that USDA Organic & Non-GMO verified does not guarantee no GMOs. It means mostly no GMOs. That’s a big difference. http://gmo-awareness.com/2011/05/05/is-organic-always-gmo-free/
we need to have an app like to identify GMO products. But this app is not perfect. This is a great idea, but evrything needs money, this is a free app, we need a good app that we can rely on. I urge everyone to contact the app owner and lets see if the #foodbabearmy can help this app to become the one place to go to indentify GMO products, i request foodbabe to support this app.
edibly
https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/edibly-ingredient-food-scanner/id676372430?mt=8
There is an APP where you can support organizations of non-GMO, organic, etc and scan items…. it’s called BUYCOTT
Your brain is the best APP out there. Research!
You forgot a few things on your product list. Ever read the labels on low-medium end cat food. It’s dominated by GMO products. Even tuna in oil – GMO soybean oil.
Thanks for doing all of this research for us, Vani! It’s so sad to think that there are GMOs in infant formula. Poor babies! Poor us!!!
Not only that. Few years ago, I checked on the formula I used to buy for my children from CVS. It also have High Fructose Corn Syrup. This was 5 years after I learn about this ingredient. I was appalled.
Always thought baby formula was just not the greatest set of ingredients..Now, the truth is out. GMO’s on that too. Is nothing sacred??? Thank you Vani. Just shared on my social media to spread the word 🙂
An infant formula made with almonds and containing no dairy or soy is being tested in Israel.
That will be good if the child is not allergic to almonds. Both of my boys are allergic to almonds. Do not know why. I both feed them with breast milk, but I had to get them some baby formula as I did not produce as much breast milk they wanted. Too bad I found out years later the formula also contained HFCS.
Vani, just more proof that you really do know what you are doing. Consumer reports says so!!! Keep giving the great info you give us that allows us to make better choices!
So really… it’s hard to know what to buy! If it says non GMO – we really don’t know if it is or not. UGH!
Thank you for all you do! We get rid of all this junk they put in our food, then I believe we have cured CANCER.
Yes Elle! I too believe we have so much cancer in our society because of the food we are eating! The body is an amazing machine and can heal itself, if given the right ingredients (hence natural, raw, whole foods..not processed). Why is it we have so much cancer today….and almost all foods are GMO? HMMMM…could this be the link? Ever watch the film, Hungry for Change?
I am not surprised by any of these companies except maybe Kashi, I always knew the rest was crap. The thing I cant understand is how you go to the grocery and see people buying the cheapest stuff they can- not thinking or caring about what they are putting into their body. I work at a hospital and see cancer patients, chronic disease patients, getting younger and younger. Then I go to the cafeteria to eat my homemade lunch and see what everyone is eating. Its crazy. Cheapest ingredients, cheapest oils and salad dressings no wonder we are all ill. The only way to know for sure what your getting is to make it, grow it or raise it yourself!
Remember before we get too judgmental that there are many families out there that can’t afford organic / non-GMO. I read this article this week and it opened my eyes and broke my heart: http://www.babble.com/best-recipes/what-i-learned-after-taking-a-homeless-mother-grocery-shopping/
So true NMadda. It’s a shame that healthy food is more expensive than burgers at the fast food place. Heartbreaking 🙁
I agree NMadda, there are many families that cannot afford to buy food period!
(To: NMadda) I totally agree with you on this and am sympathetic to that. Many who want to make better choices do the best they can because of finances. We personally get to make pretty good choices because of our income. I thank you for pointing that out and agree. Our complete food system needs to change so everyone can get quality food.
(To: Alan Santana) You are right you can get some quality things cheap from time to time. Like specials on fruits/veggies. My point was that my hospital is more than likely not buying top ingredients to make a profit on in the cafeteria, and probably not due to ill will towards anyone but just because they don’t know! For example take the salad dressings on the salad bar those are commercial made dressings using soybean oils. Its just a lack of knowledge in our country and food system.
(To: Christie) And I do agree with you on that. Hospitals are supposedly there to heal us, right? So feed quality food to the patient’s and visitors … AND staff. Not only a lack of knowledge, it’s also the budget they’re given to purchase with. I get it that they’re a business and have to make a profit, but there should be a way to balance budget and quality food. I don’t have the answers but I think it deserves some thought.
Kashi, like many start-up companies that start out as independent’s, is wholely owned by General Mills. Don’t expect honesty, integrity, or safety in products from General Mills ….or any other national or multi-national food conglomerate that is traded on Wall Street.
Even if it’s cheap it doesn’t mean that it has to be poisoned. Also false marketing is illegal, gmo’s or not.
Dear Vani! You did it again! Thank you so much for doing all this amazing research and making it available to all of us who care what we give our children and what we all put into our bodies! God Bless you and give you a long life filled with the BEST!
Kind regards to you and your entire staff!
Enrietta
This is so frustrating- I was not a person who wanted to breast feed for personal reasons, and now it’s almost impossible not to. Additionally- I can’t foresee being able to get around what I put into my body unless I leave the country. This is overwhelming that you cannot conveniently go to a grocery store and have to deal with this.
Amy – we are here to help. If you need additional assistance please check out this guide – https://foodbabe.com/eat
What about poultry and beef? How can we know if they are fed GMO products? If it is organic can we assume it is non GMO?
Most cows, chickens and pigs are not feed Non-GMO. They are fed heavily pesticide sprayed and all GMO diet of corn, soy, wheat (currently not a genetically modified product). It’s cheaper that way 🙁
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/01/27/weekinreview/27bittman.html?_r=0 Written by Mark Bittman – “Global demand for meat has multiplied in recent years, encouraged by growing affluence and nourished by the proliferation of huge, confined animal feeding operations. These assembly-line meat factories consume enormous amounts of energy, pollute water supplies, generate significant greenhouse gases and require ever-increasing amounts of corn, soy and other grains, a dependency that has led to the destruction of vast swaths of the world’s tropical rain forests.”
Vani, we thank you so much for doing these posts! It is information like this that helps us live a healthier life and make it easier to shop!!! THANK YOU so much for all of your hard work and research. And thank you for the awesome information you provide with your membership. Best of health to you!!!
dear food babe….thanks for all the hard work you do for all of us…..please continue…..i rely on the info you provide to eat safe…bless you and what you are doing….vicky
Thank you for gathering this information. You provide a great service to consumers. Kudos! Can’t wait to try Thai Spiced Pumpkin Soup this weekend.
Vani, I’m curious about being hospitalized for your allergies; are they food allergies ie: anaphylaxis? As a healthy person who eats very well, I recently developed a shellfish allergy. Food allergies are on the rise and its really scary. No doubt it has a lot to do with the BS that is in our food supply.
Actually that can come up out of the blue. It happened (anaphylaxtic shock from shellfish) to my husband just out of nowhere and that was back in the late 70’s or early 80’s so not sure that would have anything to do with you consuming gmo’s now.
Don’t forget the incredible Weston A. Price resource…its an App for your phone called “Find Real Food”. They have done the homework for you! They rate products by best, good and worst. You can also buy the booklet form from the website if you want the guide in hand. Huge help! http://www.westonaprice.org
Are they testing more food items? these was just a small sample. I’d like to see more high-end food being tested as well.
I just assume that everything in a box/bag/can has some form of contamination or another. Even if it is not GMO it is a disgusting level of salt and/or sugar at the very least. I try to do as much as I can from scratch, and we never eat pre-made meals or anything out of a can. It makes me feel like I am doing the best I can for my family. I hope I am not fooling myself.
This list is great- thank you for the information and for all of your research!
Foodbabe this is so full of misinformation that is does a disservice to American families wanting information on food safety. You have sourced every wacko website with fuzzy research to find the spin you need to make a point. I you truly want to educate consumers on the safety of modified crops, please do your homework. I mean from scientific journals, universities based in the breadbasket of America. BUT, that won’t be any fun providing facts vs. your misguided hysteria!
Since when is Consumer Reports a “wacko” website? They have been around for decades, buying and testing products then reporting back on their findings. Or is it simply wacko because you don’t agree with it. Universities are certainly not foolproof, especially since much of their endowment and research money comes from corporate sources. I somehow doubt they would do anything to bite the hand that feeds them.
Wacko? Just because you seem to support GMO products, doesn’t make the opposing viewpoint wacko. People have THE RIGHT to know what’s in their food. I would NEVER eat GMO food. EVER. But hey, go right ahead and tuck into their Frankenfood. It’s a free Country.
From the mind of a wacko: Consumer Reports is a “wacko website with fuzzy research.” Got it.
Dear Mike,
With all due respect, do you farm and/or live near Kansas City, MO? Curious why over 500 school children have a rare and serious respiratory illness that the Center for Disease Control (CDC) calls enterovirius D68. “The United States is currently experiencing a nationwide outbreak of enterovirus D68 (EV-D68) associated with severe respiratory illness . . .and this year the number of people reported with confirmed EV-D68 infection is much greater than that reported in previous years.”
Wonder if they attend school or live near (ahem) GMO crops? You know, that whole pollination thing: blowing-in-the-wind that all of us non PhD scientist learn in 8th grade?
Don’t know if you can call “gene” splicing in a cleanroom with a molecular biologist as “natural.” And if you do, that’s the whole point of Vani’s post – consumers are mislead with a “natural” label and after I had cancer at age 38 – I’m proudly GMO free.
Best health always,
SuperMom-in-training
Food Babe,
Why can’t we join together and print thousands of copies of this information to post at the grocery stores we shop at. Informing people of what the corporations think we don’t care about! If they won’t label, then we should inform people!
Foodbabe this is so full of misinformation that is does a disservice to American families wanting information on food safety. First your assumed fact that GMO are unhealthy. Did you know the next generation of modified soybeans will bring soy oil equal to olive oil, without the crappy olive oil taste or cost? This is sourced from algae, the same place fish get it. DNA is the building block of everything, as it’s simply computer code to make proteins. When you blend a smoothie with 15 different ingredients, so gotta believe there is a mix of DNA. You have sourced every wacko website with fuzzy research to find the spin you need to make a point of scaring consumers. If you truly want to educate consumers on the safety of modified crops, please do your homework. I mean from scientific journals, universities based in the breadbasket of America. BUT, that won’t be any fun providing facts vs. your misguided hysteria!
I assume that GMOs are unhealthy because I don’t assume we know better than nature. As for your smoothie analogy, I think it is a bit misleading as well. You are mixing different ingredients for a one-time drink, not to produce a replicating organism with possible unforeseen repercussions from the mixing of genes.
With regard to “every wacko website,” last time I checked, Consumer Reports was a respected organization that buys every product it tests. Or are the websites “wacko” because they don’t agree with your point of view? As far as citing research from “universities based in the breadbasket of America,” show me one that does not receive large amounts of research funding from Corporate America and I’ll consider what they have to say. Otherwise, they have an inherent bias against biting the hand that feeds them.
Final point, while GMOs may ultimately turn out to be safe, I would rather wait to be sure and not find out after the fact they weren’t. Personally, given the great disparity of wealth in this country, coupled with the continuing mergers and buyouts of large food producers (e.g., Tyson’s purchase of Hillshire Farms) and retailers (e.g., Albertsons buying Safeway), GMOs are just as apt to be an attempt to create corporate control of the food supply as they are to be the solution to the world’s hunger problem.
I totally disagree with your apparent “hysteria” over the content of this article. There is NO benefit to GM crops. They claimed it would increase yield. There is little to NO increase, with more insecticides and poisons introduced to our environment. I say it has been a failed experiment on the human population.
Mike, you can believe what you will, and just because YOU don’t agree with opposing FACTS, doesn’t mean it is not true. I am thrilled that your GMO corn is doing so well. But I will NEVER eat the stuff. Just the rampant use of pesticides would do it for me. Is this article less biased for you? http://www.reuters.com/article/2014/02/24/usda-gmo-report-idUSL1N0LT16M20140224
Is the Round-up Ready sprayed on the gmo corn crops okay for us too? Or am I just being hysterical not wanting that toxin in my body? Silly me.
Food Babe!
Thank you! I had my suspicion with MornnigStar Farms Chik’ Nuggets but couldn’t prove it. I noticed that Kroger had lowered the prices on that brand for cheap like $2.00 or something, and I bought two boxes of those nuggets. I ended up getting sick. I didn’t like the taste of those nuggets as if those nuggets had changed,which I beleived they did because i have been eating those nuggets for years. The 2nd box I let it sit in the freezer for a long time before deciding to throw it out. I hadn’t bought any of those MSF nuggets since. I moved on to Gardein and Beyond Meat products instead. You are a blessing, Vani! HUGS.
I have been buying Dave’s Killer Bread for about a year and asked on their website what type of flour they were using. They said hard red spring wheat. On doing further research I found that this type of wheat typically gets sprayed with Prosara (a fungicide) Not sure how confident I should be now about the bread or maybe all organic bread is sprayed with something that is acceptable. I was trusting in the USDA Organic branding to be safe. What do you think?
I had read about CR report that I think will be published in the November issue. I found it to be encouraging that a news source like CR is addressing this on this scale. The percentages of people wanting to know what is in their food is stunningly high. This is a good sign that will not only open the eyes of Americans but is also exposing what is happening. I am thrilled about this. I agree with Vani, the tide seems to be turning. Btw, the Organic Consumer Assn sent out a notice reporting that the EPA is still undecided on approving Dow’s Deadly Duo herbicide (glyphosate and Agent Orange) on food crops. They need to hear from as many as possible. You can petition here: https://petitions.whitehouse.gov/petition/demand-president-step-oppose-epa%E2%80%99s-approval-new-24-d-resistant-genetically-engineered-crops/sy38Vm0s . If approved, this would be disastrous on every level and affect the health of every living person, plant and animal as well as our waterways. Thank you, Vani, for your hard work!
Thanks Food Babe you are the BOMB!
It’s really sad good babe has done a wonderful tack in informing us of the travesty of the food corporations and the evil in them…but I see it’s an uphill battle and a steep one at that seems the more she tries the more GMO is spread to EVERYTHING…..the greed is spread thicker than the caring……so people will continue to eat all the junk even though they try to eat healthy the poison is out there a hundred fold…so our next generation will be fat sickly and dead…how very very sad….
I’d like to know more about the 100% organic products that are imported directly from China. For example, I bought a container of sunflower seeds from a Chinese supermarket to use in my shakes that had the US organic label on them. But, my gut instinct tells me that it’s falsely labeled. What do you think?
To me, the NON-GMO label means nothing. I only buy USDA/Organic products , I also buy Eden brands which are Organic but do not have the USDA/Organic label. Eden read the organic laws and rules and then through it in the trash. The wrote their own rules. I can’t trust companies who sell Organic but then sell GMO products, and I can’t trust companies who sell out to the big food companies. Annie’s is the latest to do so. I stop buying Annie’s products. If we don’t get GMO’s out of our lives, then we just maybe have to eat it.
Do you know if Dr. Bronner’s Magic Soaps All-One Hemp Pure-Castile Soap Baby-Unscented bar is completely non-gmo? I was wondering because it does not have the organic seal on it. Please let me know.
Thanks,
Sue
I doubt it highly. But in any case, don’t drink your soap.
I’d personally believe statements from Bronner’s before I’d believe anything issuing from the FDA (Fatal Defects Allowed).
I am trying to tell everyone I know about GMO via social media. But, so many people even my own family tell me I am a “crazy”. They tell me their is no proof that GMO’s can harm us. They tell me that people like you are just trying to make money. I myself have given eating processed food. I will be turning 63 and feel the best ever. Thank you for your hard work. I don’t know what else we can do. Have a wonderful weekend.
Thanks so much Vani!
Happily I have boycotted all of these producers and eating locally grown food with no added anything other than love and dedication and OMG does the flavor stand out in comparison to store bought!
I just bought some Terra root veg chips, but I questioned whether or not they were really non-GMO because the label was black and said non-GMO and not the usual non-GMO seal. Now I know that I should have put them back on the shelf.
Can you tell me if these are really non-GMO. Their produced by Hain. Thanks loads for your info, Vani!!
Thank you for this great information Vani!! 🙂
Ummm. I was under the impression that ALL, EVERY SINGLE BIT OF CORN AND SOY, in our country was NOW – ALL GMO. I HAVEN’T TOUCHED OR EATEN CORN OR SOY, INTENTIONALLY, IN PAST 3 YRS. AS FAR AS I UNDERSTAND, FROM SEVERAL SOURCES, ALL SOY AND ALL CORN ARE NOW- ALL GMO! PERIOD. End of story. : ( If someone has other information, to the contrary, please enlighten me…
I might add, that is a very SAD THING, that I say and report. Makes me extremely mad, angry and annoyed. 🙁
Is there anything safe to eat. 🙁
Vani,
Thank you so much for alerting us about this GMO labeling problem.
I contacted my congressman immediately and expressed my concerns and asked him to check into this matter and support honest food labeling for products containing GMO foods. I appreciate all you do to help keep us healthy!
Tanya M.
FoodBabe, thank you for your undaunted effort to expose our Industrialize Food System and the likes of Monsanto, DuPont, Dow Chemical and the host of Food Manufactures whose only concern is $$$$$. You can ignore their “shills” such as Mike and his unsupported and false accusals of your effort to inform people who care about their health and the health of their lover ones. Keep up your quest, we need you. Take care and live well.
Hi Vani,
I love your blog, thank you so much. My question is about soy sauce? Is soy sauce safe or is it all genetically modified? I don’t buy the soy-meat-free stuff or anything with cornstarch. But I use soy sauce. If I make Chinese style food at home what kind of sauces can I use that don’t contain soy or is there organic soy sauce?
PS I think Mike is paid by food organizations to discredit those that question these big food conglomerations.
I wish you would do a study about L-Cysteine in many bakery products. I dont think the general public is aware of exactly what it is. I read that it is not tolerated in Europe so I wonder why it is tolerated in North America.
L-Cysteine is an amino acid. It’s biosynthesized by the human body.
This is what Wiki says about L-Cysteine…The majority of L-cysteine is obtained industrially by hydrolysis of poultry feathers or human hair. I dont give a dam if it is biosynthesized in my body or not. It is not food and has no business in any of our foods.
I’m not so sure you understand what amino acids are. They are the building blocks of proteins. Last time I looked… You eat protein and you body is more than capable of metabolizing them. Especially ones that you’re own body synthesizes.
Yes a study of bakery products will be great.
Corn Tortillas/Tortilla Flour
General Mills Cocoa Puffs
General Mills Corn Chex
Kashi GoLean (in the process of of getting Non-GMO project verified)
Maseca Instant Corn Masa Flour
When I get home, I will empty the pantry of the following:
Mission White Corn Tortillas
Mission Yellow Corn Tortillas
Nature Valley Crunchy Oats ‘N Honey Granola Bars
Old El Paso Crunchy Taco Shells
Ortega Yellow Corn Taco Shells
Snyder’s of Hanover Yellow Corn Tortilla Chips
Tostitos Multigrain Tortilla Chips
Utz All Natural Multigrain Tortillas (some lots tested were non-GMO)
I won’t support these brands any more..
Suzie
These is just a small sample of “foods” that contain GMO’s I am sure there are tons of other foods, low and high end that also contain GMO’s. I guess who ever did the research did not like tortilla chips. I love tortilla chips, but only buy the ones with the Organic certified seal.
omg i cant keep up with this im 85 and interested in healthy stuff but it sure is overwhelming the info that is there ..wish there was some way to keep up with it all
Stormi, I’ve wondered the same exact thing. I’m a 63 year old woman who has spent most of my adult life eating quit a bit of processed and fast foods. I laughed at people “back in the day” who ate “health” food. I jokingly said my preservatives would keep me preserved. Well, the laughs on me because I’m now very ill with diabetes and its disabling death related side effects. I’m now trying my hardest to eat correctly, but it’s very difficult due to cost. I have however, maintained controlled sugar levels by eating a corrected diet. By corrected I mean non GMO and USDA Certified Organic Only Whoops please keep scrolling down.
including vitamins and supplements. Oh, and don’t forget about your herbs and spices as they are heavily sprayed with bad stuff to allow admittance into the country. Try to at least avoid the “dirty dozen” which in my opinion the “un dirty” produce still contain unfavourable ingredients, but they’re suppose to be better. Thanks to Food Babe for the vast information and time spent on trying to help keep the people informed. Please disregard the few negative remarks you receive because sooner or later the they will face truth. I sincerely hope it’s before something terrible happens to them or their loved ones.
None of these products are real food anyway and shouldn’t be consumed by humans even if they are not GMO
To paraphrase the words of the great late Dr. Barry Groves:
Humans are the only creatures clever enough to fabricate their own food… And be stupid enough to eat it!
EAT REAL FOOD
If all of this has GMO’s someone please tell me what can we eat. Thanks and have a good day.
Vani I lost a dear friend to cancer from diagnosis to passing it was 8 months. She was given a list of foods to avoid and I’ve tried to eliminate the bad and incorporate better choices for my family. My children are the hardest to change but we are making progress each day.. they now read food labels. It takes us alot longer to shop at the market but I know they are getting educated and its finally sinking in. I saw your post on the glucose test and was appalled ! I took that test several times and it made me so ill. Please help us make better choices and I applaud your efforts …yes real change is on the horizon because we are demanding it so. Thank you for leading the way !
Hi Vani,
This is great information to know.
I will certainly avoid theses products.
Thank you.
StreetBob