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What Is Trader Joe’s Hiding?

The answer to that question is easy – A LOT.

A family member does this little game with me and it happens over and over. After trying a bite of something that looks homemade, I say, “Mmm where did you get this from?” and she says, “Don’t worry, it’s from Trader Joe’s, so it’s organic.” The fact that people assume all products from Trader Joe’s are organic or healthy or better than what you would find elsewhere is an alarming misconception.

For the last several months, I’ve been getting a lot of questions about Trader Joe’s. Many people are questioning the grocery store chain’s policies on genetically engineered ingredients (GMOs) and asking if I personally trust their statements about the use of GMOs in their store brand products – my short answer is no, I don’t.

Now, don’t get me wrong, I LOVE shopping at Trader Joe’s. It’s fun, the employees are super nice and helpful and it’s a pleasant experience. However, they won’t share any information with us and are completely cloaked in secrecy regarding their business practices, which makes my head want to explode.

Trader Joe’s Official GMO Statement:

Our approach to Genetically Modified Organisms is simple: we do not allow GMO ingredients in our private label products (anything with Trader Joe’s, Trader Jose’s, Trader Ming’s, etc. on the label).

 

Given what Trader Joe’s tells us about their GMO policy, we should trust them, right? Or are we trusting them just like many consumers trusted Naked Juice, Tostitos, Kashi, Gold Fish, Barbara’s Bakery, etc. who are or have been faced with lawsuits finding suspected GMOs in their so-called “natural” products?

During my research, I found out there is no regular independent third party certifier verifying their products are non-GMO on a regular basis at Trader Joe’s. It is completely up to Trader Joe’s product supply team to regulate GMOs from suppliers – not the Non-GMO Project or the USDA (for organics) that requires a high level of standards and third party testing before stating a product can be deemed free of GMOs. If there are complaints about a product, Trader Joe’s will conduct verification with a secret third party that they won’t disclose, but it’s completely up to the consumer to alert Trader Joe’s with a complaint.

In fact, Trader Joe’s stated that their products “don’t allow for auditing using the Non-GMO Project because there is an additional cost associated with that.” A representative from Trader Joe’s went on to say, “We tend to not label our products a whole lot, and won’t until there is a government regulation to understand what non-GMO even means, we aren’t going to label products that don’t have specific FDA guidelines.” So this begs the question – what does non-GMO mean to Trader Joe’s? Are they making up their own definition because they claim they don’t have direction from a governmental official?

I reached out to the Executive Director of the Non-GMO Project, Megan Westgate, to find why Trader Joe’s refuses to become Non-GMO certified. This is what she said:

“The Non-GMO Project has reached out to Trader Joe’s a number of times over the years, and we remain hopeful that at some point we will be able to forge a meaningful partnership with them. To date, it has been very difficult to ascertain the credibility of their non-GMO claims. We know that many consumers believe Trader Joe’s to be a GMO-free store, but without transparent standards or third-party verification this is impossible to confirm. Many other retailers–independent grocers, co-ops, and Whole Foods Market–are leading the way by requiring rigorous testing and labeling, and it would be great to see Trader Joe’s follow suit.”

TraderJoesProductsGMOs

Trader Joe’s says they review affidavits (the documents that prove an ingredient is not made or contaminated with GMOs) from their suppliers who make their store branded products, but there is no way to verify this. I asked Trader Joe’s if they would send me an affidavit showing proof of non-GMO corn or soy in at least one of their products that wasn’t labeled certified organic and they refused saying, “Unfortunately we don’t share those documents, they are confidential.” They wouldn’t even tell me what country some of the products were produced in either as they do not provide “country of origin” labeling.

I find the denial of my request maddening, considering I requested a similar affidavit from Honest Tea, who is owned by Coca Cola, and they completely complied and sent me the information with the confidential suppliers name blacked out. Heineken Beer also provided their affidavits when I asked them to prove to me they use no genetically modified ingredients in their beer.

Furthermore, when I reached out to the Director of the Cornucopia Institute (the top organic industry watchdog group), Mark Kastel, he stated:

“It is very hard to figure out sourcing with Trader Joe’s.  They heavily depend on private label products which are based on secrecy.  We have said that private-label organics is an “oxymoron.”  Organic consumers want to know “the story behind their food.”  They want to know where it was produced, how it was produced, how the animals and workers involved have been treated, etc.  None of that is possible with Trader Joe’s. Unlike the majority of all responsible brand marketers in organics they have refused to participate in our research studies and are thus rated very poorly on our scorecards that critique dairy foods, eggs and soy foods (etc.)”

 

We have the right to know where our food comes from and what’s in it and Trader Joe’s is refusing to give us this information.

They don’t want us to know which suppliers they are using because it would upset consumers and their suppliers if we knew the truth. For example, Stoneyfield supplies yogurt for Trader Joe’s and Stacey’s (owned by Pepsi) supplies their pita chips. Because Trader Joe’s maintains a limited supply of products, they can buy many of the same items in bulk from different suppliers keeping costs low, which is fabulous, but this comes at a cost of not actually knowing who is manufacturing our food. They keep it secret because the companies they work with, like Stacey’s, don’t want you to know that you can buy their pita chips two dollars less at Trader Joe’s under a private label. This is how Trader Joe’s has become so successful, growing at a faster pace than Whole Foods.

Trader Joes Same Company

There is another disappointing side effect of not knowing where your food comes from because if you are like me and boycott certain companies because of their business practices, it is extremely hard to vote with your dollars and know which products to buy and support. For this reason, if you want to REALLY vote with your dollars, you seriously need to consider what you are buying at Trader Joe’s. 

I have a hard time trusting a company that is not willing to show their affadavits to a customer or prove that their products are in fact GMO free. Trader’s Joe’s won’t spend any of their 8 billion dollars in sales to test and prove their products safe. And they won’t tell us what companies they work with to develop their products or what countries their ingredients come from. Have you noticed that every single Trader Joe’s branded product has “DIST & SOLD EXCLUSIVELY BY: TRADER JOE’S MONROVIA, CA 91016” written on the back? I hope we are smart enough to know the entire line of Trader Joe’s products aren’t all really from California.

label

Since Trader Joe’s does provide a price point that is unrivaled, I can see the financial benefit to shopping there, but not much else. Their fruits and vegetables are usually flown in from half way across the world, packaged in lots of plastic, providing little to no local produce (at least in my store here in Charlotte, NC). This means you could be eating nutritionally degraded produce. I have been a victim to this more than once when I bought produce that I didn’t know was less than stellar and it went bad super fast in my fridge compared to the local produce I get from my farmer or buy from other grocery stores.

Considering Trader Joe’s total lack of transparency, there’s only a limited list of products I would personally trust from Trader Joe’s, here’s what I would buy and not buy:

WHAT TO BUY AT TRADER JOE’S

  • Certified organic fruits, vegetables, nuts and seeds
  • Certified organic branded Trader Joe’s products (USDA certified), for example their organic popcorn made with olive oil is a good choice
  • Certified organic milk products
  • Certified organic coffee and teas (like Yogi tea)
  • Certified organic frozen goods like frozen berries
  • Some conventional items on occasion (like kimchi) that do not have high-risk GMO crop ingredients like corn, soy, cottonseed, papaya, sugar, canola, zucchini/squash (here’s a full list of potential GMO ingredients)
  • Paper products – they use environmentally friendly practices and recycled paper

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WHAT NOT TO BUY AT TRADER JOE’S

  • Charles Shaw Wine, otherwise known as “2 buck chuck” – It’s so poor in quality, some experts call this stuff “grape-flavored soda” and compare it to what “Ronald McDonald is to the cheeseburger.” This wine is not made in a winery rather, “this wine is made in a factory, with a lot of synthetic and concentrated products, like grape musk, added to manipulate the flavors from bad grapes.” (Stick to organic wine with no detected or added sulfites)
  • Non-Trader Joe’s brands that likely contain GMO ingredients like Simply Lite, Reddi Egg, Dare, Orangina, The Laughing Cow, Morningstar, Toffutti, Think Thin Bars, Toblerone, Kashi, Barbara’s Bakery, Annie Chun’s and Power Crunch
  • Trader Joe’s branded products or other processed products that contain high-risk GMO crop ingredients like corn, soy, cottonseed, papaya, sugar, canola, zucchini/squash (A majority of their products contain one or more of these ingredients, until they can be fully transparent, I would not trust them.)
  • Pre-packaged meals like sandwiches, salads, and sushi – many of these items contain ingredients you definitely don’t want to be eating,  like cellulose (wood pulp), or imitation crab meat. Additionally, there’s way too much sodium added to these meals and they can give you a serious case of water-weight bloat and bubble gut.
  • Trader Joe’s branded dairy, yogurt, or eggs, because they are likely produced from animals fed GMO corn and soy and can contain antibiotics
  • Non Trader Joe’s branded dairy, yogurt, or eggs because they could contain (cancer causing) rBST growth hormone, GMOs and antibiotics
  • Non-organic meat or dairy, Trader Joe’s still allows antibiotics and other harmful chemicals – like autolyzed yeast extract (a hidden form of MSG) in their meat.

The most important thing to remember when shopping at Trader Joe’s or anywhere else for that matter, is to read the ingredient lists. Trader Joe’s still allows harmful petroleum- based artificial coloring, artificial flavors, carrageenan, and other questionable ingredients to creep into their stores via other brands and this is something to definitely watch out for.

licorice

If you know someone who shops at Trader Joe’s, please share this post with them. Making smart decisions together is the only way we are going to change the secretive practices of the food industry.

Keep Your Chin Up!

Food Babe

P.S. Don’t forget to sign up for my newsletter to get more info about what’s really in our food, personal updates from me and chances to win cool organic stuff.

 

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1,124 responses to “What Is Trader Joe’s Hiding?

  1. It seems a bit odd that so many people are lashing out at Trader Joe’s about not disclosing sourcing information when there is a high probability that the need to agree to some form of non-disclosure contract with their suppliers. As cited in the article their sources include Stonyfield and Stacey’s, both of which are high profile companies, as such we can assume many of their suppliers are big names and if those names start leaking I imagine Trader Joe’s will lose a great deal of their suppliers. Also, instead of moaning about retailers we need to focus more on the need to have products that are GMO labeled as such, preferably with easily identified marking. This is the way most other 1st world countries go about GMO products if they have not banned them altogether.

    1. I would agree except for the fact that TJ’s makes a point of saying they do not carry GMO products. It goes beyond just protecting a product source when you make claims that are not true.

      1. TJ’s made a point of stating that their PRIVATE LABEL foods contain no GMOs. (Strangely enough, every time I go there it seems every item has their name on it — is that what makes it a private label?)

        I used to work at Whole Foods and couldn’t believe the misinformation floating around: some customers thought that all products in the store (including bottled water and sea salt) are organic. One location’s In-Store Educator (whose job, obviously, is to educate store employees) actually said to me that if the store knew that something on their shelf was confirmed GMO, it would be removed immediately. Sad, huh? It is great to label GMO products, but if GMO products were removed from stores’ inventory, we’d be seeing a lot of empty shelves — even at health foods stores.

      2. “if the store knew that something on their shelf was confirmed GMO, it would be removed immediately. Sad, huh?”

        Why is that sad? Sound like exactly what we’d want.

      3. It’s sad because this is actually not the case at all, and that Whole Foods employee was under the impression that it was.

      4. Yes, they do have moral and legal obligations to uphold concerning non-GMO in their PRIVATE LABEL products and considering the monumental ramifications that would occur were it to be proven untrue they have substantial reason to uphold their word on this one. Also unless you have empirical evidence that something is a lie please refrain from making such claims.

      5. The article never said TJ’s was lying. It details the fact that they obfuscate and refuse transparency when asked to provide information regarding the sources of their food products. We have the right 2 know what we’re buying and eating. And yes, I believe their behavior of omission is as dishonest as outright lying.

  2. Period the whole problem at hand is gmos… We have it to where it has to be printed on all the labels legally and there’s no more questions asked. Why bash one company because there are plenty of other places to bash as well… And seriously be knowledgable of what your eating know how to read labels and don’t blame others for your downfalls of not knowing.or let me make it easy make your own garden buy your food organic from… cook from scratch and eat it that works too… People are so quick to judge but there are simple ways just to avoid it and carry on people… Hope the gmo things will pass someday and then we won’t have to think twice… BUT just watch something new will surface that’s not good for us and the cycle will start all over again!

    1. I have news for you: GMO’s are here to stay.

      This is mainly due to the stupid sheep in this country caring more about about a leather ball flying across a cheap Chinese made screen than getting out and protesting being poisoned by this garbage.

      We have turned into a society of complacent fools that are easy to manipulate and control.

      France and Brazil both bowed down to the Monsanto New World Order and soon the only food choices we will have is what they own and control. It is a sad truth and I don’t see anything changing anytime soon as we continue to mindlessly vote for one of the two crook puppets propped up by the criminal RNC and DNC every four years.

      1. The Monsanto paid trolls are out in force today/

        If you want to fill stores full of your crap GMO food that is fine, but I want the government to leave my choice to grow a garden and wholesome real food at home alone.

      2. Actually I’m a 28 year old enterprise integrator working in LA. Hell, if Monsanto wants to give me money to continue to prove you libs are overactive and irrational, please tell me where to sign up. I’ll enjoy my cash, you can enjoy your… vegetables and filth.

        Add some capitalism to your life and maybe take a shower for once.

      3. Hi Chris, I remember when I was 28…I knew pretty much everything too…until I got older and realized I didn’t. But don’t worry! Your perspective Will (not may) change as you get older and see with your own eyes the harm that is being done as our food supply is corrupted. By the time your eyes are opened and you are able to recant your statement, it will be your kids who are dealing with the silent beginnings of the effects of GMO ingestion but they will be buying into the capitalistic rant and telling you YOU’RE due for a shower. That’s with the hope and assumption that you will actually be able to find a woman who can successfully carry a child to term. Good luck with that. 3rd generation rats fed a diet of GMO foods show signs of sterility among many other health issues.

  3. I wouldn’t write off Trader Joe’s based on this report, which I find brings up some valid concerns but under emphasizes the positives of Trader Joe’s.
    Food Babe basically says to watch non-organic and non-TJ’s brand items. Wouldn’t someone who is concerned about what they are eating do that anyway?? Trader Joe’s carries healthy food as well as a lot of candy/junk. I hope no one buying red licorice or sweetened cereals thinks that is a healthy choice!

    Trader Joe’s makes it affordable for my family to eat very well. We purchase the majority of our grocery items there – supplementing with a CSA subscription, the farmer’s market, a local butcher and a local fishmonger. We are able feed our family with this combination for less than it would cost to shop at our local Jewel (Albertsons) and WAY less than it would cost to shop at Whole Foods. Our TJ’s store carries local produce (varies by season – more in the summer here in the midwest, of course) and we’ve had good luck with non-local organic produce purchased there. If we ever have a problem with produce (or anything else) they take it back with no questions asked.

    Additionally, the employees of the store live in my neighborhood and seem happy to be at work. They’ve gotten to know our family and greet us when we’re out and about – both at the store and in the neighborhood. When my daughter was born, they gave us a bouquet of flowers in congratulations during our first visit into the store as a family of 3. It’s a close to a local grocer as I can find in my big city these days.

    I have heard through the grapevine who some of their local suppliers are (friends working at the suppliers) and understand the concerns about confidentiality. From my understanding, in addition to big national brand suppliers (e.g. stonyfield), they use local suppliers – (e.g. local breweries or coffee bean roasters in your city). That seems like a win-win for the local economy and an appropriate reason for confidentiality.

    We do need to be concerned about GMO’s. But, for many of us, this is one of many issues. A balanced report acknowledging the positives of Trader Joe’s would be more helpful. I’d hate to think this report would force their hand towards raising prices to get 3rd party certification or only suppliers who can handle the “competition” of lower priced TJ offerings, effectively pricing some of us out of their organic food offerings.

    1. Thank you! I couldn’t have said any of this better myself! I definitely cannot afford grass-fed cheese at my local stores, but TJ’s makes it accessible – at almost half the cost. And I also agree about licorice and sweet cereals – I really wouldn’t consider those a barometer of the healthfulness of any store!

      1. Can you trust that it is truly grass-fed? Do you realize that the standards allow for feeding of Distillers Grains and soy hulls, etc. Unless they can verify to you through an independent third party or you know the farmer who produced it, it may not be 100% grassfed (and grassfinished) and may also contain GMOs.

      2. It certainly wouldn’t be grass finished since any meat sold in stores her has to be processed at an USDA certified slaughterhouse (or at least this used to be the case), and those would include at least some time spent at a feedlot, which means grain. I was told the only way to obtain truly grass fed, grass finished beef was to buy directly from the farmer, which I have done. But, you need a chunk of change and a large freezer, so it’s not an option for many. (

      3. That is not entirely true. We use a USDA Certified slaughterhouse to process our 100% grassfed, grassfinished beef. The slaughterhouse does not determine what the cattle are fed.

      4. That is fabulous news to me Kristi! 🙂 Do you mean you have beef you sell in stores?

    2. I totally agree with what you have said. You seem to shop the same way we do. It isn’t perfect – but we try to do the best we can with the money we have – we also get organic fruits/veggies delivered to our home, get most of our meat from our butcher who supplies grass fed meats, local healthy eggs… and our big shopping trip is Trader Joe’s.

    3. Amen! Exactly. Why does everyone expect to get steals?

      You get what you pay for. Trader Joe’s makes many higher priced products accessible… including many prepackaged prepared food products. I’m totally fine with that.

      GMO in US foods is a whole BEAST of its own to tackle as a social issue.

      Ps. There was a big expose in a number of papers a year or two ago about Whole Food’s “organic” products having no verification.

      Anyhow I think why many of us shop at Trader Joe’s is for the competitive price relative to quality. To ensure and move toward non-GMO, we may need to pay more… so that it becomes a more viable option for them to hire 3rd party verification of its supply chain. Not saying that WE should be the ones to pay.. but someone needs to pay for it, and it may be reflected ultimately in a price increase.

  4. While I still love and adore TJs, I became skeptical of their claims when I saw Orangina in their store. One of my kids asked for it, I purchased it (elsewhere, not TJs), thinking “Oh, it’s a French product, it should be fine.” Yes, egg on my face. HFCS…ew! Then I saw it at TJs…a store that claims to sell nothing containing HFCS (or at least squawks in that direction, I seem to remember reading/hearing something about it…). Haven’t called them out on it, too busy doing other things…but very annoying…

    1. Actually, most or all of the Orangina sold in Europe contains raw sugar while the Orangina sold here contains HFCS because it is cheaper and unregulated here. I noticed the difference when I visited family in Poland and tasted the Orangina there. So much better with raw sugar!!

  5. I just have one thing to say “The difference between Trader Joe’s and many other companies is its ongoing INTEGRITY” one of the company core values and there ethics of running a company. Now I know it is hard to trust someone by there statements and word alone but there are still people/companies that live and stand by integrity. In this day of age any establishment is going to be attacked and have some less superior product no one is perfect. Trader Joe’s truly runs with ethics and integrity in mind at all times………

    Thanks

    JK

    1. If TJ truly ran with integrity and ethics at all times then they would not be secretive about where their products are coming from, who their distributors are, etc. And you would actually know if their food does or does not contain GMOs. Very naive of you.

  6. Trader Joes does have a lot of secrecy. Sadly. We do a lot of shopping there. I live within 5 miles of 2 Trader Joe’s. However, I started on of my children on a Feingold diet, and this group acquires full disclosure from food manfuactures…(to find out things like what oils do they coat bakeware with, or some companies will spray the inside of a package with food preservatives, etc) So hardly anything is approved from Trader Joe’s because they won’t, or cant disclose information. I really enjoy their prices, as she mentioned the yogart is Stoneyfield, but at TJs a quart of plain organic yogart is 2.99. It has been that price for years now. That is worth the trip to TJs right there.

  7. This is an awfully researched piece. I can’t believe you went so far to find natural ingredients in a candy. Since, obviously, you can just run down to the candy tree and grab strawberry liquorice right off the branches.

    Soy Lethicin is a direct by-product of all soy beans. It was discovered in 1850 and has been used in hundreds of products because of its ability to harden and congeal various compounds. Heck, it’s been used in margarine for almost 90 years. Soy Lethicin, by itself is not a GMO product, it depends on what soybeans are used. If the soybeans are GMO, then the SL will be GMO and vice versa.

    The fact that you equate not having information with some kind of conspiracy is equally disturbing. I guess it didn’t occur to you that TJ may not want to disclose their buyers and suppliers because they don’t want to expose them to the same liability that pepsi had to go through with Naked Juice.

    I guess I shouldn’t mention that, because you obviously didn’t do your research on that case either. Naked Juice got sued because a group in california did a drive-by lawsuit. They independently tested over 10,000 Gallons of Naked Juice product and found .001% GMO soy lethicin in the product. Any number of things can happen in nature to create such a result. There can be cross pollination of soy plants or there can be left-over materials in the production facilities from earlier soy plants. I can tell you for a fact that Pepsi did everything in their power to mitigate the existence of these plants in their product. But, of course, that’s just not good enough and they have to pay millions of dollars….makes sense.

    Now, in a world where Monsanto soybeans exist and cross pollination law suits happen everyday, I think it might be reasonable to find .001% GMO in a product. However, apparently, thats not good enough for people like you who think that this is legitimate criticism.

    In this article, you have assumed so much. You assume the animals are fed GMOs, but you have no direct proof. You assume Soy Lethicin, because it exists in the food, is automatically derived from GMO soy beans, but again… you have no proof. You use the term “likely” because you have to cover yourself for your lack of proof and give credence to so many assumptions.

    I know that this is going to get bashed and everyone is going to be upset about how “rude” and “inconsiderate” this sounds. But ask yourself one question: “If I am trusting this woman with my food choices and her research is not up to par in this instance, how can I expect any of her research to be up to par?”.

    I don’t work for TJ, but I do shop there a lot. I am an attorney and have been dealing with suits and articles like this my entire career. With the spread of Facebook, Pinterest, and the other social sites, poorly researched hit pieces like this are the fuel for massive suits against many GOOD AND WHOLESOME companies. After these companies have to pay millions of dollars for things they do their best to control, people like Food Babe get to pat themselves on the back for changing absolutely nothing except the bank account of a hard working company. Maybe a good lawsuit from Trader Joe’s would make some people take more care in their research.

    1. I agree. The implied conclusions here are appalling. Joe O’s are Cheerios. What is your proof? Oh, you don’t need proof. We should just trust you. Usually, I like your well-thought out conclusions based on actual data. This article is not up to your usual standards.

    2. So, now that you put the numbers out there and it seems more reasonable that the crops were contaminated by GMO cross polination, I think the wrong company was sued! I really hope that Pepsi has the balls to turn the suit around and go after Monsanto for corrupting their product. They opened Pandora’s box and in time, their GMO genes WILL prevail in any/every part of plant life. That should be illegal in and of itself. Why should we have to settle for mostly pure, mostly organic, or the best you can get compared to what it could be?

      The best is that Monsantan has sued farmers for their genes being found in their crops…due to wind and birds, not the farmer’s intention! AND THEY’VE WON! They’ve put farmers out of business for not signing on with their seed product!

      1. That is very true. Monsanto devotes huge amounts of capital every year to the finding and “purifying” of the monsanto genetic code in “non-approved” fields. What disturbs me the most about lawsuits based on genetic codes, are that they are attempting to protect a patent on genetic material. I don’t understand how something as complex and varied as a genetic code can 1) be patented, and 2) be the basis of a valid lawsuit…. but Monsanto does it every day.

        You stated the, and I personally feel the greatest, danger of GMOs. These are the longterm affects of these species on indigenous plants. Some, maybe even most, have considerable advantages over natural species. I can only speak on soybeans because those are the only varieties I’ve been exposed to. However, just in the soybean population, there is a great risk that cross pollination and genetic superiority could potentially wipe out other species.

        With this in mind, how can we continue to use GMO plants when we do not know the long term effects on natural plants? Secondly, how can we know the affects of these GMOs over the longterm on humans? We’ve seen what the addition of Bovine Growth Hormone has done to the breast development in prepubescent females, how do we know a similar result will not happen in humans who consume large amounts of GMO products?

        It seems like a slippery slope, but since I’m just a lawyer, I’ll leave the science up to the science guys. I’d love to see the research though!

    3. Unfortunately, I have to agree… I began following FoodBabe because it seemed like a trustworthy source. While I still am unbelievably grateful for so many posts and so much research done, I am beginning to question whether or not the site is as trustworthy as we are led to believe.

      I will continue to follow Food Babe, but definitely take everything with a grain of salt…

      1. Agreed with David and MamaFaith. I’ve followed the site for a few months now, read over older articles and I just don’t see any true research or facts to back up the blanket claims and statements made on the site. I don’t disagree with the premise of the site, just the total lack of facts and proof to backup the strong opinions expressed.

    4. David Burns:
      Just because you’re an attorney does not make you trustworthy. On the contrary, your interest is in siding with your clients, the food corporations.
      This does not give you any special expertise in food preparation and food authenticity. You have to rely on the statements your corporate client is willing to let you have.
      Your stock-in-trade is not expertise in food preparation and composition, but in the exquisitely trained skill in turning a negative into a positive, and a positive into a negative. In no way are you an expert on food, and in no way are you interested in the side of the consumer.

      When you say:
      “I know that this is going to get bashed and everyone is going to be upset about how “rude” and “inconsiderate” this sounds.”
      This is pure rhetorics. Nobody is going to be upset by your comments. Nobody is going to consider them “rude” or “inconsiderate”, this is an argument for the gallery. Everybody will find your slanted assertions “suspect” and “highly questionable”.

      When you say:
      But ask yourself one question: “If I am trusting this woman with my food choices and her research is not up to par in this instance, how can I expect any of her research to be up to par?”.
      This is pure casuistry from the defense manual. Because you claim to have found an imperfection in one conclusion, you insinuate that all the rest of her accusations is suspect. But this reasoning is pure poppycocks, it plays on emotions, not on reason.
      In fact that you yourself are using those two superficial tricks from the rhetorical manual gives us a justification to find your contribution eminently suspect . You are not discussing the facts, but playing on the emotions of the jury.

      And then you come out and extol your clients, the “many GOOD AND WHOLESOME companies. ” We have no proof that those companies are “good” or “wholesome”, in fact we have serious doubts.
      You are presenting no evidence whatsoever that large food companies act for the “good” of the consumer, instead of the “good” of their stockholders.
      As for their “wholesomeness” this is empty language. Nobody has ever found a measure of “wholesomeness” for food companies. They are all shooting to decrease costs and maximize profits, increase P/E ratio and stock price on the exchange. With all means being OK, legal or not yet considered illegal.
      When it comes to large food retail companies, consumers are always the suckers, who have to fight for their interest.

      Only fools would trust large companies to be benevolent organizations with only the consumers’ “good” in mind. They have power, cash, expertise, and immense means of advertising and moulding public opinion, and friends in Congress to pass desirable laws.
      Reacting to their built-in drive for sales and profits has been a never-ending fight for consumers, with no end in sight. The Trader Joe’s case is only one aspect of that fight for consumers’ interest. The secrecy about origins and composition of food materials is of course in the interest of the company, but it is not in the interest of consumers.
      Your casuistry will not change this inherent opposition of interests and the never-ending tension that is the result.
      Your effort to denigrate and pooh-pooh Food Babe’s research is simply one part of your arsenal to protect the companies’ interest.

      1. Bookaroo,

        I appreciate your input. However, there were only two points that were made during that wonderful piece. The first being that your proof reading abilities are lacking; and the second being that your logic is deeply flawed by your personal attacks and lack of research.

        My initial comment was directed at Foodbabe because of the simple fact that Foodbabe’s research was flawed. For you there is no arguing with that as demonstrated by the fact that you decided to attack me and not disprove anything I said with fact.

        Nowhere in my initial comments did I state that I was an “expert in food preparation and food authenticity.” In fact, it was just the opposite. I had to use intimate knowledge gathered from months of research on the sole topic of Soy Lethicin in order to comment. You, however, offered no research to disprove anything I said, instead, you again resorted to personal attacks… the principal weapon of the uninformed and fearful.

        Now, as to your assumption that companies like Trader Joe’s are just “out to help stockholders” and whatnot. Clearly, again, you have not informed yourself at all. Trader Joe’s is a privately held corporation. In layman’s terms: they are not traded on the stock market. Thus, your assertion that they are just looking to increase profits is patently false. Not because you intended to lie, but rather because you are uninformed. Trader Joe’s has no interest in stockholders because there are none. In fact, this puts them in a rather dangers position financially due to the fact that if something goes wrong, they and their suppliers, many of whom are also small businesses, will bear the brunt of any lawsuit caused by articles such as Foodbabe’s.

        I will give you one point for a good try at a logical argument. You did say that “Only fools would trust large companies to be benevolent organizations with only the consumers’ “good” in mind.”

        This is true to a certain extent. There are many companies out there that fight tooth and nail to protect profit margin, increase dividends, and the like. However, Trader Joe’s is not one of them. Just because you find a few doesn’t mean that all are evil. To make the assumption that they are all evil is a basic and elementary logical fallacy.

        Further, you spoke to the idea of emotion being one of the tools used in my initial comment. Describe to me how your lack of hard, verifiable evidence and personal attacks are not completely emotionally based.

        Also, you may want to review your use of the word Casuistry. Although the attempt was noble, the use was poor. “Sophistry” would have been a better descriptor, but, I guess the synonym function on whatever you typed this on was as effective as the grammar-check.

      2. To David Burns:

        I never mentioned the concept of “evil”. The tension between companies and their customers is not one of “evil” against “good”.
        Both sides are interlocked as in a chess game. They both play on the same board, and they both are tied to the same life support.
        Capitalism is not evil. Large companies are not “evil”. They’re just not the “friends” of the consumers. Cannot be.

        OK, since Trader Joe’s is a private company, this gives it even more flexibility and advantages over a public company. Then secrecy can be total, to the point of camouflaging the location of its headquarters. But that is part of the corporate game. Never going public or going private is a valid strategy in certain circumstances.
        And, no doubt, you’re right, remaining private and secretive has its huge economic advantages for Trader Joe’s. Which can play all kinds of games concerning supplies and competitors.

        But, on another hand, consumers, as personified by Food Babe here, have a legitimate ground to worry about the secrecy, as it allows practices that are totally unidentifiable to the consumers. Where do foods come from? What’s in them? How old or fresh are they? All those are legitimate questions in an environment that has become obsessed with the problem of purity of industrial foods and the enormous risks posed by industrial food fabrication and distribution.
        To what extent food materials from China are present in Trader Joe’s products? What is the proportion of imports from overseas, or Latin America, areas where pollution abounds, and which can export foods with hidden risks of contamination and potential epidemics.

        It is not fair to disparage consumer’s worries, as you tend to do. Certainly Food Babe has her limitations when it comes to research, but so do we all.
        In her concerns, I see a positive aspect, and I don’t see how her article is going to act as a trigger for a destructive lawsuit against Trader Joe’s. You are brandishing a straw man to frighten us. Serious doubts about industrial food fabrication and large food retail chains are a very healthy reaction of consumers, and even if Food Babe does not get it right in all aspects, this in no way diminishes the value of her efforts.

        As for casuistry versus sophistry, it is a matter of choice. You like sophistry, I like casuistry, it’s not even worth to call the whole thing off. It is too much fun.

    5. Quote: ….”In this article, you have assumed so much. You assume the animals are fed GMOs, but you have no direct proof. You assume Soy Lethicin, because it exists in the food, is automatically derived from GMO soy beans, but again… you have no proof.”

      David, it is simply a fact that 90-95% (actually 94% in 2012) of the soybeans grown today are GMO. It is also a fact that animals are fed soybeans (and corn [GMO, I’m assuming based on FACTS] ), and any large producer or farmer is using soybeans that are GMO. In all extreme likelihood. Unless they are certified organic soybeans, they are GMO — unless there is some MINUTE chance this large producer got their hands on some of those non-GMO conventional soybeans to provide all of their soy needs. The FoodBabe may not have direct proof, but there are simply facts that we rely must on. Heck, I can’t even find non-GMO fed pastured-raised chickens at the Farmer’s Market unless you find a really super conscientious farmer willing to spend more and locate non-GMO supplemental feed. You MUST assume GMO at this point, unless you have proof otherwise or it’s certified organic (and sure, there will likely be a very small of contamination at this point and perhaps they will develop standards for that in certifying non-GMO products).

      And quote:….”But ask yourself one question: “If I am trusting this woman with my food choices and her research is not up to par in this instance, how can I expect any of her research to be up to par?”. ”

      That’s how I feel about Monsanto and many other food and biotech companies. They provide laughable research and claim their products are “safe” and wonderful and beneficial (you know, GMO corn and soy will feed the world – what a joke).

    6. Thank you for bringing some sobriety into this issue. I wholeheartedly agree with your points. If anybody wants to accuse another of wrong doing, they should bring irrefutable proof, not words such as “likely”.
      Seems to me the US of A is a sue-happy world… money is all that matters, and suing is a legal way of trying to blackmail someone to pay out lots of money, be it a grocery chain, a hotel chain, McDonald’s, or simply a wealthy individual.
      I really hope that we shall never see this “legal sport” crop up in Europe!

      1. Quote…” If anybody wants to accuse another of wrong doing, they should bring irrefutable proof, not words such as “likely”.

        Just like Trader Joe’s shouldn’t use the “expectation”.

        From TJ’s website latest update on GMOs (Oct.1 2013) :

        “Given our position on GMO ingredients in Trader Joe’s label products, and the work done in support of that position, it is our EXPECTATION that our products test as non-GMO. We’re unable to make the same claims for branded products (products not in the Trader Joe’s label).”

        Boy, the word expectation certainly protects them and helps them out.

    7. Thank you for bringing this to everyone’s attention. The assumptions here are fallacious.

      The fallacy in question: “Argumentum ad ignorantiam (argument to ignorance). This is the fallacy of assuming something is true simply because it hasn’t been proven false. ”

      Example: Trader Joe’s refuses to show proof that their products are Non GMO, therefore, one can assume they are GMO.

  8. Wait, so you mean to tell me that tortilla chips have CORN in them?!?! I cannot believe it. And as far as red licorice having red food dye in it, well, that I just never would have guessed if you hadn’t pointed it out. Thank you SO much.

    In reality I am definitely going to keep shopping at Trader Joe’s, which is an awesome store. Unlike a lot of other health food stores they are actually affordable. It doesn’t matter if something has 20 certifications if you can’t afford it. TJ’s cares about their customers and their employees; it is a pleasure to shop there. If you want to not eat certain things, don’t buy them- it is always your responsibility as a consumer to read the label. I agree GMO’s need to be banned, but don’t make TJ’s a scapegoat.

  9. This secrecy really does NOT surprise me about Trader Joe’s – in fact, here’s another angle for you. I am a marketing professional and a few years ago, I worked in Monrovia near the Trader Joe’s HQ. As an avid TJ’s shopper and lover of the brand and amazing packaging, I dreamed of ways I could work at their HQ. Let me tell you…it is VERY secretive. If you even want a shot at working in “corporate,” then you better know someone who knows someone, or already have put your time in as a crew member in a retail store. Another weird thing…most corporate HQs like to promote their office location with signage…not Trader Joe’s. In fact, you basically just need to know where it is from living/working in the Monrovia area. I am not sure how it is now, but back in 2009 when I would dig through their website looking for open marketing positions, it was NOT easy to find them. I mean, they were super buried within the site. However, the retail store positions were very easy to locate. So, from my past experience with TJ’s corporate, it does not surprise me that they are super secretive and not willing to give you any information. Very unfortunate, but they must have their reasons.

  10. Wow! Thank you so much for digging into this topic, which has been of concern to me for some time. I just started a food business myself, check out my website link here, and it is predicated on transparency. I would love to talk with you more. Please email at [email protected]. Thanks and keep up the amazing work, Sophie

  11. I was rather surprised to read this article, and realize that Food Babe has a large audience. I have never been to this site before, but as a scientist, this is not research at all. You can not come to a conclusion from lack of information – this is the opposite of logic and the scientific method. Lack of information proves nothing, and in fact to come to conclusions based on lack of evidence when it involves people or companies is slanderous. I have not read other posts on this blog nor will I waste my time, but if an e-mail that doesn’t get the information that you desire is the basis for a post that seems foolhardy and even legally dangerous, if as it sounds, you are trying to prove something when you have no proof. I love TJ’s and actually went there this morning, and I am happy that I did still. They have healthier, affordable food. I don’t understand why you would want to trash a company that has healthy foods that are affordable. Of course everyone knows that cookies and crackers are not healthy. I don’t think those are good examples to use, and I am so thankful to be able to afford organic fruits and veggies from TJ’s that I otherwise would not be able to afford. Perhaps your other posts are better and you just posted this one without thinking it through . . . . I don’t know since I just clicked on the link from someone who had posted it from FB, but if this is the version of research that is typical, then that is concerning since so many people apparently read this blog.

    1. Quote:…”They have healthier, affordable food. I don’t understand why you would want to trash a company that has healthy foods that are affordable.”

      I like TJ’s too and will continue to shop there for some things. But when Trader Joe’s states on their website that all of their Trader Joe’s Brand labeled food products are non-GMO, that is a large claim that needs to be backed up. If it’s not stated and/or certified non-GMO on the label of all of those hundreds (or thousands) of TJs brand products, we need to question that. (If they are producing their own food and their own labels why not place non-GMO on the label?)

      There are issues with TJ’s secrecy and lack of transparency and this isn’t the first article about it – there was an article in Newsweek about this a few years ago. The Food Babe is simply here to provide information. And Food Babe stated she “LOVES shopping at Trader Joe’s”, but added: “However, they won’t share any information with us and are completely cloaked in secrecy regarding their business practices, which makes my head want to explode.”

      This blog is about looking more closely at food and what we are putting in our bodies. It’s good to be aware of these issues, and you can still shop at Trader Joe’s. But I am more careful about what I choose to buy there. And btw, I’ve also had produce spoil rather quickly (mushrooms and celery for example), but it doesn’t mean I’ll never shop there or will never pick up some mushrooms from TJ’s. It’s about being aware, not just ‘trashing’ Trader Joe’s.

      1. Well Jen, let me help you out about fresh food spoiling rather fast. The reason for this lies in a simple fact: the food is probably harvested in its most natural form, and it probably has incurred no manipulations, such as radiation treatment. As a result, it just behaves like normal fresh produce should: it decays fast once it is severed from its growing stalk.
        I guess most folks never knew that or even think about it, because if you buy food from other grocers, you can leave it in the fridge forever, and it won’t spoil…. even lettuce!
        Who in their scientific minds would think that is the normal behavior?
        While lowered temperatures will slow down the decaying process, they won’t stop it all together.
        I have bought fruit from other big local supermarkets, and – oh how miraculous – it will stay put on the kitchen counter, non refrigerated, for days on end, without showing any signs of decay. Now, that is what I would call a suspicious situation, and folks should be upset about it!

      2. Reply to Moneva (couldn’t directly reply below).

        Well , Moneva, thanks for trying to help. Actually, I am aware of what happens in the food system. I don’t buy much, if any, conventional food from large chain stores like Kroger, etc., so I’m not comparing it to something like that. I have noticed some of the produce at Trader Joe’s does spoil sooner, and it is not necessarily organic (the mushrooms for example). Yes, I have noticed their organic strawberries and organic celery tend to spoil sooner than other organics from other stores. Not always, but it does happen. I’ve even brought the issue up with a store manager after I had to bring back some chicken that was spoiled and horrible smelling when I opened the package. This manager acknowledged that their can be problems with some of their food not being as fresh as it could be, and not always being pulled at appropriate times and that they were working on this.

        Please, don’t speak so smugly, it’s irritating.

        Quote: “I guess most folks never knew that or even think about it”

        I hope I helped you out about some folks.

    2. Thanks Rene, I just replied to another comment that pointed out the same thing. In debate, they call it: “Argumentum ad ignorantiam (argument to ignorance). This is the fallacy of assuming something is true simply because it hasn’t been proven false. ”

      Totally see this playing out here.

  12. I think people need to get out of the militant anti-whatever business and focus more on bettering themselves. for example this Trader Joe “call to battle”. Go ahead and cause them to lose business and possibly be forced to close stores ect. Then you will be forced to buy from other places with less quality and higher prices and even less oversight of ingredients. I think the majority of the people who scream these “call for battle” have more disposable income than common sense. I would love to see Trader Joes go out of business just to be able to laugh at the same idiots who then would begin to gripe about the lack of decent places to shop for quality food. Personally I grow the majority of my veggies in my 80 by 40 green house which I slave over. No doubt there are those would would find fault with my food and growing practices even though it is all organic even by the most strictest of standards. Moral of the story… People who gripe about this sort of thing cant grasp the idea that Trader Joes still has better food offerings than most anyone. You cant please some people and apparently only perfect perfection is good enough. (even then I am sure people would find something to complain about.) Que the haters. Que the censors. Free speech may not be allowed by the moderator who oversees this article. Please allow and respect my right as an American to have my views and opinion. And I should have the right to post them just as others post agreeable content I should be allowed to post a dissenting view.

    1. Quote: …”People who gripe about this sort of thing cant grasp the idea that Trader Joes still has better food offerings than most anyone.”

      Maybe they have do better offerings than most, but that doesn’t mean we can’t question anything they do. It doesn’t mean they can’t improve. It doesn’t mean that when they state that all TJ’s brand products are non-GMO that we should just accept that without more information and/of certification. And they aren’t going out of business with a little article questioning a few things (Newsweek did a similar article about TJ’s and their secrecy a few years and TJ’s is doing fine and still the #1 grocer in the US). This IS part of being balanced. If we don’t question, we aren’t balanced.

      And quote: …”Please allow and respect my right as an American to have my views and opinion. And I should have the right to post them just as others post agreeable content I should be allowed to post a dissenting view.”

      Of course you have the right to your opinion and Food Babe is allowing you to post and seems to allow most comments (but sorry, blogs aren’t always democratic), and as an American aren’t you glad we have to right to question. Perhaps start a blog so you can counter articles such as this and so you can state your views and opinions.

  13. I buy. “organic produce ” every day from Trader Joe ‘s. Iget the packaged fair trade organic green tea as well under their house brand. I have trusted those items.

    They admit their red meat contains antibiotics to prevent loss, but promise to change. I hope they do.

  14. “Their fruits and vegetables are usually flown in from half way across the world”… Analyzing just this statement will make me shop at TJ even more sine USA is #1 in Gmo…half of the world is still way behind doing the old fashion way aka organic :))) love TJ and no I do not work for them….

  15. I Am regular customer for TJ. When i asked them first time is your product is non GMO,they said what ever the item hols TJ lable means it is GMO FREE and ARTIFICIAL COLOUR free,other than TJ might have gmo or added color.but to make sure i always read the lable.

  16. GMO NONSENSE!
    OVER THE THOUSANDS OF YEARS OF “FARMING” EVERYTHING(?) HAS BEEN GENETICALLY MODIFIED IN ONE WAY OR ANOTHER.
    THIS IS JUST ANOTHER WAY THAT THE SELF-DESTRUCTIVE LUNATICS ARE TRYING TO DESTROY OUR FOOD SUPPLY.

    1. Has bacteria DNA been used to create GMO’s for thousands of years? No, it hasn’t and it is now. Maybe you should get up to speed with what’s going on with GMO’s before you wheel out all those caps.

      1. I am just curious do you know why GMO’s are bad? What are the “real” issues associated with short term and long term health?

  17. I really appreciate this blog for the information it provides. I’ve been shopping at Trader Joe’s since I was a child-my mom went there every so often; so began my love affair with Trader Joe’s.

    That said, this article will not change my buying habits at Trader Joe’s. Some of the things that foodbabe or commentors have been surprised by, don’t really seem like a big surprise for me. At no point was I under the impression that the traditional (non-organic) meat that is sold there is not from a factory farm. In my mind, buying meat from ANYWHERE that is not organic = factory farmed meat, plain and simple. I was never under the impression trader joe’s had a specific stance on GMO’s or a company wide policy. I’ve never seen much of anything in their store or on their website indicating this. So again, that does not surprise me if they do exist in some form in some of their products. Also, their lack of wanting to share information does not surprise me. They are at no obligation to provide specific information pertaining to their vendors, their products, practices etc. Obviously, it looks shady for any company when they refuse to give you the information you want . Obviously, they need to have a certain amount of privacy about their company to keep prices low, etc. But I do understand why this is troubling and I feel the same way to a degree.

    In spite of the things this post and others bash trader joe’s about, it’s still a much better alternative to a traditional grocery store like kroger, safeway, vons, giant, walmart, etc. I use to live less than 5 minutes from trader joe’s and did 90% of my shopping there, I would still continue to do that if I lived where I did before. I don’t expect trader joe’s to be perfect nor any grocery store. I would much rather give my dollars to trader joe’s than to walmart or fry’s (kroger.) I also shop at whole foods and love the store to death. It’s not feasible to only shop there for me or many others. It’s a lot easier to point the finger and tell everyone to only eat local, only shop at whole foods etc. when you come from a place of privilege. If you earn more income and can afford to shop only at the farmer’s market or whole foods then awesome, I envy you. But don’t shame those who cannot because they have less money, or have a family, or any other reason. Everyone does the best they can with what they have (I don’t really mean this about food babe but in general.) So thank you for the information, again I love the blog and the info you share. My feedback to you is, please try and be a little more humble in your posts. An everyday person who has little to no knowledge about the problems with our food system can easily be turned off by the tone of these posts. It’s very easy to become a zealot once you’re passionate about something. Finding a fine line between your passion for transparency and coming on too strong is probably difficult but something I think everyone should be aware of. When I first found this blog I honestly didn’t enjoy it very much because of that tone that came off. Thank you again for the information though!

    1. I haven’t noticed a certain ‘tone’ to this blog (be more specific). But even if there is some sort of ‘tone’, with all the issues with our food system today, maybe we need that! Glad the Food Babe is standing up and looking at issues that can sometimes be overlooked elsewhere.

      Another point, I find my farmer’s markets to be cheaper, in addition to being healthier and fresher. For example I found organic squash for a dollar or dollar and half where at other grocery stores they are sold by the pound (usually not organic) and a bit pricey. Also fresh basil and herbs so much cheaper. And peppers. Corn on the cob. And other items can be cheaper and rarely are they more (well, maybe more than ALDI, but not always). Just wanted to mention that shopping at farmer’s markets doesn’t mean you have to be privledged or have to have a higher income as you stated. Check out your farmer’s markets, and find the vendors with better prices as it can vary (and one of the all organic vendors I’m aware of has equal or lower prices than other vendors who aren’t necessarily all organic). Just my experience, but I can’t believe other farmer’s markets have prices so much different.

      I like Trader Joe’s also, but I’ve been aware of their policy about GMOs stated on their website for a while now and am not comfortable with it. Glad Food Babe is discussing it and also making effort to learn more. I’ll still shop at TJ’s for some things, but it’s good to be aware of these issues.

  18. Honestly, I don’t find any of this “shocking” or “surprising”. Without 3rd party certification I would never assume or take a company’s word that a product is actually organic, GMO free or fair trade. We all know the history of how corporations love to greenwash. I never assumed this about TJ products – if I wanted it I’d seek out things that said certified on the label. A true scandal would be if it said certified and it was not. I don’t find their statement (the full thing, not just the small excerpt provided here) misleading. It sounds like they have an intention to avoid GMO products when possible, but I don’t read their statement in its full context as a guarantee. I would actually be surprised to find out that such low-cost products were GMO free unless they were advertised as such on each label. If folks are serious about wanting to avoid GMO products, shop at your local co-op. Chances are, they have a MUCH higher standard when choosing which products they carry, along with having MUCH higher prices (certification and/or researching every item you carry regarding the origin of its ingredients if its manufacturer doesn’t provide 3rd party documentation DOES cost money).

    1. I was in TJ’s and they told me that all their products are non-GMO. Now that is a true concern. Thanks to this article that I now know better.

  19. Everyone needs to watch, Farmageddon, Food, Inc., Forks over Knives, & Montsanto seeds of Death! These kinds of documentaries will open your eyes, to what we are living in and suffering from and how we are being controlled and forced to eat bad products. And i mean “forced” because when we aren’t allowed to know what is in our food and when small farmers are being swat teamed for producing real organic and grass fed products, it is by force that we have to consume what they give us. If you start to grow your own crops, that is the only way to give yourself good health, but even then the government, has made it a point that “You do not have a right to healthy foods. Even if you get them yourselves. http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2010/05/29/fda-says-you-have-no-right-to-real-food-unless-they-give-you-permission-first.aspx

  20. Also a good understanding of why we are trapped in this situation, is actually 2 steps removed. These are all products of political policies and ideologies resulting from right winged corporate driven profitteering. Please watch, Ralph Nader an Unreasonable Man, documentary so you can better understand the severity of and dire straits of our current situation and the forecast of our future. If we don’t change that first, we won’t be able to fix anything else.

  21. My roommate (a former employee of Trader Joes) informed me that TJs JUST cut back health benefits for part time workers. Corporate practices eventually all follow the same suit, I guess.

  22. Ok ok now wait a second. Of course there’s sugar in the graham crackers and isn’t there always corn in tortilla chips? and in corn tortillas in general? That’s a little confusing.

  23. Also, try shipping this stuff to Europe. Hint: It won’t fly. Not saying they are perfect but my family owns an import/export business fairly new and they are SO strict and will not allow the crud that is in our processed food and sauces. and hey, good for them! Our clients have to change their ingredients sometimes just to make it into European countries. It’s so utterly shameful.

    You should do an article on chicken coming from China. ewww.

  24. Hey! Just wanted to thank you once again for everything you do! Even though there are a lot of skeptical and stubborn people, me being one of them sometimes, you are doing them a huge favor too! They might oppose everything now, but you’re opening their eyes to other possibilities.. even if they don’t realize it yet!

    You’re amazing!

  25. Trader Joes is an acceptable and frankly awesome place to buy food. With everyting, if it says its Organic and they are actually selling me Organic stuff, great. If i buy something that does not say Organic on it, i look at the label and realize the 5 or 6 items that are high percentage GMO and I assume them to be. Thats where we need to be, personal responsiblity…thats it.

  26. TJS has a sign up, if it has our name on it its GMO free. Asked an employee if a product was GMO free and she had no idea what i was talking about.Had to double check their garlic,one from USA,other from Mexico.Purchased frozen cherry berry blend (made in USA and Chilie) Since the cyclosporin breakout I wish to buy only American prossesed items.Standards from other countries are not up to parr and wont be for quite some time.

  27. Could someone please educate me on GMOs? What are the “real” issues with GMOs associated with our health in the short term and long term?

      1. “no one is going to educate you in a comment section.” The question about the real harm of GMO ingredients has been asked several times. But yet the whole premise of this article is to beware of GMOs. Seems reasonable in a comment section on an article whose very thesis is “Do not buy products with X” to ask a question, “Why?”

  28. “We have the right to know where our food comes from and what’s in it and Trader Joe’s is refusing to give us this information.” The only “right” you have is to shop somewhere else if you don’t like the information a company does or does not share with you. You’re doing it wrong

  29. I was on a long search for non-gmo deli meats. Pretty much the only ones I could find were Distel Ranch and Applegates “organic” versions. I asked 1 person from trader joes corporate if there deli meats with their name on it was non GMO and they said it “everything with the Trader Joe name is non-Gmo” I had a hard time believing this. I kept asking at the store and through more emails and I never hear that again. They said they source all non-gmo “ingredients” What I heard was that the animals are fed gmo feed and they do not consider that an “ingredient”

  30. TJ’s label products sometimes have corn syrup in them. There is no such thing as non GMO corn syrup.
    Their 199 calorie chocolate bars are sweetened with sugar beets.
    TJ’s is lying, plain and simple

      1. That’s bizarre. I wonder if they also use lye to extract it.
        Why use it at all? They should just use cane sugar

  31. Why would ANYONE be under the impression that everything or even a large percentage or even a half or even 25 % of Trader Joe’s food is organic?

  32. As I was saying, (got cut off ) as I was trying to figure out which milk to buy a worker from there happened to ask if I needed anything and I asked her whats the difference with trader joes milk and organic brand if trader joes against a, b and c. She went on and on raving about the savings you’ll get with their store brand and that they don’t allow “the junk to be injected into the cows” and so forth. But then I said its for my 1yr+ old baby and then her whole persona changed and said “well maybe you should go with the organic because we can’t guarantee what’s fed to the cows” and quickly walked away! So she left me there questioning their standards of their private labels. So I ended up just purchasing certified organic which was basically was about the same as whole foods price. So I went back to whole foods. There’s no answers like “if, um, or well… It’s pretty much the same answer from everyone there. And they are very sure of their products. And you can see just by reading the labels! Time consuming but well worth it. Plus their very much into giving back to our local schools and feeding the hungry! Through local non-profit organizations and local food pantries. Even though its a little more expensive I think about the hungry that will be fed and I think if all the schools that they help AND all the free classes that they constantly provide to educate the public. We also get free menu planning ideas and free recipes! The free great information you get from asking anyone for help in anything. You end up getting a mini lesson as to why this product would be best for what your looking for. Now where else can you get all that…really? It feels good to be part of something bigger. But at the same time I still have a budget to work with and try to pre- plan our meals.

  33. The issue of TJ’s uncertainty of what GM means is being oversimplified here.

    You have to realize that it’s not just base ingredients that can be GMO-sourced. Most people assume that ascorbic acid (synthetic Vitamin C) is squeezed from lemons, but it’s formula starts with simple carbs, probably sourced from GM corn. There are endless adjunct ingredients that are made from GM corn, but does the jacked up DNA survive the processing? I don’t think it does in a lot of cases, such as ascorbic acid.

    So that’s likely the issue. Are those ingredients considered to be GM? To me, Trader Joe’s could easily tell people what their standards are for GMOs. You know they have food scientists somewhere in their group, and it would be a cakewalk for them to do. I wonder if the non-GMO project and Trader Joe’s definitions differ and they chose to be ambiguous instead of giving them something they know they’ll be condemned for.

  34. I don’t shop at TJ’s anymore. So much of their food has corn syrup and you’re so right, soy, corn, etc might be GMO. As you said, so many people think that this is a health food shop……and it’s not. Great article!

  35. Awesome job Vani!!!!!!! SO so awesome!! THanks for this!!!!!!!!!!!!! I never shop there for this precise reason. It didn’t make sense that it was all so cheap, I knew there was a massive catch.

    1. You’re way off, there is no catch. It’s smart business practices that make them cheap and that is one of their top GOALS as a company. Do any of the other “healthier” stores make low prices a priority? Do any of them even claim it? It’s one of the core values that the company is built on. They strive for a positive customer experience and low prices. How many other companies make these 2 things their focus?

  36. This article actually irritates me a lot. She says that we are smart enough to know that they aren’t really all from CA, well duh- they aren’t even making that claim. They’re just saying that they are sold and distributed by Trader Joe’s, Monrovia is the main office. And she explains why they don’t disclose who their suppliers are (Stacy’s etc.), has she considered that those suppliers have already gone to the trouble of third party verification? And TJ’s is known for having higher quality fruits & veggies, and they are NOT wrapped in a ton of plastic, most of them are loose on a large table. And whatever she is implying by saying that they won’t spend any of their 8 billion in sales on testing is a little offensive and ignorant. That 8 billion in sales goes largely to having the best paid employees in the grocery industry. Want to know why they’re so happy? Because even part-time employees have top-notch benefits and paid vacation, and can make over $20 an hour. And why point out that they still have foods with artificial ingredients like it’s some scandalous secret? They don’t say “no artificial anything ever”, it isn’t their job to babysit my diet. I am an intelligent adult that can read labels and make decisions for myself. If I want top-quality imported licorice at a great price, then I need to weigh the importance of the red dye. Trader Joe’s offers a great selection of healthy/healthier foods at bargain prices. They hold the customer experience at the highest level and deliver what most other stores can’t. If people want to start imposing a bunch of testing and labeling then they better not cry when the prices go up after proving what they already claimed to be true. Trader Joe’s has the best financial plans in place and they hold true to them. This is why they have managed to grow and have increased sales every single year while we have watched so many other grocery chains close stores and raise prices. If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.

  37. You do realize that most of the fruits and vegetables you eat were “genetically modified” by selective breeding that took years and years?

    1. Jesse, selective breeding or hybridization is NOT the same as genetic modification – nothing like it really. GMO Roundup Ready corn and soy and BT corn are not simply from plant breeding. Please do some reading and research.

  38. Do you have any suggestions on books to read to figure out how to eat healthy when you have a shellfish, treenut, soy and some fresh fruit allergies. I feel frustrated by trying to incorporate healthier eating habits when everything that is recommended has a lot of those ingredients present.

  39. Hi Food Babe! I read all of your article, and most of the comments.
    I just have one question for you:
    How many other grocery stores have you singled out here or on other blogs, with an article about their openness about their suppliers?
    Say: the Shop ‘n Saves, Kroegers? Schnucks? Dierbergs? Sam’s? You get the idea!
    I find it interesting that you write an entire article about TJ’s when they are probably the least guilty when it comes to low-quality food product offerings.
    Are you just trying to bash a popular brand, because you figured this would get you way more attention than focusing in on, say, Sam’s Club’s bulk grocery policies and practices?
    Just because a business is secretive about its sources does not prove anything…
    but because you question one in particular, you point the finger at them and you insinuate, not prove, that there may be impropriety.
    I disapprove of such publications!

    1. Well, Moneva, l might be able to help you out with that.

      A big issue here is TJ’s murky policy regarding GMOs in their Trader Joe’s brand labeled products, and this is different from other grocery stores. Other stores like Kroger or Sam’s do not make any claims about their store brand products like that (and remember TJ’s brand products make up the bulk of their inventory). Trader Joe’s has claimed for some time now that all TJ’s various store brand labeled products are non-GMO. But at this point with so little conventional non-GMO sources of many ingredients, it’s hard to know if that is actually the case. They are not going to certify this or label these products (at this point…and maybe someday they will be legally required to do so.), but they simply say that all store brand products are non-GMO. I’m not comfortable with that and feel like I’m taking my chances if I buy TJ’s tasty (yet not very healthy) cheese curl corn-based cheeto-like snack thingies.

      There is a new update on TJ’s site, and it looks like they now include the word “expectation” (I don’t recall if this was included in previous statements, but it certainly gives them endless wiggle room):

      Quote:….”Given our position on GMO ingredients in Trader Joe’s label products, and the work done in support of that position, it is our expectation that our products test as non-GMO. We’re unable to make the same claims for branded products (products not in the Trader Joe’s label).”

      I like Trader Joe’s and still shop there for some things, but I would like a better answer (and “proof”) about the GMO content in all those hundreds of TJ’s brand products. Articles like this are helpful and necessary to help keep people informed. Try to see the good and benefit here.

      Also Moneva, I am taking the time to respond to this because of your comment to me above which I wasn’t able reply to.

      Yes, I am aware of much about our food system. And I realize some food is irradiated, etc. I really don’t shop at large chain stores like Kroger much anymore and I’m not comparing TJ’s to that. (I’m lucky to have great small stores and farmer’s markets, TJ’s, Whole Foods, Food Co-op etc). And I have noticed that TJ’s produce sometimes tends to spoil quicker than other produce I purchase, and this isn’t always organic TJs products (though I have noticed TJs organic strawberries and celery spoil rather quickly). I even discussed this with a store manager after I had to bring back some spoiled, horrible smelling chicken (the moment I opened the package) and he acknowledged that sometimes there are issues with the food being fresh and not pulled soon enough and that they were working on that.

      So don’t assume everyone but you is clueless. Your comment had an irritating snarky tone, and it’s not effective to communicate like that.

      Note, here is the snarky comment from Moneva above:

      “Well Jen, let me help you out about fresh food spoiling rather fast. The reason for this lies in a simple fact: the food is probably harvested in its most natural form, and it probably has incurred no manipulations, such as radiation treatment. As a result, it just behaves like normal fresh produce should: it decays fast once it is severed from its growing stalk. I guess most folks never knew that or even think about it, because if you buy food from other grocers, you can leave it in the fridge forever, and it won’t spoil…. even lettuce! Who in their scientific minds would think that is the normal behavior? While lowered temperatures will slow down the decaying process, they won’t stop it all together. I have bought fruit from other big local supermarkets, and – oh how miraculous – it will stay put on the kitchen counter, non refrigerated, for days on end, without showing any signs of decay. Now, that is what I would call a suspicious situation, and folks should be upset about it!

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  41. Regarding Charles Shaw wine … When you mention “grape musk” as an additive, I’m pretty sure you mean “grape must” which is defined as fresh grape juice that contains skins and seeds. It is widely available and totally natural. If there is such a thing as “grape musk” that is used in winemaking (and as a wine professional I seriously doubt that there is) would you please provide some documentation. It’s the least you could do as an investigative journalist-blogger.

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