Genetically modified organisms – or GMOs – are a hot topic in the food industry. More than 70% of packaged foods sold in North America contain genetically modified ingredients. More than 88% of corn, 94% of soybeans, and 90% of cotton in the U.S. are grown from GMO seeds. And all of these figures are rising.
Despite the U.S. Food & Drug Administration’s assurances that GMO crops were “substantially equivalent” to conventional crops, some health, environment, and consumer advocates believe GMOs can be harmful, both to people and nature.
In lieu of a federal mandate requiring food manufacturers to disclose modified ingredients, the states have taken up this issue. Already in 2014, Vermont passed the first GMO labeling requirement with no restrictions, but this law won’t take effect until 2016. And 35 more bills have been introduced in 20 other states.
But how can you make an informed choice right now? The answer could be in your pocket.
Available on Android and Apple devices, the True Food app helps shoppers identify which foods contain modified ingredients. The “green list” shows users what products are made by companies that work to avoid modified ingredients. The “red list” alerts users to ingredients that are likely to have come from modified crops, and products that are made by manufacturers who have confirmed their products may have been made with modified ingredients.
With the long term health and environmental impacts of GMOs relatively unknown, consumers deserve the right to make an informed choice – the right to purchase True Food.
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Photo, posted August 19, 2007, courtesy of Alex Lomas via Flickr.
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Earth Wise is a production of WAMC Northeast Public Radio.