by: ciel s cantoria • edited by: Tania Cowling • updated: 4/7/2010We have heard of genetically modified foods but can we recognize these GM foods if ever we see one? There have been negative issues about genetically modified foods; are they properly monitored and regulated to ensure that public health and safety are protected?
Examples of Genetically Modified Foods
In one of the archived publications of the Associated Press, it disclosed that the Grocery Manufacturers of America has estimated that as of 2005, about 70 to 75% of the processed foods sold in the US contain genetically modified ingredients. A specific list of genetically modified foods presently patronized and being consumed by the US populace would be difficult to furnish. Since its introduction and penetration of the US market, genetically modified foods were hardly labeled as such; hence, the consumers have had no way of knowing if what they had chosen to purchase were genetically altered products. Some were simply derived from genetically modified plant varieties.
In some grocery stores, attempts to differentiate GM foods were implemented by placing the GM products on separate store shelves under the category "Modified". The segregation was mainly on the basis that most of the processed foods displayed in these shelves contain GM soy. In fact, it is said that half of the soy crops found in North America are genetically altered.
As a consumer's guide, you may want to carefully consider foods that are modified and contain the following genetically modified ingredients:
+ Canola- this could be included in oil products and in fried or baked snack foods.
+ Corn- GM corns have been developed as pest resistant and the unfit variety exceeds its Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) or the self-produced pesticide. Be wary of corn-based products like snack foods, baked and fried foods, soft drinks, confectionery, special purpose foods as well as edible oil foods.
+ Sweet Corn- genetically modified like the regular corn wherein the US the FDA confirmed that thousand of tons of sweet corn intended only as animal feeds have been included in foods sold for human consumption.
+ Cottonseed Oil- may be found in blended vegetable oil products, casings, snack food, edible oil products as well as fried or baked foods.
+ Dairy Products- Based on studies, an estimated 22% of US cows are injected with bovine growth hormone as a form of genetic modification.
+ Honey- In Canada, some bees collect nectar from GM canola plants hence the honey collected from these bees are sustained by GM crops. Due to this, Canadian honey is banned in Europe.
+ Meat- meat from animals that come from farms that use GM feed or injected with the bovine growth hormone.
+ Papaya- GM papayas have been developed as virus resistant and about 1,000 hectares in Hawaii grow this type of GM papayas, which represent ¾ of Hawaii’s papaya crops.
+ Peas- GM peas have been tested in mice and have manifested possible allergens since they have been injected with kidney beans in order to create their own pesticide.
+ Potatoes- Russett Burbank, Russet Norkatah, Atlantic and Shepody may have been used for snack foods, and other processed potato and other food products.
+ Rapeseed- developed to have inherent resistance to pesticide but certain compositions of leftover foods containing rapeseed, revealed toxins and were unfit to be fed to animals. In Canada, the crop was genetically engineered and was said to have been renamed as canola.
+ Rice- There are reports that a rice variety containing human genes will be cultivated in US soils but will be used in developing countries as medium for human proteins that will treat infant diarrhea.
+ Soybeans- GM plant variety that were developed as herbicide resistant and will be used in the production of soybean-based foods like soy milk and other drinks, tofu, soy four, lecithin, soy oil, and other soy-based by-products that are mostly snack foods, baked or fried foods, pastries, breads, edible oil and special purpose foods.
+ Tomatoes- This crop was genetically modified in order to attain longer shelf-life by inhibiting the crop's natural tendency to rot and degrade easily.
+ Vegetable Oil- This product is largely considered as genetically modified since they are mostly derived from GM corn, soy, canola or cottonseed. The only vegetable oils that can be considered as not GM food products are those that are specifically labeled as organic or Non-GMO.
+ Vitamins- Most vitamins were derived from GM food sources: Vitamin C from corn, D and K carriers from corn derivatives such as starch, glucose and maltodextrin, E from soy, A, B2, B6 and B12 from genetically modified organisms.
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I know the quoted article is old, but still valid and it gives us information on GMO - Food products in the US. If you are living in USA California you can vote for a law on GMO food Labeling in November. (The Law text).
But Asking for labeling of food is not enough to stop this from happening. And then not only the food is, but everyday products are containing substances like hormones etc. which are dangerous to our health.
Seeing the problem is one thing, but understanding the problem and action upon that understanding is another !
It should stop !
Ak Malten, Pro Peaceful Energy Use
read the complete article - Examples of Genetically Modified Foods- Are They Regulated ? at brighthub.com
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