
Organic food
FROM: July 13, 2011 by POPEYE
Filed under Featured Stories, Health
FederalJack.com
Not many consumers realize that the FDA does not require genetically modified food to be labeled. That’s because the FDA has decided that you, dear consumer, don’t care if the tomato you’re eating has been cross bred with frog genes to render the tomato more resistant to cold weather. Some consumers may not be concerned with eating Frankenfood, but for those who are, here’s how to determine if the fruits and vegetables you’re buying are (GM) genetically modified.
Hat tip to Marion Owen for her valuable information. Here’s how it works:
For conventionally grown fruit, (grown with chemicals inputs), the PLU code on the sticker consists of four numbers.
Organically grown fruit has a five-numeral PLU prefaced by the number 9.
Genetically engineered (GM) fruit has a five-numeral PLU prefaced by the number 8.
For example:
A conventionally grown banana would be: 4011
An organic banana would be: 94011
A genetically engineered (GE or GMO) banana would be: 84011
These tips are specially important now that over 80% of all processed foods in the US are genetically modified. Many countries in the European Union have been banning GM products and produce (including Austria, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary and Luxembourg). We say “Eat healthy, buy or grow organic”.
This helps for fresh produce.
The best sites for getting updated info on GM foods are the following.
http://www.powerbase.info/index.php/GM_Watch:_Portal
http://truefoodnow.org/: This one also has an app to download so you can keep up with the latest info on your mobile phone
http://responsibletechnology.org/buy-non-gmo: Jeffrey Smith, who wrote ‘Seeds of Deception’ and ‘Genetic Roulette’, founded this organization. This site also has a wealth of information.
Attached is the non-GMO phamplet I downloaded on 7/15/11.
Also recommended are the 2 books above by Jeffrey Smith, which will help people better understand genetic engineering.
There are many other helpful sites but those may be the best place to start.
Btw, the USDA just approved GE Alfalfa. The issue especially with this is that compost sold as organic for our gardens will be impacted. This means the organic compost seller will need to certify his compost. So if he gets compost from horse barns and mixes it with other ingredients, how does he know the horses have all been fed non-GMO hay.
Also, free free to review or download the non GMO shopping guide (pdf) here; Non GMO Shopping Guide
Thanks again to FederalJack.com