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The big picture: GMO stands for Genetically Modified Organism. GMOs are living things (plants, animals, etc) that have undergone a genetic makeover in a lab. This could involve adding a gene from another organism or tweaking an existing one. Unlike traditional breeding, a Russian roulette of genes, GMO technology acts like a laser scalpel, targeting specific traits. Fun fact: tomatoes were the first genetically modified produce sold in America.
You're probably more familiar with GMOs than you realize. For example, almost all soybeans, corn, sugar beets, and canola are genetically modified in some way–and as you probably know, these are all major ingredients in any processed food you may enjoy and love.
A study conducted in 2020 found that 38% of Americans felt GMOs were unsafe–but is that the truth? In terms of government regulation, the FDA, USDA, and EPA are all working together to continue regulating GMO safety. In terms of scientists… They currently offer a reassuring "no problemo" in terms of GMO dangers. Extensive research hasn't found a link between GMOs and health issues like cancer, obesity, or allergies. GMOs can actually be engineered to be more resistant to pests and diseases, reducing the need for pesticides. This translates to a potential environmental benefit and, with higher yields, could even lower food prices for you. However, studies have never been done on how our bodies actually digest GMO foods and whether they’re good for our gut microbiomes.
So, should you buy exclusively labeled "Non-GMO" products on your next shopping trip? The decision ultimately rests with you. If you prefer to avoid GMOs, the non-GMO label is your guide. But here's the catch: in the US, most GMOs aren't the scary Frankenfoods of science fiction. They're the corn, soy, and sugar beets hiding in countless processed foods. So, while the non-GMO label can be a helpful indicator, focusing on whole, unprocessed foods, regardless of their GMO status, might be a more impactful approach.
Foods can also be non-GMO without having the Non-GMO Project verification seal. For example, 2 of our flavors were able to be non-GMO project verified but even though our 2 cheese flavors use organic, non-gmo cheese, we were not able to get the verification seal for them because the organic dairy farms we work with do not have the capacity to track all of the feeds for the cows (despite the fact that their feeds are all organic and non-gmo). So while the non-gmo seal can be helpful, you can also find a lot of healthy options without the seal. There are also a lot of young brands buying organic and non-gmo ingredients who just don’t have the money to afford the verification process.
The bottom line is, don't let seals and labels be your sole shopping compass. Empower yourself with knowledge, prioritize whole foods, and make choices based on ingredients and nutrition labels that align with your values and budget. After all, an informed shopper is a healthy (and budget-conscious) shopper.
