What is a GMO?

Genetically modified organisms (GMOs) are made by forcing метро СПб genes from one species, such as bacteria, viruses, animals, or humans, into the DNA of a food crop or animal in order to introduce a new trait.

Why Should I Avoid GMOs?

The American Academy of Environmental Medicine reported, “Several animal studies indicate serious health risks associated with GM food, “including infertility, immune problems, accelerated aging, faulty insulin regulation, and changes in major organs and the gastrointestinal system. They urge physicians to prescribe healthier non-GMO foods to everyone

How can I avoid GMO foods?

Tip #1: Buy Organic

Certified organic products cannot intentionally include any GMO ingredients. Make sure you buy products labeled “100% organic,” “organic,” or “made with organic ingredients.” You can be doubly sure if the product also has a Non-GMO Project Verified Seal.

Tip #2: Look for Non-GMO Project Seals

This guide features brands with products verified by the Non-GMO Project, a non-profit organization committed to providing consumers with clearly labeled and independently verified non-GMO choices, including testing of at-risk ingredients. The Non-GMO Project verifies per individual product, not for an entire brand. Some of the brands listed in this guide offer both GMO and Non-GMO items.

 Tip #3: Avoid At-Risk Ingredients

If it’s not labeled organic or verified non-GMO, avoid products made with ingredients that might be derived from GMOs. The eight GM food crops are Corn, Soybeans, Canola, Cottonseed, Sugar Beets, Hawaiian Papaya (most) and a small amount of Zucchini and Yellow Squash. GM alfalfa is also fed to livestock.

Sugar: If a non-organic product made in North America lists “sugar” as an ingredient (and NOT pure cane sugar), then it is almost certainly a combination of sugar from both sugar cane and GM sugar beets. Dairy products may be from cows injected with GM bovine growth hormone. If it’s not labeled Organic, or Non-GMO Project Verified, look for labels stating No rbGH, rbST, or artificial hormones.

Tip #4: Use the Non-GMO Shopping Guide

Visit NonGMOShoppingGuide.com to see a complete list of Non-GMO products available from each brand in this guide or use the ShopNoGMO.

App on your iPhone—available for free at the iTunes store.

Alternative Dairy Products

Are you vegan, lactose intolerant or have allergies to dairy? You’re probably already familiar with dairy alternatives, such as soy milk, almond milk, rice milk, and other substitute products. Since so many alternative dairy products are made from soybeans, be aware that they may contain GM materials. Some or all of the products produced by the brands featured below are verified by the Non-GMO Project:

365 • Amande • Earth Balance • Eden • Follow Your Heart • Hemp Bliss • Luna & Larry’s Coconut Bliss • Manitoba Harvest • Native Forest • Organic Valley •Pacific Natural Foods • Sambazon • Silk • So Delicious Dairy free

Beverages: Most juices are made from non-GMO fruit (be cautious of papaya though, as it could be the Hawaiian GMO variety), but the prevalence of corn based sweeteners—e.g. high-fructose corn syrup (HFCS)—in fruit juices is cause for concern. Many sodas are primarily comprised of water and corn syrup. Look for 100% juice blends. Some brands are now moving away from HFCS to sugar, but unless it is pure cane sugar, it will include sugar from GM sugar beets. The sweetener Aspartame is derived from GM microorganisms. It is referred to as NutraSweet and Equal and is found in over 6,000 products, including diet drinks and diet sodas. Some or all of the products produced by the brands featured below are verified by the Non-GMO Project:

  • 365 • CADIA • Choice Organic Teas • Earth Balance • Field Day • Guayaki •Harvest Bay • Hemp Bliss • North Coast • Nutiva • Pacific Natural Foods •Sambazon • Silk • So Delicious Dairy Free

 Fruits & Vegetables (canned & frozen)

Very few fresh fruits and vegetables for sale are genetically modified. Novel products such as seedless watermelons are not genetically modified. Small amounts of zucchini, yellow crookneck squash, and sweet corn may be GM. The only commercialized GM fruit is papaya from Hawaii– about half of Hawaii’s papayas are GM. Even if the fruit or vegetable is non-GMO, if it is packaged, frozen, or canned, there may be GM additives. Some or all of the products produced by the brands featured below are verified by the Non-GMO Project:

365 • CADIA • Cape Cod Select • Central Market Organics • Field Day  •Funky Monkey Snacks • Little Duck Organics • Mary’s Little Garden • North Coast • Olé • SeaSnax • Stahlbush Island Farms • Sunset

Grains, Beans & Flour

Other than corn, no GM grains are sold on the market. Look for 100% wheat flour, pasta, couscous, rice, quinoa, oats, barley, sorghum, and dried beans (except soybeans). Some or all of the products produced by the brands featured below are verified by the Non-GMO Project:

  • 365 • Beanitos, The Bean Chips • Bora Bora • Coconut Secret • Della • Eden •Ener-G Foods • Field Day• Grain Place Foods• Hodgson Mill• KAMUT• Lillabee AllergyFriendly Baking • Lotus Foods • Lundberg Family Farms Naosap Harvest • Nutiva • Pacific Northwest Farmers Cooperative • RiceSelect • Salba • Stahlbush Island Farms • Stone Buhr Flour Company • truRoots • Woodstock • Yoga

Herbs, Spices & Other Ingredients

Although there are no spices that are genetically modified, sometimes spice combinations may include soy or corn derivatives. Some or all of the products produced by the brands featured below are verified by the Non-GMO Project:

  • 365 • A.Vogel • Field Day • Ruth’s Foods • Sophie’s Kitchen • Whole Pantry

Packaged/Frozen Meals

Many frozen and packaged meals are highly processed. Keep an eye out for derivatives of GM soy and corn, oil from canola & cottonseed, and sugar from GM sugar beets. Some or all of the products produced by the brands featured below are verified by the Non-GMO Project:

Bold Organics • Field Day • Fry Group Foods • Hilary’s Eat Well • Hodgson Mill • Lundberg Family Farms • PJ’s Organics • Sambazon • Sophie’s Kitchen • The Pure wraps

Snack Food & Bars

Look for snacks made from wheat, rice, or oats, and ones that use non-GM oils. There is no GM popcorn on the market, nor is there blue or red GM corn (although blue and red corn chips may have GM contamination). Some or all of the products produced by the brands featured below are verified by the Non-GMO Project:

  • 365 • Bakery On Main • Beanfields • Beanitos, The Bean Chips • Bora Bora • CADIA • Central Market Organics • Crunchmaster • Earth’s Best • EatPastry• Eatsmart Naturals • Eden • Edward & Sons • Field Day • Fireworks Popcorn • Flamous Organics• Freeline Organic Food• Funky Monkey Snacks • Garden of Eatin’ • Grain Place Foods • Green Mountain Gringo • HomeFree, LLC • Jolly Llama • Koyo • La Tolteca • Let’s Do… • Licious Organics • Luna & Larry’s Coconut Bliss • Lundberg Family Farms • Manitoba Harvest • Mary’s Gone Crackers • Mediterraneann Snacks • Nature’s Path • New Morning • Nutiva• ProBar