Are there GMOs in my coffee? No, the NCA is not aware of any GMO coffee in the marketplace. However, flavorings and additives used in coffee products may qualify as GMO if, for example, they contain soy or corn derivatives that are themselves GMO foods.
Most unprocessed or little-processed foods, such as peanut butter, blueberries, wheat bread, milk, cheese and vegetables contain no genetically engineered ingredients.
6 Non-GMO Cereal Brands
- Kashi. Kashi has 92 products that are GMO-free, from their GO Cinnamon Crisp cereal to gluten-free waffles.
- The Cereal School. At Cereal School, you'll find that all four cereals are completely free of GMOs.
- Cascadian Farms.
- Barbara's.
- Nature's Path.
- Bear Naked.
The scientist Dennis Gonsalves developed the genetically modified Rainbow papaya, which can defend itself from papaya ring spot disease by inserting a gene from the virus into the fruit's genetic code. The Rainbow papaya was introduced in 1992, and is credited with saving Hawaii's $11m papaya industry.
Broccoli, for example, is not a naturally occurring plant. It's been bred from undomesticated Brassica oleracea or 'wild cabbage'; domesticated varieties of B. oleracea include both broccoli and cauliflower. However, these aren't the plants that people typically think of when they think of GMOs.
A group of scientists did an extensive review of research on the safety of crops from GMOs over the past 10 years. They found no significant harm directly tied to genetic engineering. And the American Medical Association thinks genetically modified foods are OK.
Most commonly found in crops such as soybeans, corn and canola, GMOs are designed to provide a higher nutritional value to food, as well as protect crops against pests. Organic foods, on the other hand, do not contain any pesticides, fertilizers, solvents or additives.
The intensive cultivation of GM crops has raised a wide range of concerns with respect to food safety, environmental effects, and socioeconomic issues. The major cons are explored for cross-pollination, pest resistance, human health, the environment, the economy, and productivity.
Help us grow the food movement and reclaim our food.It has been estimated that upwards of 75% of processed foods on supermarket shelves – from soda to soup, crackers to condiments – contain genetically engineered ingredients.
Most Common GMOs
- Alfalfa. Much of commercially available alfalfa has been genetically modified to contain a gene that makes it resistant to the herbicide Roundup.
- Canola. It is estimated that about 90% of US canola crops are genetically modified.
- Corn.
- Cotton.
- Papaya.
- Potato.
- Soy.
- Sugar Beet.
A fresh new report from the World Resources Institute notes that GMOs and genetically modified food are going to be an important tool for feeding a global population that is expected to reach 10 billion people by 2050. GMOs are researched, developed, and brought to market specifically to address a problem.
The possible benefits of genetic engineering include:
- More nutritious food.
- Tastier food.
- Disease- and drought-resistant plants that require fewer environmental resources (such as water and fertilizer)
- Less use of pesticides.
- Increased supply of food with reduced cost and longer shelf life.
- Faster growing plants and animals.
Yes. There is no evidence that a crop is dangerous to eat just because it is GM. There could be risks associated with the specific new gene introduced, which is why each crop with a new characteristic introduced by GM is subject to close scrutiny.
For instance, when you see the Non-GMO Project Verified seal on eggs or chicken, it means there are no genetically modified ingredients in the animals' feed. If the product doesn't contain canola, corn, soy, or sugar—or ingredients derived from them—you can feel reasonably certain that it does not have GMOs.
In the United States there are 11 commercially available genetically modified crops in the United States: soybeans, corn (field and sweet), canola, cotton, alfalfa, sugar beets, summer squash, papaya, apples and potatoes.
