OMG…It’s Non-GMO Month

October is Non-GMO Month, created by the Non-GMO Project in 2010 as a platform for raising awareness on the GMO issue. Maybe you still remember the demonstrations in 1994 when the first genetically engineered food, Flavr Savr tomatoes, was approved by the FDA? In 2010, October was named Non-GMO (genetically modified organism) Month. Join GoMacro and millions of consumers across North America in celebrating our right to choose non-GMO!

Say No to GMO

Many consumers and organizations are discovering that GMOs may pose a risk to our health, our families, and our planet. The FDA takes the position that there is no scientific evidence that food derived from GMO crops poses any greater health risk than those from non-GMO crops.  Opponents of genetically modified foods, such as Organic Consumers Association, the Union of Concerned Scientists, and Greenpeace have questioned the objectivity of scientific studies that are paid for by the very corporations, who are manufacturing and profiting from GM seeds, as well as the regulatory agencies. Non-GMO Month is “an opportunity to coordinate our voices and our actions, so that we can stand up loudly and clearly for our right to know what’s in our food, and to choose non-GMO.”

Does Organic Mean Non-GMO?

Great question, and one that concerns many of us. Buying 100% Organic, Certified Organic, and USDA Organic-labeled products is the easiest way to identify and avoid GMOs. The U.S. and Canadian governments do not allow companies to label their products as such if they contain genetically modified foods. To take it one step further, you can buy products that are also verified by the Non-GMO Project, which means the producer went through a rigorous process similar to the one used to obtain organic certification—but focused only on GMO-processes.

Speaking of Labeling…

Since 1994, 64 countries, including most of Europe, have agreed that consumers have a right to know, and they require that any GMO foods being sold in a grocery store are clearly labeled. The United States is not one of the 64 countries. In America, The Non-GMO Project has responded to this by making it possible for companies to voluntarily label their products. GoMacro voluntarily labels our MacroBars to give you the certainty you need and to show our support for your right to know.

Most Americans haven’t been told about some of the ingredients that are in the food they eat. So it’s no wonder that a recent Consumer Reports poll found that 92% percent of the 1,000 respondents think that genetically engineered (GE) foods should be labeled before they are sold.

To that end, the Just Label It campaign was created. Just Label It is a national coalition of more than 650 organizations and 30,000 members advocating for mandatory labeling of GE foods. “While our reasons for wanting to know what’s in our food may vary, what unifies us is the belief that it’s our right,” says the campaign website. “Without labeling of GE foods, we cannot make informed choices about our food.”

Step Up to the Challenge

There are several ways to participate, from making sure your local natural food store is registered for Non-GMO Month, to choosing Non-GMO Project verified foods throughout October, to signing up for the -GMO Challenge. Whether it’s eating just one meal or doing so throughout the entire month, the Challenge is your opportunity to make a meaningful commitment to going non-GMO.

Got Non-GMO? Yes, We Do!

As pointed out in a previous post, all GoMacro MacroBars are verified non-GMO by the Non-GMO Project. Non-GMO certification requires ongoing testing of all at-risk ingredients, to ensure our suppliers are always complying with non-GMO standards. Non-GMO Project verification is the fastest growing label in the natural products industry and the most trusted sign of GMO avoidance.

The combination of our USDA Organic Certification and Non-GMO Project verification offers consumers the best of both worlds, assuring you that you're eating GMO-free food. We’ve got the labels to prove it. Because after all, it’s your right to know, and to choose.

So go ahead. Enjoy a GoMacro MacroBar (or several) in celebration of Non-GMO Month, and help us all continue to promote a healthy lifestyle!

 

Resouces:

http://www.nongmoproject.org/learn-more/understanding-our-seal/

http://gmo-awareness.com/2011/05/05/is-organic-always-gmo-free/

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Genetically_modified_food#Controversies