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Step 1
Read the PLU labels. If the five digit PLU number starts with “8,” the food is either genetically modified or genetically engineered. Don’t buy it. Please note that all fruit has a four digit PLU code. This number tells you what kind of fruit it is. If the PLU code has five numbers, the first number represents either organic (8) or genetically modified (9).
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Step 2
Shop at natural food stores. Shopping at a natural or organic food store does not eliminate the possibility of purchasing genetically modified food, although it does increase the possibility of having a wider variety of non-genetically modified fruits and vegetables.
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Step 3
Purchase a share of a Community Support Agriculture (CSA). Basically, a CSA share is purchasing a portion of a farmer’s harvest. The farmer provides you with a basket full of fruits and vegetables every week. Sometimes, CSA can also offer raw milk and fresh eggs. Some farmers, like those at Common Good Farms in Nebraska, refuse to grow genetically modified fruit and vegetables. Be sure to ask your farmer before you purchase the share!
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Step 4
Buy direct from the farmer. You can ask the farmer at your local farmer’s market if they grow non-GMO produce. If they don’t know, don’t buy. Be aware that most seeds and plants out there today are genetically modified or engineered.
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Step 5
Grow your own produce. Look in the seed catalog or on the package for the “Non-GMO” label. If there is no label, you can assume that the seed or plant is genetically modified. Baker Creek Heirloom Seed Company and Seed Savers Exchange have an excellent selection of non-GMO seeds, as well as a beautiful array of heirloom varieties.









Comments
nigelt said
on 3/19/2008 After researching this issue, it is clear that this is not the way to avoid GE food. Please refer to the article here: http://www.undoge.org/?p=25
WriterGig said
on 3/6/2008 Step 1 seems to be a contradiction. Can you please clarify? Thanks!
KittyJ said
on 2/19/2008 yes, step number one is a contradiction. So, which is it? We should avoid number 8, or 8 means organic?
HarrietTubman said
on 2/13/2008 thanks for the clarity. very helpful information
DLove said
on 1/31/2008 What was said about the PLU codes is a little misleading. Fruit normally has a 4 digit PLU code, i.e. 1234. If a piece of fruit has a 5 digit PLU code, meaning a normal code prefaced with an 8, i.e. 81234, that denotes that the fruit is genetically modifed. A normal 4 digit code that just happens to begin with 8 does not necessarily mean that the fruit has been modified.