How to Avoid Genetically Engineered Food

As a consumer, each time you go to the super market you put yourself at risk for buying and eating genetically modified foods. There is no requirement in the United States to label genetically engineered food and it's impossible to tell just by looking. Follow this guide to avoid the consumption of these hazardous and unpredictable foods.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Desire to live a more healthy life
• Aversion to Franken-foods

1. 
    

   Buy Certified Organic. Organic food has not been genetically modified as long as the growers do not use bio-engineered seed. If the label says "organic" we can generally assume the food does not contain genetically engineered materials.

2. 
    

   Watch out for Dairy! If the cows have been fed genetically modified grains and treated with Bovine Growth Hormone, it's being passed to the consumer through their milk. The best way to avoid this problem is to buy organic dairy products whenever possible. They may cost more but the price is well worth the health of your family.

3. 
    

   Grow your own food whenever possible. Even if you live in the city or have no land to work with, everyone can grow something. There are many varieties of vegetables that grow especially well in pots and small spaces. It's probably best to use organic seeds for starting your veggies, as these have a greater chance of not being genetically tampered with.

4. 
    

   Buy in Season. Many genetically engineered foods are produced year round, making it possible to buy a Watermelon in December, only at the risk of your health and the health of our earth. Buy foods according to their natural calendar and support your local farmers and non genetically engineered food.

5. 
    

   Be well informed. Read books, magazines, websites, etc. for the latest information on our dwindling natural food supply and the attempts of large corporations to modify our life-giving foods for profit.

Tips & Warnings

• Join a local organization if you really want to become active. Many communities have a local ecology center, organic gardening group, or something similar. These organizations could be helpful in working to modify local institutions such as schools, hospitals, restaurants, etc. Each member of such an organization becomes an agent for change in your community, and in the fight against genetically engineered food.
• Food labeled "natural" or "without additional chemicals" is not the same thing as "organic". Beware of label tricks.
• When scoping out seeds to grow your own food, look out for the "Safe Seed Pledge" written by seed companies to make sure you're buying from a company that does not carry genetically modified seeds.

[LilacGirl]

on 10/15/2008 Very important article, we all need to avoid this stuff!

[ursaminor]

on 7/26/2008 I read somewhere that almost all spices have been irradiated. It's not the same as genetically engineered, but it just goes to show that most markets don't care what happens to you after you buy their products. This is extremely important information; thank you so much for passing it on! 5 stars.