How to Tell if Your Food is Genetically Modified, Organic or Conventional
Monday, October 11, 2010 by: Anthony Gucciardi, citizen journalist
(NaturalNews) We live in a world where genetic modification of the food supply is extremely prevalent. It is extremely important to be able to identify whether or not your food has been a target of genetic modification, or sprayed with pesticides. There are numerous methods of identifying the origins of your food by reading labels and looking for key indicators.
Reading the labels is the easiest way to determine if your food is safe to eat. Produce labels will contain a series of numbers. These numbers will tell you everything you need to know when it comes to identifying whether or not it is organic.
If the number on the label begins with a 4, it is conventional produce. This produce has most likely been sprayed with pesticides. Genetically modified produce will start with the number 8, and it often is identified with a string of numbers consisting of 5 digits. Organic produce will be labeled with 5 digits also but will begin with the number 9. Always check the label twice, as it is sometimes hard to tell at first glance.
As far as other food products, it is also all told in the labeling.
If a product is labeled as organic, it may not be fully organic. FDA regulations and rules allow for products that are not 100% organic to be labeled organic. Look for labels indicating that the product is 100% organic. When a product contains this label, it is truly organic. This means that it also does not contain any genetically modified ingredients.
Always read the ingredients of a product anyway to ensure there are no harmful additives, but the 100% organic label is the ideal label when it comes to searching for quality food products. So what if a product isn’t 100% organic? How do you know if it contains genetically modified ingredients? Products labeled “Non-GMO” or “GMO-free” are statements that indicate the absence of genetically modified ingredients. Keep in mind that high-fructose corn syrup is known for being genetically modified, so avoid products containing this ingredient. High-fructose corn syrup has also been found to contain mercury.
Article submitted by Teri Perticone
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