GMO’s In “Organic” Foods?

Whole Foods in Lincoln Park recently weathered the brunt of a lively activist protest against the sale of genetically modified foods. “No one would guess that there are genetically engineered foods right here in Whole Foods,” said Alexis Baden-Mayer Many, political director of the Organic Consumers Association, who organized the protest. Indeed, many consumers are shocked to hear that the organic food giant sells foods containing genetically modified organisms (GMO’s) including mega-brands Tofutti, Kashi and Boca Burgers since the definition of organic foods specifies that they cannot “knowingly contain” GMO’s. However, with the widespread use of genetically modified soy, corn, and other crops many major organic food retailers say it is becoming impossible to avoid stocking products that contain them.

Crops have been altered for centuries through selective breeding and other such practices but GMO’s utilize DNA splicing, a practice that many say has not been sufficiently tested for its safety. DNA splicing moves genes from one source to another, often with the intent of producing crops that can easily withstand pesticides.

While industry representatives claim that GMO’s are harmless and that there is no need to label foods that contain them, many consumers believe they have the right to know what products have them. Some consumers also believe that conclusive testing is needed to prove that GMO’s are risk-free for humans before putting them on the market. The U.S. is one of just a handful of industrialized nations that does not require the labeling or testing of GMO’s. [LA Times]