What exactly is GMO food?

So much of the food we eat has been corrupted by GMOs.

What exactly is GMO food? It’s a plant or meat product that has had its DNA artificially altered in a laboratory by genes from other plants, animals, viruses, or bacteria, in order to produce foreign compounds in that food. This type of alteration is experimental and not found in nature. Here’s a frightening example for you; genetically modified corn has been engineered in a laboratory to produce pesticides in its own tissue. In fact, that pesticide is derived from ecoli bacteria; so if you eat that corn, or maize, you are in fact eating a derivative of ecoli bacteria.

Unlike the strict safety evaluations supposedly required for the approval of new drugs (which frankly lets drugs lose on the public that years later are proven to be, let’s say, not that safe), the safety of genetically engineered foods for human consumption has not been adequately tested. In fact, to date, there have not been any long term studies done to determine the safely of ingesting genetically engineered foods.

The USDA has released the official law, which will be implemented at the beginning of 2020 but which will not require food companies to comply until January, 2022. You may see some companies labeling ahead of the required date, but the foods will be labeled in a variety of ways.

The rule says, “bioengineered food … shall not be treated as safer than, or not as safe as, a non-bioengineered counterpart.” We are being told that is because research has proven that bioengineered foods are safe. but you will have a hard time convincing me of that. The new food labels are simply information for you, the consumer, and do not indicate either nutrition or safety.

Currently, you can be sold a GM (Genetically Modified) food without being told it is GM as long as it’s not too different in chemical composition from foods already on the market. The testing done (which, by the way is done by the manufacturer…there’s a dope slap, America) is done only to determine unexpected changes from the unmodified food for a very limited number of issues such as toxins, nutrients or allergens. No further food safety testing is required as long as these tests show no significant difference between the modified and unmodified products.

How do I protect myself and my family from GMO food?

To protect yourself and your family, you need to look for products (including organic products) that feature the NON-GMO Project Verified Seal to be sure that at-risk ingredients have been tested for GMO content.

Helping You Make Major Improvements in Your Life!

Cheryl Major

Cheryl A Major lives in Westford and is a Certified Nutrition and Wellness Consultant. Her TV show, Thin Strong Healthy, airs on WestfordCat and is an offshoot of her blog http://ThinStrongHealthy.com Cheryl offers ongoing information, live and online courses and personal health coaching to help you feel better and be healthier. Follow Cheryl on Twitter @CherylAMajor. She is also a full time residential Realtor with Coldwell Banker with more than 25 years experience.

Cheryl’s book, Eat Your Blues Away is available now on Amazon. She is busy writing her next book, The Major Method!