HealthNotes

Tests done this year by Consumer Reports suggest that GMO ingredients are present in many packaged foods. GMOs are genetically modified organisms—commonly corn and soy—that have had genes from another species added to their DNA, usually to make them produce their own pesticides, or to withstand herbicides that would normally kill them. More than 70% of Americans say they don’t want GMOs in their food, and 92% believe they should be labeled. Because the federal government does not require such labeling, Consumer Reports tested 80 packaged food products with either corn or soy ingredients to see how widespread GMOs actually are. Here’s what they found:

• Most of the conventional foods that were tested, even if they were labeled “natural,” contained substantial amounts of GMO corn or soy.
• Products labeled as “Organic” or certified as “Non-GMO” did not contain genetically modified corn or soy (no more than 0.9%). Other products that claimed to be GMO-free also did not generally contain GMOs, even if they were not organic or certified non-GMO.
• Dietary supplements were not tested. To find non-GMO supplements look for the “Non-GMO Project Verified” seal; otherwise, supplements with an organic label are the next best choice.
• Protein and snack bars contained GMO ingredients, unless they were organic or claimed to be non-GMO.

Source: Consumer Reports