October Is National Non-GMO Month!

Use this guide to learn how to avoid foods made with genetically modified organisms (GMOs)

Non-GMO Shopping Tips

WHAT IS A GMO?

​Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs) are made by forcing genes from one species, such as bacteria, viruses, animals or humans, into the DNA of a food crop or animal to produce a new trait.

WHY SHOULD I AVOID GMOs?

​The American Academy of Environmental Medicine reported that " Several animal studies indicate serious health risks associated with GM food," including infertility, immune issues, accelerated aging, faulty insulin regulation and changes in major organs & the gastrointestinal system. Many physicians advise  ALL patients to choose healthier non-GMO foods.

TIPS TO AVOID GMOs

TIP #1: Buy Organic

Certified organic products cannot intentionally include any GMO ingredients. Buy products labeled "100% organic", "organic", or "made with organic ingredients". You can be doubly sure if the product also has a Non-GMO Project Verified Seal.

TIP #2: Look for Non-GMO Project Seals

​Products that carry the Non-GMO Project Seal are independently verified to be in compliance with North America's only third party standard for GMO avoidance, including testing of at-risk ingredients. The Non-GMO Project is a non-profit  organization committed to providing customers with clearly labeled and independently verified non-GMO choices.

TIP #3: Avoid At-Risk Ingredients

If it's not labeled organic or verified non-GMO:
Avoid products made with ingredients that might be derived from GMOs (see list). The eight GM food crops are Corn, Soybeans, Canola, Cottonseed, Sugar Beets, Hawaiian Papaya (most) and a small amount of Zucchini and Yellow Squash.

Sugar: If  a non-organic product made in North America lists "sugar" as an ingredient (and NOT pure cane sugar), then it is almost certainly a combination of sugar from both sugar cane and GM sugar beets.

​Dairy: Products may be from cows injected with GM bovine growth hormone. Look for labels stating NO rBGH, rBST, or artificial hormones.

INVISIBLE GM INGREDIENTS

Processed foods often have hidden GM sources (unless they are organic or labeled non-GMO). The following ingredients may be made from GM crops of GM micro-organisms.

Apsartame
baking powder
canola oil
caramel color
cellulose
citric acid
cobalamin (Vit. B12)
colorse
condensed milk
confectioners sugar
sugar
corn flour
corn masa
corn meal
corn oil
corn sugar
corn syrup
cottonseed oil
cyclodextrin
cystein
dextrin
dextrose
diacetyl
diglyceride
erythritol
Equal
food starch
frutose (any form)
glucose
glutamate
glutamic acid
gluten
glycerides
glycerin
glycerol
​glycerol monooleate

glycine
hemicellulose
high fructose corn syrup
hydrogenated starch
hydrolyzed vegetable protein
inositol
inverse syrup
invert sugar
inversol
isoflavones
lactic acid
lecithin
leucine
lysine
malitol
malt
malt syrup
malt extract
maltodextrin
maltose
mannitol
methylcellulose
milk powder
milo starch
modified food starch
modified starch
mono and diglyceride
monosodium glutamate (MSG)
Nutrasweet
oleic acid
Phenylalanine
phytic acid
protein isolate
shoyu
sorbitol
soy flour

soy isolates
​soy lecithin
soy milk
soy oil
soy protein
soy protein isolate
soy sauce
starch
stearic acid
sugar (unless cane)
tamari
tempeh
teriyaki marinade
textured vegetable protein
threonine
tocopherols (Vit. E)
tofu
trehalose
triglyceride
vegetable fat
vegetable
Vitamin B12
Vitamin E
whey
whey powder
xanthan gum

Asorbic acid (Vitamin C) although usually derived from corn, is probably not GM because it is not likely made in North America.

Popcorn is not GMO.