Understanding GMO


Genetically modified organisms (GMOs) are living organisms whose genetic material has been artificially manipulated in a laboratory through genetic engineering. This creates combinations of plant, animal, bacterial and virus genes that do not occur in nature or through traditional hybridization methods.

Understanding GMO

Most GMOs are designed to withstand direct application of the herbicide and/or produce an insecticide. However, new technologies are being used to artificially improve other traits in plants, such as resistance to browning in apples, and to create new organisms using synthetic biology. Despite the promises of the biotech industry, there is no evidence that any of the GMOs currently on the market offer increased yields, drought tolerance, improved nutrition or any other consumer benefits.

In the absence of reliable independent long-term nutritional studies, the safety of GMOs is unknown. As a result, consumers are taking matters into their own hands and choosing to forgo the GMO experiment.

Sixty-four countries worldwide, including Australia, Japan and all countries in the European Union, require the labeling of genetically modified foods. Canada does not require any GMO labels.

Most packaged foods contain ingredients from corn, soy, canola and sugar beet, and the vast majority of these products are genetically modified.

Animal products: The NON GMO certification program also considers livestock, beekeeping and aquaculture products at high risk, as genetically modified ingredients are common in animal feed. This affects animal products such as eggs, milk, meat, honey and seafood.

Processed inputs, including from synthetic biology: GMOs also leach into food in the form of processed crop derivatives and inputs derived from other forms of genetic engineering, such as synthetic biology.

Some examples include: hydrolyzed vegetable protein corn syrup, molasses, sucrose, textured vegetable protein, sweeteners, vitamin yeast products, microbes and enzymes, flavors, oils and fats, proteins and sweeteners.

Because GMOs are new life forms, biotech companies have been able to obtain patents to control the use and distribution of their genetically modified seeds. Genetically modified crops therefore pose a serious threat to farmer sovereignty and the national food security of any country in which they are grown.

Do not hesitate to contact our expert team to get detailed information about the GMO Free and NON GMO label and certification, or to apply for certification.