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Genetically modified ingredients...It's what's for dinner
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In keeping with my premise that sustainable living starts within us, how do we shop and eat sustainably? The single best action any of us food eaters can do to lighten our footprint on the planet is this, buy locally farmed produce in season, whether its organic or not. In most of the United States, that really limits what can be purchased in the winter, but here in California our climate allows year round crop production.
Simply put, local produce sales are better for the planet, your health and the local economy. Additionally, local produce is easier on global warming because the produce typically travels less than 100 miles to its buyers as opposed to the average of 2000 miles that many conventionally farmed foods travel to reach your plates. In the book "Green Living," Jennifer Hall, manager of Bon Apetit in Seattle said, "For flavor, you can't beat anything that's local. Ideally, it would've been picked more recently than anything from far-flung places."
If you want to look at sustainably eating another way, eating is like voting. Every purchase we make at drive thru windows, restaurants, supermarkets, vending machines, natural foods markets or health foods stores votes for or against sustainable business, for or against corporate farms and for or against organic agriculture. Your dollars are the biggest weapon you wield in promoting sustainable produce and foods. But don't make the mistake of believing that just because an item is sold in a natural foods market that it is sustainable or healthy. Here's where things get a little tricky.
According to "Green Living," in tests conducted and managed by the Genetic Engineering Action Network, hundreds of well known brands like Kelloggs, Post, Quaker and General Mills contain genetically modified ingredients as well as Harvest Burgers by Morningstar and Natural Touch's Black bean burgers. As of yet, Congress does not require companies to categorically list genetically engineered ingredients. However, you can use this little secret as you make a point to ALWAYS READ INGREDIENT LABELS. Look at the code printed on the small sticker on the produce. If the PLU code number begins with a 9, its organic. If the number begins with a 4, its conventionally grown produce (meaning they use pesticides) and if the number begins with an 8, its genetically engineered. This is the only way, in fact, that U.S. consumers can check to see if the produce they are purchasing is genetically modified.
Presently, over 80 percent of all soybeans and 71 percent of all corn grown in the US are genetically engineered to grow well even after being doused with chemical weed killers. Some strains of corn are even genetically altered to contain their own pesticides. In a 2004 pilot study done by the Union of Concerned Scientists, researchers bought seeds at retailers used by US farmers for three major crops, canola, corn and soybeans. After being tested, the seeds were found to be permeated with low levels of genetically modified organisms. That translated into about one percent of the seeds on the market being contaminated with genetically modified organisms. Diligence in reading labels and knowing what they mean can make a big difference in what you and your family consume. Make sure you know what you and your family are eating. Its one of the most important choices you, as a consumer, can make.
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