Genetically Engineered? {Part 3 of 3}

Now, what about genetically engineered (GE) foods, also referred to as genetically modified, or GMOs?
These are altered at the molecular level in ways that could not happen naturally. This means plants and animals that have had their genetic makeup altered to exhibit traits that are not naturally theirs. These techniques use DNA molecules from different sources, sometimes different species, and combine them into one molecule to create a new set of genes. I won’t go into much gory detail, but when this is done in animals, they grow at a ridiculously fast rate (like 5 times faster than they should.) You see this a lot in chicken and more recently, salmon. I don’t know about you, but if it wasn’t put on this planet that way…I’m probably not supposed to eat it. Something tells me God made chicken just the way they were meant to be eaten. The majority of the livestock (with the exception of USDA certified organic livestock) that Americans consume have been raised on genetically engineered grains. This is not just because they have been modified themselves, but because the two most prevalent genetically engineered crops are corn and soy which are used in many processed foods and most animal feeds.
This doesn’t just apply to meat. 60-70% of processed foods available in grocery stores likely contain some GE material. 

Here is how you can make a healthy, educated choice when it comes to the produce section! Look at the sticker!
Organically grown will have five digits and start with the number 9 (94823). 

Conventionally grown will have four digits and will NOT start with a 9.  They usually start with the number 4 (4129).

Genetically modified will always begin with the number 8. You NEVER want to consume genetically modified foods.
To sum it up, unless its a fruit or veggie…you just don’t know what’s in it.
If you are still with me at this point, you truly are an awesome reader. Learning what we have over the past few weeks poses the question WHY???


I have recently had the opportunity to join forces with the Label My Food! campaign. It gives consumers like you and I an opportunity to share our opinions! We have a right to know what’s in our food. A legal petition calling for mandatory labeling of GE foods has been submitted to the FDA. You can be a part of this as well and take action. Its as simple as adding your name to the hundreds of thousands of partners and consumers who support the petition.