GMO FAQs and More...

Did you know that all organic foods sold in the US must be certified to the USDA National Organic Standards, which prohibit the use of GMOs? Check out this very insightful GMO FAQs published by WholeFoods. Here is a summary:

What are GMOs?

Genetic Modification is a technique that changes the genetic makeup of cells, including alteration of genetic materials and other biologically important chemicals, and allows genes to move across species. It produces new combinations of genes and traits that do not occur in nature. Plants that have been altered in this way are called GMOs, or genetically modified organisms, or GE, genetically engineered. GMO plants are modified to include genes allowing them to survive the application of chemical herbicides, or cause the plants to produce pesticides.

What foods are most likely to contain GMOs?

With regard to our North American food supply, approximately 93% of soy, 88% of field corn, 94% cotton, and over 90% of canola seed and sugar beets planted in the U.S. (2012 data) are genetically engineered.According to the Non-GMO Project, the following are considered High-Risk Crops (in commercial production; ingredients derived from these must be tested every time prior to use in Non-GMO Project Verified products (as of December 2011):

• Alfalfa (first planting 2011)
• Canola (approx. 90% of U.S. crop)
• Corn (approx. 88% of U.S. crop in 2011)
• Cotton (approx. 90% of U.S. crop in 2011)
• Papaya (most of Hawaiian crop; approximately 988 acres)
• Soy (approx. 94% of U.S. crop in 2011)
• Sugar Beets (approx. 95% of U.S. crop in 2010)
• Zucchini and Yellow Summer Squash (approx. 25,000 acres)

More information on other high-risk foods, monitored crops and common ingredients derived from GMO risk crops can be found on their website, nongmoproject.org.

What can I do to avoid GMOs in the grocery store?

• Choose organic products. All organic foods sold in the U.S. must be certified to the USDA National Organic Standards, which prohibit the use of GMOs.
• Look for the Non-GMO Project Verified seal on products.

Source: WholeFoods.com

Organic Foods Can Contain Non-Organic Ingredients

According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture standards, a food product can be labeled as "100% Organic," "Organic," or "made with organic ingredients." To be 100% Organic, the item can only contain organically produced ingredients. "Organic" means that 95% of the ingredients listed must be organically grown.
However, a few years ago the USDA formalized their list of ingredients that are exempt from the above, as a result of petitions from suppliers alleging that they are too difficult to source in organic forms. So there is a list of 38 ingredients that don't have to be organic even if a food is labeled as such. These include celery powder, sausage casings, some colorings, fish oils, hops and others.


Source: Daily Green

Ice Cream, Frozen Custard, Gelato or Sorbet?

Summer requires some ice cream, and kids love it!!! There are a variety of versions in the market. Learn the difference, and pick the healthier ones. We bet kids won't notice.

Ice Cream - must contain no less than 10% milkfat. Many low-fat ice creams and certainly all fat-free ice creams are not true to the definition from the FDA.
Frozen Custard - is the same as ice cream except with a higher concentration of egg yolks, making the dessert richer.  
Gelato - incorporates less air than ice cream, and less butterfat too (3-10%). In a nutshell, it is denser and less fattening than regular ice cream.
Sherbet - is a frozen pasteurized mixture of fruit and water that can contain milk or another dairy ingredient. It contains between 1-2% milkfat.
Sorbet - is technically a water ice in terms of the FDA. Prepared the same as a sherbet except that it does not have to be pasteurized and it contains no milk or eggs, except possibly egg whites.


Make your choice! There are better versions including organic ingredients, yogurt and real fruits with natural colors. All delicious.


Sources: FDA.gov, Yahoo, Bon Apettit

What is On Your Food? Find Out....

We came across a quite useful online tool to find out levels of pesticide in food items. The Pesticide Action Network's online database compares organic to conventional food, and describes in details levels of pesticides of common items that we eat and drink on a regular basis. It is sourced by the official USDA database.

Visit www.whatsonmyfood.org and click on a food to find out the details.
Check it out. It is a free tool!

Great News for Organic Food Eaters

The US Department of Agriculture will begin enforcing rules requiring the spot testing of organically grown foods for traces of pesticides, after an auditor exposed major gaps in federal oversight of the organic food industry.


The testing for pesticide residues is expected to begin in September. It will be done by the network of independent certifying agents that are already accredited by the department to inspect and certify organic growers, processors and handlers.

Source: NYTimes.com