An article in the New York Times (12.20.13) was titled, “Group Seeks Special Label for Food: ‘Natural’. The Grocery Manufacturers Association, which represents the nation’s largest food and beverage companies, has petitioned the FDA to allow the ‘natural’ label to be attached to food products that contain genetically modified ingredients like corn, soy, canola and sugar.
I can’t wait to see how the FDA rules on this one. Since when is genetically modified anything ‘natural’? The FDA has allowed genetically modified food to saturate our food supply. Instead of mandating that food which contains GMO’s be properly labeled, the FDA has done the opposite; they have forbidden the proper labeling of food that contains GMO’s. Why would the FDA do that? I am sure you can come to the same conclusion as me—they have outlawed proper food labeling to satisfy the food industry.
Folks, the FDA does not work for us. It works for Big Pharma and other corporate interests such as the food industry. We don’t know if GMO food sources are safe since there have not been any substantive studies on the topic. And, when a study does not go the way that the GMO food industry and Monsanto want it go, they have it retracted. The journal, Food and Chemical Toxicology, recently retracted a study which found that rats fed GMO-derived corn developed tumors when compared to rats fed non-GMO corn. Genetically-modified corn is resistant to the herbicide Roundup. Can you guess who makes both genetically-modified corn and Roundup? The biotechnology giant Monsanto makes both. I posted a blog about this topic with pictures of the poor GMO- and Roundup- sickened rats. You can access that blog by clicking here: http://112.196.20.91/drbrownstein/support-labelling-for-genetically-modified-foods/.
Of course, all of the nonsense of retracting the article occurred after the journal’s editorial board hired an executive from Monsanto. I would say that I smell a rat here. (Well, maybe not a rat, since most of the rats become ill and died after ingesting Roundup-sprayed and GMO-derived corn.)
It is time we, the citizens, finally decide that we have had enough. Why shouldn’t our food be properly labeled? If GMO food is safe, then let people decide if they want to buy it–label it as such. It is time to contact the FDA and let them know how you feel. You can contact them here: http://www.fda.gov/AboutFDA/ContactFDA/default.htm
DrB
“Folks, the FDA does not work for us. It works for Big Pharma and other corporate interests such as the food industry.”
This is IMO the beginning of all health wisdom. Without this axiom we tend to make SERIOUS mistakes in our approach to health matters. However it is not JUST the FDA this applies to. Start with the Rockefeller clan controlled HHS and all its child agencies and you have the WHOLE of the Federal Government Health Apparatus working for someone ELSE other than we the people. We must remember that MOST of those working for these in effect evil agencies, are good decent people. This is just the way tyranny works. “Who loaded the holocaust trains?”
Please remember this when the “pandemic flu vaccine”, which is much more likely IMO to GIVE you the virus than it is to “protect” you FROM the man made virus, is MANDATED.
It’s very true that nearly all of our produce comes, either directly or indirectly, from genetically modified sources. However, while we may be quick to jump on sensational stories of tumor-ridden rats, it is important to remember what we get from it. With a population of 300 million, sustainable agriculture now depends on the narrow margin of profitability that GMOs provide. Essentially, it is the only feasible way to feed all of us.
As for the concerns of safety, I would like to politely remind everyone that correlation is NOT causation. We can see that the number of reported allergies has increased dramatically over the past 20 years. But that also correlates to air and water pollution, population densities, global warming, etc. If a new drug was given only to 90-year olds, would you say that because many of them died within 10 years it must have been the drug?
Regarding the study, I want to make something clear first, in anticipation of objections. I have no personal opinion on GMOs one way or the other. I believe that decent studies are sparse and long-term studies practically nonexistent. However, most of the GMO objections have remained the same for decades (see the “King Corn” movie). That doesn’t make me think “responsible Monsanto” on one hand or “government conspiracy” on the other. The study that was referenced in particular was not a convincing one. The article was not retracted because of collusion with Monsanto (the editor who used to work for them was not involved with the retraction). Rather, the experiment was simply sloppy. Not enough animals. Poor choice of strains. Actually, they even misspelled several items, which leads me to wonder why it was published in the first place.
The pictures are scary, but laboratory animals (rats in particular) get cancer quite frequently. Furthermore, the animals in the photos should never even have been allowed to live long enough for said tumors to get that large. It is cruel and inhumane, and not in accordance with IACUC.
GMOs may be harmful, but don’t believe everything you read.
I agree that all foods should be correctly labeled. So many things are hidden (natural flavoring) etc. that it is really hard to know exactly what is in the product. This makes it hard for allergies etc.
I doubt seriously that any amount of citizen noise will drown out the Big Pharma and BigAagra influence in DC.
What may work would be a website dedicated to identifying those products that incorporate GMO ingredients
and posting the findings for the world to see.
Additionally, those food suppliers that spurn such ingredients could also be listed so that shoppers may know
those products that are truly “natural” and those producers that are dedicated to healthier foods.
Then, my cynical side shows up and asks, “How long do you think the Big Boys would put up with such an
informative voice for public education?” The legal and legislative effort to shut down such a site would be sudden and massive.
You think GMOs are bad, look into High Fructose Corn Syrup. No mystery with HFCS, it is a poison.
But doctor, you said above in response to Tammy’s post, “The best way is to find labels where they actually state it is a non-GMO product. If the label does not state whether it is or is not a GMO food source, I would bet money that it is from a GMO food source.” So if we can be reasonably sure food that doesn’t have a label stating it’s non-GMO does, in fact, contain GMO, do we really need labeling to tell us that? With all the bad press regarding GMOs, I’m sure companies would JUMP at the chance to advertise their non-GMO products as such. Based on what you’re stating above, it seems the labeling issue isn’t even an issue anymore. Want to avoid GMOs? Look for a GMO-free label.
Sandy,
I think we need proper labeling. Then we have the information available to us.
DrB
Corn, soy, canola and sugar (and wheat) in any form, GMO or not, is bad for humans. Don’t eat it. Problem solved. You don’t need the approval of big government to protect yourself from a bad diet.
I am of course against FALSE labeling, but cannot join in the calls for mandatory labeling. Let the marketplace take care of the problem.
Those who support mandatory labeling support Big Government, which is a problem far worse than “GMO” foods.
JDL,
The marketplace will take care of it, IF the government allows proper labeling Right now, the FDA won’t allow proper labeling.
DrB
My former doctor didn’t test me for gluten issues, just said yeah, go on a gluten-free diet. In the beginning, I found it difficult to stick to a GF diet, and cheated regularly, until the side effects got so bad they scared me into behaving. Days of feeling like my lungs were being squeezed, and edema so bad the skin on my feet and ankles actually hurt, is great incentive to behave. So I gave it up entirely, but had to find replacements for the foods that caused me to ‘fall off the wagon.’
In that search, I found a non-GMO corn pasta. It’s made out of the country…and is really quite good. So maybe that’s the solution? Buy foods imported from countries that ban GMO products. I realize I can’t replace everything, but I sure can try.
How can we know if something is GMO or not???
Tammy,
It is not easy as the FDA will not allow proper labeling. The best way is to find labels where they actually state it is a non-GMO product. If the label does not state whether it is or is not a GMO food source, I would bet money that it is from a GMO food source. We need the FDA to allow proper labeling on all grains about the GMO status.
DrB
I saw a sign in whole foods market that said virtually all produce in the united states has been affected by genetically modified organisms. I buy organic but is it really organic.
Dear Shu,
You identified the problem! You can have organically raised GMO food products. That is one of the reasons why we need proper labeling of GMO food sources.
Orgnanic can still be organic even if it is a GMO food product.
DrB
Dr. Brownstein this is a great article. I very much appreciate all of your work and research. The GMO issue is something that has be resolved. Unfortunately, as most of our food supply turns to GMO crops, the more people will suffer from allergies and other ailments brought on by nutrient deficient soil and crops. I recently was doing research as part of a non-profit petition and education project, and read the reports about the tumors in rats. I was surprised to find out that even the FDA’s own scientists reported various concerns for GMO crops–the first commercial crop being the Flavr Savr tomato. Needless to say that after doing months of research, reading peer reviewed studies from scientists worldwide, learning that some scientist’s careers had been destroyed by presenting scientific data–I had nightmares. Unfortunately, the average consumer doesn’t understand the long-term implications on human health, as well as the health of animals, insects, and soil. Keep up the great work.
Dr. B. – I Salute you, Sir. Having you in my “Corner” means more to me than you will ever know. I have been on this “Campaign Trail” Longer than you would believe – Against Monsanto (Bill Gates) – Genensys – E.I. DuPont – and PepsiCo. Well, we all know that the “Little Guy” doesn’t win – he just dies. I am 75, and I ain’t done yet.
God Bless You, Sir!
and – Merry Christmas.
Ol’ Bill in Idaho
GMO corn is nasty. It wasn’t until about 1 year ago we realized my husbands allergy to corn was most likely initiated back in the 1980’s when GMO corn became part of the food chain.
Within 10 years he had developed severe eczema and we soon discovered it was from corn (had blood tests to find out what he was allergic to),
It took us another 10 years to discover that with so much GMO foods out there no wonder he and thousands of people, starting with children, are now afflicted with allergies to many foods. And it is getting worse.
Even though we are so careful to avoid foods and other household products that have corn derived by ingredients, it is getting harder to avoid. We eat as natural basic foods as possible (due to his corn allergy – packaged foods are all prohibitive) but we are thinking that there are more foods being genetically altered that are causing still more grief for him.
But then again, big Pharma and Agribusiness know, there is no money in Well people!