On my blog, Non-Toxic Kids, I posted an article yesterday that shares some background about genetically modified foods, especially soy, and the environmental and health risks involved with eating and growing GM crops. You can read the full article here.

There was way to much information for just one post! So I decided to write here about how to avoid eating genetically modified foods. Which presents a challenge, since they are everywhere and in the majority of food in conventional grocery stores.

Thankfully, Greenpeace Canada has created an extensive, printable shopping list of companies that have no GM ingredients in their foods (happy face), companies that are working to eliminate GM foods from their products but aren’t there yet (neutral face), and companies that are most likely to contain GMO ingredients (sad face). This is a handy list, and I am thrilled to have found it and to share it with you here.

Notably, Morningstar Farms products are listed as having a high likelihood of containing genetically modified ingredients. I was already a bit skeptical of their products because they have a very long ingredient list (not a good sign for healthful eating) of hard to pronounce words. Missing from the soy/vegetarian product list was Boca Foods. I will call the company and post here (or over at Non-Toxic Kids) what I find out. I do love the “chicken” patties (anything with a breaded, crispy coating–) and want to know if they contain GMs.

I was thankful to see many of the brands I already buy regularly in the GM free column. Check out some of your favorite brands and see where they stand.

So how to do you avoid genetically modified ingredients and foods?

1. Eat organic food as much as possible, as it is not allowed to contain any GMs.

2. Download the Greenpeace Canada’s Guide to GMO free eating, and take it shopping with you.

3. Avoid Aspartme, it is a product of genetic engineering.

4. Rennet used to make cheese is often genetically engineered. To avoid this, buy dairy that is organic (I know! It is much more expensive).

5. Oils are often genetically modified (corn, canola and cottonseed). Unless it is labeled “No GMO” or organic, it is likely to be genetically altered.

6. Many meat and dairy products come from animals that have eaten GM feed. To avoid this, consume less conventional meat and dairy, and buy organic when possible.

7. According to Seeds of Deception, the crops most commonly genetically altered are soy, cotton, canola and corn. Other modified crops include some US zucchini and yellow squash, and Hawaiian papaya. So to be safe, buy the organic versions of these items.

This list is by no means exhaustive, but it is a good start. Do you have more ideas about this? Add them in a comment and let’s all benefit from the discussion.

I am thrilled to be joining the Eco Child’s Play writing team! I do hope you find my articles helpful, informative and interesting as we all navigate the challenging and ever changing journey of raising kids in our current world.

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