Thursday, October 06, 2011

Scraps and Snippets ~ GMO? Heck NO!

 


 


This Vegan MoFo participant wants to see GMO/GE foods labeled for what they are.  

What is GMO or GE food? Genetically Modified or Genetically Engineered food. These are food products that are manipulated to make the end result travel or hold up better, carry certain characteristics that make them survive longer on the shelves, etc. These items are tweaked and grown to be pest resistant or heartier than they would be without manipulation. 

This seems like a harmless idea. Right? Food that stays fresh longer, or that is resistant to things that want to steal our food from us. 

I'm not even going to go into all the details. What I am going to say is that I think we all should be able to see what's in the food we buy. That's all. If there are chemicals that I can't pronounce on the label but I choose to eat it, then that's my choice. But if items contained within are not listed, then I can't make an informed decision. 



I buy organic and local. That is a choice that comes with a price tag attached. I know that many others choose to not buy organic and local. That's their choice. 

This GMO/GE labeling issue is coming to a head. People are asking and demanding that these products be labeled. But the resistance has gone on for years. The food is still not being labeled. There is fear that labeling will bring death to the GE industry. Why would they fear that if there is nothing to be concerned about in their product? 
We all should  have the chance to see what is in what we are eating. Folks who eat fast food three plus times a day aren't likely to balk at an extra label since most of them understand that they are eating fast and cheap and that there is a price tag attached. After all, people still buy and smoke cigarettes, drink and drive and gamble in spite of warnings.

Warnings aren't going to turn off the customer base of those who don't care. But the ones who do, but don't know what they are truly getting in their boxes and bags at the grocery store and drive-thrus, have the right to chose, too.


If this subject concerns you, check out the following websites to read further. And if you agree, take the simple steps.


Stonyfield Farm BUZZ


Label My Food


Center for Food Safety