As the issue of labeling genetically modified organisms (GMOs) in food heats up in this country, it’s interesting to get some perspective on genetically modified crops in the rest of the world. As this map shows, the U.S. is by far the largest producer of genetically modified crops. For me, this means our government has decided to allow us to be guinea pigs while Monsanto, a multinational biotechnology corporation, makes a lot of money experimenting with its seeds. It’s important to note that the U.S. government and the FDA do not require anything that is genetically modified to be identified on ingredient lists. Genetically modified foods and products are in widespread use and distribution throughout the U.S.

Many countries including Egypt, China, Japan, Australia, United Kingdom, Spain, France and Italy have banned GMOs altogether, and the following states and regions in the U.S. have made strides to regulate GMOs in food:

· Maryland has banned genetically engineered (GE) fish
· North Dakota and Montana have filed bans on GE wheat
· The Municipalities of Burlington, Vermont declared a moratorium on GE food
· Boulder, Colorado bans GE crops
· City and County of San Francisco urged the federal government to ban GE food

And if you want to stay away from genetically modified food, be sure to buy organic versions of crops that are most commonly genetically modified in the U.S.: soy, cotton, canola, corn, Hawaiian papaya, zucchini and yellow squash, and Quest brand tobacco.

As always, awareness changes behavior, which is why it’s so important to require labeling for genetically engineered food. Mary’s Gone Crackers is all about CONSCIOUS EATING!

Thank you for reading!

–Mary
Founder, Mary’s Gone Crackers