What GMO Ingredients Should You Avoid?

When buying foods at the supermarket, it is important to read the labels for any ingredients that may be GMO-derived. This can be challenging, but the Non-GMO Project’s shopping guide helps to identify foods that do not contain GMOs.

The most common types of GMO crops are corn and soy. These are the two most commonly planted crops in the U.S. and are also the ones most likely to be found in processed foods. In fact, it is estimated that more than 75 percent of processed foods are made from these crops.

As these crops are more resistant to herbicides, the chemicals that are sprayed on them can end up in food. For example, glyphosate is used to grow canola plants. While canola is generally safe, it is not a good idea to consume foods that are derived from GMO-based crops.

Choosing a whole food diet is the best way to avoid GMOs. Look for foods that are certified organic or non-GMO. You can also avoid these foods by growing your own. Buying direct from a farmer is also a great option.

If you are trying to avoid GMOs, you should avoid these three ingredients: corn, soy, and canola. Corn is an at-risk ingredient since it is one of the most common genetically engineered crops in the United States. Almost all corn is genetically modified, so you are almost guaranteed to find it in processed foods. Likewise, soy is another at-risk ingredient, and you can easily find it in a variety of foods.

Sugar beets are another at-risk ingredient, and you can find them in a number of products. Some of these include diet sodas, sugar-free gum, and NutraSweet. However, you should avoid foods that contain GM beet sugar. Soy lecithin is also a GMO-derived sweetener. To avoid these, look for foods that are organic or made from beets that haven’t been genetically modified.

Meat and dairy are less likely to contain GMOs. Grass-fed animals are a safer option than farmed animals. But some farmers inject their cows with genetically engineered hormones. Additionally, some milk and milk products are made from cows that have been fed a diet containing GM alfalfa.

Other at-risk ingredients include canola oil, cottonseed oil, and soybeans. Most of these oils are derived from GMO-based crops, and they are used in cooking and shortening. Cottonseed oil is the main ingredient in vegetable oil. And corn syrup is also made from a GMO crop.

There are also a number of highly refined ingredients, such as aspartame, which are supposedly made from a genetically engineered microorganism. Those claiming that these are made from bioengineered sources often claim that the genetic material is present in the final product, even though the manufacturing process removes it. Despite this, many companies add aspartame to their products. It is not uncommon to find products with aspartame, such as Equal and NutraSweet.

To ensure that you are purchasing GMO-free foods, you can look for the Non-GMO Project’s seal. The Non-GMO Project is a nonprofit organization that certifies grocery retailers and helps consumers identify foods that are not genetically modified. The organization uses a third-party technical administrator to evaluate products for compliance with labeling rules.