Retailers Hold the Key to Kicking GMOs Out of Our Food

Manufacturers such as Nestle and Kraft don't use genetically engineered ingredients in products destined for European stores. Strict laws on GMOs and myriad protests when the technology was first introduced sent a pretty clear message to companies...

July 1, 2011 | Source: Organic Connections | by Kelsey Blackwell

For related articles and more information, please visit OCA’s Genetic Engineering page, Millions Against Monsanto page.

Manufacturers such as Nestle and Kraft don’t use genetically engineered ingredients in products destined for European stores. Strict laws on GMOs and myriad protests when the technology was first introduced sent a pretty clear message to companies early on-“no crap in our food, please.” The billions of pounds of GE corn, soy and canola produced yearly are instead reserved for shoppers everywhere else-including the U.S. While European consumers won’t stand for this junk in their food, (so far) we will, and since GE ingredients are often cheaper (thanks, subsidies) there’s no reason for food companies to bother with EU formulations in all products.

Because most countries haven’t mobilized against GMOs, the bioengineered foods business continues to boom. Monsanto, the St. Louis, Missouri-based agricultural giant that owns most genetically modified seeds, grew its net income by 77 percent to $680 million in the third quarter according to an earnings report released by the company this week.

What would it take to slow Monsanto’s roll and kick GMOs out of the U.S. food system? We certainly can’t count on the U.S. Department of Agriculture or the Food and Drug Administration to take a stand against genetic modification since biotech supporters are embedded in these government organizations. Even seemingly philanthropic Bill Gates has been duped by Monsanto’s claim that GE crops can solve world hunger.  It’s up to us, and in many ways, up to retailers to clear up confusion and incite change.