How to tell if fruits are gmo

Genetically modified foods (GMOs) have been around for two decades, but currenly, they’re the subject of intense debate about whether or not they’re good for us and our planet. Labeling isn’t yet mandated, but the National Bioengineered Food Law will require federal labeling laws by the middle of 2018. In the meantime, we’re gonna let you in on a trick for figuring out which food at the grocery store has been genetically modified. It comes to us care of David Friedman, ND, doctor of naturopathy, board certified in alternative medicine and integrative medicine, and author of Food Sanity: How to Eat I a World of Fads and Fiction.

The secret

You’ll find a sticker on all grocery store produce, Dr. Friedman tells Reader’s Digest. The sticker is known as a “PLU.” Here’s how to crack its numerical code:

• Organic produce has a five-digit code beginning with “9.”
• Conventionally grown produce has a four-digit code.
• GMO produce begins with “8.”

Unfortunately, with labeling laws in flux, many growers omit the first digit, leaving consumers scratching their heads. But for now, only corn, soybeans, potatoes, squash, papayas, apples, alfalfa, and sugar beets have been approved by the USDA to be genetically modified and are currently being grown, according to the Genetic Literacy Project.

Other clues

If you find yourself staring down the business end of a four-digit PLU, you can look for the “USDA Certified Organic” or “Non-GMO Project’s Product Verification” labels, neither of which can be used unless the food is GMO-free. If you don’t see a five-digit PLU beginning “9,” assume it’s GMO. Because 90 percent of all soybean and corn grown in the US is GMO, most foods containing corn or soybean, or any derivative thereof, is GMO. Other popular GMO ingredients include sugar, aspartame, canola oil, dairy, and canola.

Don’t be fooled. Until the labeling regulations are finalized, labels bearing these terms could mean anything or nothing.

What’s wrong with GMOs?

“Most GMOs are herbicide tolerant and resistant to infestation and disease,” Dr. Friedman explains. That means farmers can more liberally use herbicides and pesticides, and those toxins end up in our food, and studies indicate serious health risks may be associated with GMO consumption (including infertility, accelerated aging, and liver dysfunction).

Originally Published: February 27, 2018

Even though consumers have repeatedly stated they don’t want GMOs in their foods, a lot of produce in the supermarket today is still genetically modified.

As in 2016 the law obligates food manufacturers to give consumers information on the GMOs in their products, but they are not obligated to do so in the package. It’s up to consumers who support on-package labels to hold companies accountable for what they use in their products.

There are several ways to identify if a food has GMO’s.

1. Be assured that no food with the USDA Organic or the Non-GMO Project Verified seal contains more than 0.9% GMOs. 

The organic certificacion covers how a food is grown, not the content of the food itself. So there might be cross pollination and cross contamination in processing and handling organic products. Buy food labeled “100% Organic”. The U.S. law prohibits genetically engineered foods or ingredients. 

The Non-GMO Project is an independent testing. This logo means that GMO contamination has been avoided throughout the growth and harvesting of crops, their processing, storage and packaging. 

1. Eat locally grown food. You are more likely to find non-GMO produce grown by small local farms in your sunday farmers market plus you can call or chat with them directly and ask about their own processes and harvesting. 

1. Know the numbers. Here’s an easy way to identify how produce is made by reading the sticker number:

• 4-digit number means: food was conventionally grown
• 5-digit number that begins with a 9: produce is organic
• 5-digit number that begins with a 8: produce is genetically modified

The truth is that there’s no need to worry about most fruit and vegetables, but keep an eye on their derivatives:

Foods and their derivatives that are most likely genetically modified:

• Corn and soy products are the major GMO crops in the U.S.

If your label says it contains soy, then it contains GMO. You have to make sure that the labeling states that your derivative soy product is organic.

With the exception of popcorn, corn is often heavily modified. Best to look for 100% organic labels. Derivatives may include baking mixes, corn cereal, granola bars, tortillas, tortilla chips, soy-based infant formulas, soy milk and veggie burgers. 

• Virtually all canola oil is from genetically engineered crops. 

• For dairy products always buy organic to avoid GMOs and pesticides.

• Beet sugar is one to avoid. Bread, cereal, soups and yogurt come from sugar beets and 99% of them are genetically modified. Is best to look for products with evaporated cane sugar, organic sugar or cane sugar.

You can also find Non-GMO labels in products that are never genetically modified like canned goods, chicken, or eggs. This can often be a marketing strategy or could mean that there are no GMOs in the animal’s feed. 

If you like a particular product, but it has no label, check the ingredients list. If the product doesn’t contain canola, corn, soy or sugar, it most certainly does not have GMO’s.

Now you are ready to go to your local supermarket and get that fresh non-GMO product for you and your family.