Non-GMO Shopping Guide…And When You Dine Out
Welcome! This is your one-stop-shop on how to eat non-GMO, what a non-GMO label means, the differences between non-GMO & organic, and how to avoid GMOs even when there’s no label, and when you dine out.
General Guidelines: Avoid GMOs and Roundup Sprayed Food
We have identified many reasons why GMO foods are unhealthy. However, it’s important to understand that our recommendation is not simply to eat non-GMO. We’ve been tracking the negative effects of Roundup which are substantial, and Roundup is sprayed on many GMO and non-GMO plants around the world (see our list). Therefore, to avoid both GMOs and Roundup (and other toxic synthetic pesticides), we recommend organic. The use of Roundup is not allowed in products with the USDA Organic Certification. However, if you cannot get organic, at least buy non-GMO by looking for the butterfly. (Read more below).
Unfortunately, many GMO foods (particularly 6 of them) are throughout the food supply in processed foods. So, if you’re trying to avoid GMOs and it doesn’t say non-GMO Verified or organic, then we provide some resources to help you identify which ingredients you can avoid because they may be or are likely GMO. We have 2 different versions, a simple list (easy) and also the most comprehensive list ever produced (ridiculously in-depth) through our friend Chef Alain Braux.
In order to avoid GMOs, you must know what’s being modified. Find out what crops are currently genetically modified.
When you dine out, we offer tips to avoid the most at-risk ingredients.
Non-GMO Claims Can Mean Different Things
There is a wide range from self-verification to third party verification. So, when you see a claim of “non-GMO” on a package, it may mean different things on different products. There is no standard, there is no universal definition that everyone complies with. Some companies will self-certify and not even mention or allow us to determine what their criteria are.
The producer may not require any testing or their testing may be lax or simply tests the final product for GMO DNA. We reject this completely because we want “non-GMO” to mean that no GM ingredients were used, even if they have been processed to the point where they cannot be detected in the final product. Also, some companies will use “non-GMO” even though they are feeding the animals for meat or eggs GMO feed.
We should not trust the disgusting, despicable and horrific USDA-style of declaring products as GMO or non-GMO. The USDA GMO labeling policy is ridiculously incompetent and pro-GMO (BE meaning Buy Elsewhere).
IRT recommends the Non-GMO Project label, a third-party published standard requiring document review and testing when ingredients are at risk of being GMO. To find Non-GMO Project Verified products, look for the butterfly.
Non-GMO Project Verified Products
Choose from one of many categories (listed below) to go to the Non-GMO Project’s website to find out how many products or how many millions of dollars worth of products are using this logo. If you see other certifications, you can recommend those companies become Non-GMO Project Verified, which holds the highest standard in this arena. Products listed have been verified as compliant with the Non-GMO Project Standard.
Note: Due to production schedules and inventory back stock, there may be a product in circulation that has been produced prior to a product achieving Verification. Please look for the Non-GMO Project seal on packaging to ensure that the product you are purchasing is Non-GMO Project Verified. The Non-GMO Project makes no representations or warranties regarding the accuracy of data posted on third party websites.
