New Leaf Community Markets are full-service natural food stores specializing in local and organic products.

Understanding GMOs

What are GMOs?
GMOs (or “genetically modified organisms”) are organisms that have been created through the gene-splicing techniques of biotechnology (also called genetic engineering, or GE). This relatively new science allows DNA from one species to be injected into another species in a laboratory, creating
combinations of plant, animal, bacteria, and viral genes that do not occur in nature or through traditional crossbreeding methods.

Which foods might be GMO?
The following crops carry risk of being genetically modified, because GMO varieties are commercially produced in North America and certain other parts of the world, or because there are known instances of contamination: Alfalfa, Canola, Corn, Cotton, Flax, Papaya, Rice, Soy, Sugar, Beets, Zucchini and Yellow Summer Squash.
Ingredients derived from these risk crops include (but are not limited to): Amino Acids, Aspartame, Ascorbic Acid, Sodium Ascorbate, Vitamin C, Citric Acid, Sodium Citrate, Ethanol,  Flavorings (natural and artificial), Hydrolized Vegetable Protein, Lactic Acid, Maltodextrins, Microbial growth media, Molasses, Monosodium Glutamate, Sucrose, Textured Vegetable Protein (TVP), Xanthan Gum, Vitamins, and Yeast products.

How common are GMOs?
According to the USDA, in 2009, 93% of soy, 93% of cotton, and 86% of corn grown in the U.S. were GMO. It is estimated that over 90% of canola grown is GMO.

What is the NON GMO Project and what does it do?
The Non-GMO Project is an initiative of the North American organic and natural product industry to create a standardized definition of non-GMO and a 3rd party verification program to assess product compliance with this standard. The Project’s Product Verification Program is entirely voluntary, and participants are companies who see the value of offering their customers a verified non-GMO choice.

The Non-GMO Seal
To help shop GMO-free, look for this seal from the Non-GMO Project. The seal verifies that a product has been produced
according to rigorous best practices for GMO avoidance, including testing of risk ingredients. It is not a guarantee that the product is 100% GMO free but it does indicate that the ingredients are below 0.9% GMO.
 
Printable Version    E-mail a Friend
 
Back Back