Time goes by so very quickly it often seems amazing that so many topics I have written or taught about for more than a decade are being written about as if they were new concepts. Genetic modification of food (GMO) is one of those topics. I am glad to see more awareness but I still feel as if not enough people clearly understand this issue.
First of all, it has been clearly established that GMO foods cannot feed the multitudes, regardless of what the media is reporting. We do know, however, that using specific herbicides and pesticides in commercial agriculture has, during this time, led to failed crops, over growth of weeds, and what perhaps is one of the largest cover-ups in agriculture.
As I write this I think how the FDA plans to review whether or not to allow GMO fish for human consumption. If this isn’t bad enough, because we know farm-raised fish will raise cholesterol levels and is often found to be contaminated with killer chemicals, we are also in the ‘no label zone’.
Imagine not knowing what your food is, or what is in it, or how it is fed as it is grown. This is a tough one for me because I was raised on farm fresh food from the Amish in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania and South Jersey shore truck farms in the summer.
This past week I was in town, a 40-mile (64km) one-way drive from my rural home. I shop in a supermarket that does not have loyalty cards and has a health-oriented food section. I was walking down the aisles looking to see if there were items I needed, finding just a few. The new manager stopped to ask if I needed help and I mentioned I had been around the natural market place since the 1950s.
We were on the aisle with what used to be a great brand, Walnut Acres. Since I grew up in Pennsylvania, I knew Walnut Acres from the time when it was not corporate owned. I mentioned it wasn’t the same quality today. Annie’s was also on the same row and I explained that most of the dressings were made with canola oil; a liver toxic oil, and I told him too that I had just learned that Annie’s macaroni and cheese now had a GMO ingredient. I noticed he had to get back to work, so as he walked away I also mentioned that it was disappointing that there were so few products I buy, even from the health food store, because of corporate ownership.
So, if you are new to the food issues of today, I suggest you do every thing you can to get educated and learn how to be more discerning in what food you buy for yourself and your family. I also suggest that you learn more about the flood of genetically modified food and food ingredients that are in the supermarkets.
Soy oil, canola oil, and so many other ingredients are largely GMO sourced, and it is difficult to add time to shopping to allow for label reading. But, you must read labels. Your health depends on it.
Gayle Eversole, DHom, PhD, MH, NP, ND, is a natural health educator and advocate. She is the founder and director of Creating Health Institute and The Oake Centre for Natural Health Education. Celebrating 50+ years blending science and the natural healing arts. Sign up for her herbalYoda newsletter.
This article is for educational and informational purposes only and does not take the place of a consultation with a qualified health care professional. Always consult a physician or other qualified health care professional before taking any herbs or applying any therapies. The reader must assume full responsibility for verifying any information or therapies with a qualified physician or health care professional.
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