The Non-GMO Movement Makes Me Happy!

During your recent shopping visits, you may have noticed many products on the shelves that are labeled "Non-GMO Verified." This important project is the initiative of the non-profit Non-GMO Project organization. It is North America’s only third party verification and labeling system for non-GMO (genetically modified organism) food and products.

GMO products are organisms that have been altered from their natural state through an engineering process that consists of trying different combinations of plant, animal, bacteria and viral genes to create new products for different purposes.

Almost 90% of all corn and soybeans produced in the United States have been genetically modified. The Non-GMO Project lists a number of ingredients on its website that we regularly see in the products we purchase every single day.

Common Ingredients Derived from GMO Risk Crops
Amino Acids, Aspartame, Ascorbic Acid, Sodium Ascorbate, Vitamin C, Citric Acid, Sodium Citrate, Ethanol, Flavorings (“natural” and “artificial”), High-Fructose Corn Syrup, Hydrolyzed Vegetable Protein, Lactic Acid, Maltodextrins, Molasses, Monosodium Glutamate, Sucrose, Textured Vegetable Protein (TVP), Xanthan Gum, Vitamins, Yeast Products.

Because the side effects and dangers of GMOs are not yet known,  over 60 countries around the world have significant restrictions or outright bans on the production and sale of GMOs. However, in the U.S., the government has approved GMOs based on studies conducted by the same corporations that benefits from the sale of GMO products.

My question is, If Australia, Japan, and all of the countries in the European Union have banned or placed restrictions on GMOs, then why haven't we? Although polls show that over 90% of Americans would like mandatory labeling of products containing GMOs, the law has yet to pass.