I am currently skimming Jillian Michael’s newest book because, well, I have a bit of a girl crush on her and I saw it at the library. One thing I learned while reading it on the bus this morning was the breakdown on the numeric codes found on fruit stickers. The key is that the last 4 digits identify the item itself, if you preface that with a 9 the item is organic and if it starts with an 8 it is Genetically Modified (GMO).
So then I started wondering whether this is actually useful information, so I put it to the test, after reading this I dropped by the supermarket to pick up some apples on my way to work. Over one section of apples there was a large Organic sign. However on closer inspection the apples in that bin weren’t organic at all. I walked up and down looking at all the apples and the bin of organics was at the other end. Weird how that worked out, but seriously, who knew. (I like to buy oragnic apples since they are in the evil pesticide top ten.)
The other thing that struck me was the three high level categories chosen: regular, organic and GMO. Are there really that many GMO fruits and veggies we eat? I really don’t know much about GMO at all, and nothing from a Health perspective. Does anyone have any knowledge or opinions on genetic modification of everyday produce? I have read the Omnivore’s Dilemma so I know that most corn and soy crops are severely modified and that is a politically charged issue, but what about more everyday consumable items? Does anyone know or have any opinions on this?
{ 5 comments… read them below or add one }
i like jillian too, i am doing her 30 day shred to firm up and i am loving it.
GMO are in almost everything we eat, its really sad. Like you said because of the corn and soy that is so over modified. Those two products are almost in all the foods that we eat or the fertilizers that are on the foods.
Sadly, it’s an urban legend that produce codes can tell you when foods are GMOs, see shopping tips to avoid GMO food at http://cli.gs/rEXdWW
Courtney – Jillian rocks, obviously! That follows that if corn is in everything (which it is) then GMOs are too.. certainly anything processed.
CMargulis – I am totally shocked! Well.. mayeb not shocked but that site is really interesting.
The quote I pulled about how to shop for non-GMO food:
“Despite ongoing rumors that GMO foods can be detected by produce stickers starting with the number 8, in fact no such stickers have been verified. As Marion Nestle said about the labels in ‘What to Eat,’ ‘I have never been able to find one.’ Instead, she reports finding a label starting with 8 on non-GMO melons, and finding several GMO papayas with labels starting with a 4″
…greatttt
I’m having a very eye-opening experience with sugar beets right now. After the U.S. govt approved Monsanto’s genetically modified beet seed last year it seems that it’s now virtually impossible to get non-GMO sugar.
Makes me rethink eating all together.
Robin – how can you tell?
(Just bleached white sugar, brown sugar, sucanat?)