What is a GMO?

• A genetically modified organism (GMO) is any

living organism that possesses a novel
combination of genetic material obtained
through the use of modern biotechnology.
Fact or Fiction?
 Fact or Fiction?
GMOs are created by injecting chemicals
into food AFTER it is harvested.

Fiction
GMOs are developed through genetic engineering where scientists identify
and insert specific traits into the DNA of the seed before it is ever planted.
The plant grows just like conventional (non-GMO) seeds. The transgenic
trait is then transferred to other varieties through traditional cross-breeding.

See “The Life of a Seed-Jake, a GMO Seed

 Fact or Fiction?
After a GMO is developed, it is thoroughly evaluated by the
USDA, FDA, and EPA to identify unintended consequences
to the environment or to our health if consumed.

Fact
It takes many years for a GMO to be approved first for
field testing and second for commercial production.
 Fact or Fiction?
GMOs have bombarded the produce section
of the grocery store. It is difficult to avoid
GMO fruits and vegetables.

Fiction
There are only 10 approved varieties of GMO plants. Of
those crops, 5 could be found in the produce section. They
are sweet corn, papaya, potatoes, squash, and the Arctic
Apple. (The arctic apple won’t be available on store shelves for a few more years)
 Fact or Fiction?
The bulk of GM crops that are harvested in
the US are for the use of livestock feed.

Fact
GM field Corn, Alfalfa, Soybeans, and the by-products of
sugar beets and cotton harvested in the United States are
all used to feed livestock.
 Fact or Fiction?
If I purchase food labeled with the USDA
Organic seal, I know these products did not
grow from a GM seed.

Fact
In addition to other growth and production requirements,
foods with the “Organic” seal were not grown from GM
seeds.
 Fact or Fiction?
Using GM crop varieties in every country
would be beneficial.

Fiction
Many third world countries do not have the technology and
resources to utilize the benefits of GM crops. For example, if a
farmer in another country does not have access to herbicides,
using herbicide tolerant crops would not be beneficial.
 Fact or Fiction?
Health studies about the safety of consuming
GM crops are less than 20 years old.

Fact
GM crops have only been in production since 1996. While
studies have shown they are safe, their scope is limited to
the amount of time they have been in production and use.
 Fact or Fiction?
GMOs are NOT directly linked to being a
cause for cancer.

Fact
GM crop varieties pose no greater risk of increasing the
risk of cancer than their conventional counterparts.
A decade of EU-funded GMO Research
Compilation of Research on GM Crops
 Fact or Fiction?
Studies show that GMOs are linked to an
increase in allergies.

Fiction
90% of all allergies are caused by peanuts, tree nuts, milk,
eggs, wheat, soy, shellfish, and fish. To date, only soy
even has a GM variety. See more explanation:
Are GMOs causing an increase in allergies?
 Fact or Fiction?
GMOs are contributing to the death of
butterflies.

Fiction
Butterflies would need to eat the Bt found in GM crops to
have it kill them. Butterflies are not pests, and therefore do
not feed on the actual plants.
Dominic Reisig, North Carolina State University
 Fact or Fiction?
There aren’t any known environmental risks
to producing and growing GM crops.

Fiction
Potential environmental risks are known, which leads to monitoring
and testing before approval of a new GM crop. Scientists monitor
GM crops to watch for unintended consequences that could be seen
long term such as herbicide tolerance, biodiversity concerns, and
effect on non-target organisms.
 Other items of note…
• 89% of corn grown in the US is produced from
seed varieties developed through genetically
modified technologies
• As the use of genetically engineered crops has
risen, the use of insecticides has decreased
• As the use of genetically engineered crops has
risen, the use of herbicides as increased
What do these labels mean to you?
 Have you seen these labels?

Are there any food labels that could

be misleading or meaningless?
 Make 2 piles of cards

True non-GMO Misleading non-GMO

Food Labels Food Labels
“Imposters”
Crops that have been genetically modified:

• Alfalfa
• Canola
• Corn (field and sweet)
• Cotton
• Papaya
• Potatoes
• Soybeans
• Squash
• Sugar Beets
• Granny Smith Apple
 Piles
Could be GMO NOT GMO

Soymilk 2% milk
Cinnamon Crunch (sugar beet) Graham crackers
Rice Milk (Canola Oil) Clementines
Wheat bread (sugar and soybean oil) Yogurt
Pita bread (sugar, canola, soybean) Mango
Margarine(canola and soybean) Baby food
Flaxseed
Rye
Wheat flour
Sweetner
Sugar(it says CANE sugar)
OJ
Tea
Coffee
Rice
OJ
Sour Cream
Cottage Cheese
GMO Crop Table
 GMOs are: GMOs are NOT:
• Plants with one or • Plants that were
more genetic improved through
characteristics that artificial selection
were inserted into processes like cross
the genome using breeding,
biotechnology. hybridization, or
mutagenesis.
 Papaya’s?
• How are GMO’s made?
 Growing a GMO Crop
• Desired traits can be fairly
quickly identified. (<10 years) • Desired
• Plants can become
genetically resistant to
disease or pests.
• Scientists can find a
single specific trait and
insert it into the DNA.
Growing a non-GMO Crop
• Desired traits can be
traits identified. It may take a
can be significant amount of time
identified and (decades) to find.
perpetuated.
• Disease and pests are
• Life cycle and growth controlled with chemicals
of plant is equivalent. or other cultivation
practices.
• Safety and
• Desired traits cannot be
nutrition of plant
perpetuated individually.
is equal.
 GMO Regulation Process
• It takes many years for a new GM crop to be
developed, tested, and finally approved for
commercial release.
• Prior to the release of a new GM crop it is
tested and monitored by three primary
agencies in the United States.
– Food and Drug Administration
– United States Department of Agriculture
– Environmental Protection Agency
 Food and Drug Administration
• FDA regulates the safety of food for humans
and animals, including foods produced from
genetically engineered (GE) plants.
• Foods from GE plants must meet the same
food safety requirements as foods derived
from traditionally bred plants.
United States Department of Agriculture

• The USDA, EPA, and FDA work to ensure

that crops produced through genetic
engineering for commercial use are properly
tested and studied to make sure they pose no
significant risk to consumers or the
environment.
Environmental Protection Agency
• The EPA focuses on reviewing environmental
impacts of a GE crop prior to field testing and
the commercial release of the seed.
• They ensure there are no unintended
consequences to honeybees, other beneficial
insects, earthworms, fish, or the environment
in general.
• They also look for any impact they may have
on other crops.
 Amy’s
• What Does the Organic Label Really Mean?
 100 %Organic
• Products labeled as “100% organic” must contain only organically produced
ingredients and processing aids, excluding water and salt. No other ingredients or
additives are permitted.
• Products labeled “organic” must contain at least 95% organically produced
ingredients (excluding water and salt). Any remaining ingredients must consist of
non-agricultural substances that appear on the NOP National List of Allowed and
Prohibited Substances. The full list of substances is available on the
USDA NOP website.
• Products meeting either of these labeling requirements may display these phrases, as
well as the percentage of organic content, on the product’s principal display panel.
• Organic products bearing either of these labels must be grown, handled and
processed without the use of pesticides or other synthetic chemicals, irradiation,
fertilizers made with synthetic ingredients or bioengineering. The USDA seal and the
seal or mark of the organic certifying agent(s) may appear on product packages and
in advertisements.
 Organic
• The product was produced using only organic
methods and contains a minimum of 95% organic
ingredients. The other 5% of ingredients must be
non-GMO and included on the National List (link)
of non-organic ingredients permitted in certified
organic agriculture and processing. These products
may also carry the USDA Organic Seal on the front
panel if they wish. The majority of organic items
found in stores today fall within this category.
 Products Labeled as “Made with Organic _______”

• Processed products that contain at least 70% organic ingredients may state
“made with organic (insert up to three ingredients, food groups, or
combination of ingredient and food groups)” on the principal display panel.
For example, a soup made with at least 70% organic ingredients and only
organic vegetables may claim “soup made with organic peas, potatoes and
carrots” or “soup made with organic vegetables.” Organic ingredients must
be identified on the information panel (e.g. “organic carrots”) or via an
asterisk or other mark.
• Similar to other organic products, processed products labeled “made with
organic _______” cannot be produced using any processes prohibited by the
NOP. The percentage of organic content and the certifying agent’s mark may
be used on the principal display panel. However, the USDA organic seal
cannot be used anywhere on the package.
Processed Products Containing Organic Ingredients

Processed products containing less than 70%

organic ingredients cannot use the term
“organic” anywhere on the principal display
panel. They are permitted to identify specific
ingredients that are organically produced on the
ingredients statement on the information panel.
 Other Organic Food Label Claims

The NOP does not have any restrictions

regarding the use of other truthful labeling
claims such as “no drugs or growth hormones
used,” “free range” or “sustainably harvested.”
While claims of being gluten-free or kosher may
also be on the labels of some organic products,
these claims are separate from any claims of
organic certification noted on the label.
 2019
Dirty Dozen List – Buy Organic
• Strawberries
• Spinach
• Kale
• Nectarines
• Apples
• Grapes
• Peaches
• Cherries
• Pears
• Tomatoes
• Celery
• Potatoes
 2019 Clean Fifteen- Save your money
• Avocados
• Sweet corn
• Pineapples
• Sweet peas, frozen
• Onions
• Papayas
• Eggplants
• Asparagus
• Kiwis
• Cabbages
• Cauliflower
• Cantaloupes
• Broccoli
• Mushrooms
• Honeydew melons
 Runner Ups
• Lettuce
• Cucumbers
• Blueberries
• Hot peppers
• Plums
• Greenbeans
• Tangerines
• Raspberries
• Grapefruit
• Winter squash
• Snap peas
• Carrots