What do we do now about GMOs? (Part II)

Wow, this conversation about what to do next about GMOs is really buzzing! In my prior post, I covered what I think are the key strategies and my favorite groups. Read that first! 

Then in this post I've gathered some more good action ideas and resources. There are lots of things we can do, so just skim to see what's of interest to you!

                                                                                                                                              

1)  A new group called "GMO Inside" is aiming to build on the work of Prop. 37 to help consumers know about and act on GMOs in their food. Read "New "GMO Inside" Campaign Denounces Corporate Disinformation Campaign That Defeated California's Prop 37." www.sacbee.com/2012/11/08/4970781/new-gmo-inside-campaign-denounces.html Then connect to the group at www.facebook.com/GmoInside and www.gmoinside.org.

                                                                                                                                              

2) Here's another easy action: Sign this petition to call on the U.S. Dept of Justice to prosecute the Prop. 37 opposition for fraudulently using the FDA name to bolster its claims. www.change.org/petitions/lanny-breuer-assistant-attorney-general-of-the-usdoj-criminal-division-prosecute-the-no-on-37-committee-for-violation-of-federal-law

I wrote this comment on the petition: "The federal government must prevent the use of its name and credibility to corrupt the citizens' legal and democratic decision-making process. How many people were persuaded by this total lie to vote in a way that was contrary to how they otherwise would've voted and against their true self-interest? The proposition opponents told a shocking number of lies, to paint a picture of the proposition that was quite different than the facts. There need to be consequences to this blatant disregard for the truth, if we want fairness and truth to have a chance in this world."

                                                                                                                                              

3) Consider supporting the campaign to get labeling in Washington State. See www.labelitwa.org. The idea with state campaigns is to help build the momentum to support national labeling, since the national campaign has been so challenging.  

Note: San Juan County in Washington state just banned growing GMOs. See www.examiner.com/article/san-juan-county-bans-the-growing-of-gmos

                                                                                                                                              

4) My prior post gave a link to my prior articles about GMOs, where I give lots of further info and resources on GMOs. But one I want to highlight here is this summary of GMO Myths and Truths, which I find especially useful. It's vital that we all know the facts to address the lies, and share those with others! www.earthopensource.org/files/pdfs/GMO_Myths_and_Truths/GMO_Myths_and_Truths_1.3a.pdf

                                                                                                                                              

5) I'm also seeing people give their recommendations about what companies to boycott as a result of what happened with Prop. 37.  

a) I totally support the boycotting of the mainstream food corporations that helped fund No on 37. Maybe even tell them that you are and why! Here's a good graphic that shows the big spenders in this category. http://theroadnotprocessed.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/524325_10151190853394388_626205196_n.jpg

b) However, some people are calling for boycotts of organic companies that people SAY supported the anti-37 campaign but actually DID NOT. The confusion happens because long-standing organic companies that still have that commitment have been bought by larger corporations with a broader range of products. When the parent corporation gave money to No on 37, some folks blame the organic branch as if they had donated! This is happening for instance with Silk and Horizon who did NOT donate to Prop. 37, but their parent company Dean Foods did. 

c) I don't think it's fair that these organic groups be punished for something they didn't do. They should be appreciated for maintaining their organic stand. They are allies! And, in their positions, they might even be able to persuade their parent companies of our better ways. 

* Therefore, I don't think we should forward any "boycott" list that includes names like Silk, Horizon, Larabar, etc. As soon as I see those names, I know the list is FALSE.

d) And yes the independent organic companies that came out strongly for Prop. 37 should get our support first. Here's a good image for that group. http://inspirationgreen.com/assets/images/Food%20blog%202010/prop37-poster3.jpeg 

e) And I still think that buying organic is the quickest way to avoid and support GMOs. Organic folks are not doing GMOs by definition! That's a much simpler message to me than trying to encourage folks to remember all these particular companies.

                                                                                                                                             

6) Liz Kroboth offered some more targeted actions folks can do. Good ideas!

"1. Help [Washington State] in their ballot initiative process! [See item on this above.] Draft letters to the editor warning of the incoming deluge of money from Monsanto, help them call new volunteers, create sharable graphics and videos, donate/fundraise, give suggestions and advice based on our experience. 

"2. Educate locally. Hold workshops on how to avoid GMOs, put up simple posters like "Most soy, corn, sugar, and canola oil are GMOs. Find out more at nongmoshoppingguide.com. Talk to friends and family about what foods have GMOs and what the possible health effects are. Have a movie night and show Genetic Roulette or Future of Food.

"3. Demand Non-GMO. Ask restaurants what oils they cook with and ask them to use organic oils or a non-GMO option like olive or safflower oil. Ask them to use non-GMO tofu and corn as well. Write local food producers and ask them if they use GMOs. 

"4. Vote with your dollar. If a product likely contains GMOs, just don't buy it! Reward the companies that are organic, non-GMO verified, or at least claim to be non-GMO.

"5. Participate in broad efforts like GMO Free USA and a letter-writing campaign to the White House." [Here are the links for GMO FREE USA - www.gmofreeusa.org and www.facebook.com/GMOFreeUSA.]

                                                                                                                                             

7) Here's a good list of what's probably GMOd in processed food. I think it's unrealistic for most people to try to shop from a list like this. What I hope instead is that it shows you just how pervasive these ingredients are, and how difficult to identify by the average consumer. 

This demonstrates why GMO labeling is so vital to reach most mainstream consumers, who usually have no idea that they're already eating GMOs. 

And that's also why I'm grateful that we have simple answers like "buy organic." Plus organic helps us avoid toxics in our food and bodies, and support a healthier food and future for all. Let's not take it for granted. It only exists because idealists have worked hard and taken lots of risks for our shared benefit!

Note: This list was circulated without an original source, but it looks like the information I've come to know. I welcome any updated information folks might have. Or an online version of this that I can just link to here.

FOODS THAT ARE PROBABLY GMO'D.

* Any non-organic corn, soy, canola, or cottonseed. 

* Most non-organic animal products (meat, dairy, eggs) probably came from animals that were fed food with GMOd ingredients!

* Much of the non-organic sugar in the US is made from GMO sugar beets, including brown sugar.

* Here is a partial list of high-risk ingredients when they're not organic:

· Corn syrup.

· Corn starch.

· Corn oil.

· Cornmeal

· Fructose

· Dextrose

· Glucose

· Soy meal.

· Lecithin

· Isoflavin

· Tofu

· Soy Protein Isolate.

· TVP (textured vegetable protein). 

· Vitamin E.

· Xanthan gum.

· Tempeh

· Vitamin B-12.

· Baking powder.

· MSG

· Yeast extract.

· Modified food starch.

· Vegetable Oil.

· Cottonseed Oil.

· Canola Oil.

· Aspartame

· Food Colorings.

ADDED NOTE:

* PRODUCE– very little produce is genetically modified. Only some Papayas from Hawaii are GMO, the rest is not for the time being. Novel products like seedless watermelons are NOT GMO! Keep in mind that produce that is not GMO can still contain high levels of pesticides and herbicides.

                                                                                                                                          

*** SEE (AND SHARE) MY DECEMBER ASK ECOGIRL PRINT COLUMN, "What Do We Do Now About GMOs" ***

Because there's been such interest in this topic, I decided to cover it in my print column too! In that piece, you'll find key information presented in my more polished and compact print style. It's designed to be an essential summary, and is perfect for sharing! Find it in the December Sonoma County Gazette, and at www.patriciadines.info/EcoGirl6f.html.  The web version has lots of added resources at the end.

                                                                                                                                        

Blog content (c) Copyright Patricia Dines, 2012. All rights reserved. Links are encouraged! My content is also available for reprint, but please contact me for permission first. Thanks!

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