Genetically Modified Foods
Genetically modified products were introduced roughly ten years and were put on the market without any long term trials or tests. We do not know the affects they will have on us, or our children. Because of the lack of adequate testing, there is a campaign to get GMO-containing foods to be labeled.
Currently there is no law that requires labeling of GMO ingredients.
Many countries have banned GMO products but our grocery store aisles are filled with these “frankenfoods.” The the most commonly genetically modified foods are: soybeans, cotton oil, canola oil and especially, corn. As of 2007, 91% of the US’s soybeans were genetically modified. It has reached the point that unless the box says “No GMOs” or “organic”; you should assume that it contains GMOs.
Because GMO foods are hidden in the labels, it is especially important to buy from companys that do not use GMOs.
Thanks to www.amyskitchen.com for the information.
Showing posts with label Organic. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Organic. Show all posts
Saturday, March 20, 2010
Why Organic? Vol. One
The Dust Bowl of the 1930's is the perfect example of why growing organic and sustainability in general is important. During this time, farmers were planing their crops at full capacity, and all the time - never allowing the soil to regenerate. They were using slash and burn practices, which reaked havoc on the soil and eco-system. Why was this done? Most efficient, more yield, less time working, larger profit. We now understand that these types of farming practices are harmful, unfortunately, so many people lost so much in learning this lesson.
Why organic?
"Many people are aware that food grown according to organic principles is free from exposure to harmful herbicides and pesticides, but that is only one small aspect of organic agriculture. A larger part of organic agriculture involves the health of the soil and the ecosystem in which crops and livestock are raised. Organic farmers recognize that healthy, vibrant, and live soils and ecosystems significantly benefit crops. Natural, undisturbed soil is alive with microbiotic organisms that exist in harmony with the native plant life and the inorganic minerals that provide the soil's substrate.
Synthetic chemicals (such as herbicides, pesticides, and/or fast acting inorganic fertilizers) applied in or around crops interrupt or destroy the microbiotic activity in the soil. Once the microbiotic activity in the soil has stopped, the soil becomes merely an anchor for plant material. In this conventional method of agriculture (in use for only the past 75 of 10,000 years of recorded agriculture) plants can receive only air, water, and sunlight from their environment -- everything else must be distributed to plants by farmers, often from inputs transported thousands of miles to reach the farm. Plants are commonly fed only the most basic elements of plant life and so are dependent on the farmer to fight nature's challenges, e.g. pests, disease, and drought."
-Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners Association http://www.mofga.org/tabid/166/Default.aspx
Why organic?
"Many people are aware that food grown according to organic principles is free from exposure to harmful herbicides and pesticides, but that is only one small aspect of organic agriculture. A larger part of organic agriculture involves the health of the soil and the ecosystem in which crops and livestock are raised. Organic farmers recognize that healthy, vibrant, and live soils and ecosystems significantly benefit crops. Natural, undisturbed soil is alive with microbiotic organisms that exist in harmony with the native plant life and the inorganic minerals that provide the soil's substrate.
Synthetic chemicals (such as herbicides, pesticides, and/or fast acting inorganic fertilizers) applied in or around crops interrupt or destroy the microbiotic activity in the soil. Once the microbiotic activity in the soil has stopped, the soil becomes merely an anchor for plant material. In this conventional method of agriculture (in use for only the past 75 of 10,000 years of recorded agriculture) plants can receive only air, water, and sunlight from their environment -- everything else must be distributed to plants by farmers, often from inputs transported thousands of miles to reach the farm. Plants are commonly fed only the most basic elements of plant life and so are dependent on the farmer to fight nature's challenges, e.g. pests, disease, and drought."
-Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners Association http://www.mofga.org/tabid/166/Default.aspx
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