The vast majority of U.S. corn and soybeans are genetically engineered varieties – 93 percent of corn and 94 percent of soybeans this year, according to a USDA report – and Consumer Reports magazine says its tests show they are abundantly present in many processed foods. “The trouble is, it’s hard to avoid them,” says the magazine. Consumers Union, the policy arm of the magazine, advocates a notice on packages to say if the food is genetically engineered.
After testing 80 different processed foods, such as breakfast cereal, veggie burgers, tortilla chops and muffin mix, Consumer Reports said nearly all of the products included GE ingredients unless they explicitly said they do not. Virtually all of the foods that described themselves as “Natural” had “a substantial amount” of GE ingredients. For consumers who want to avoid GE foods, the magazine recommended certified organic or Non-GMO Project Verified foods.
Oregon and Colorado will hold statewide referendums on Nov 4 on whether to require labels on GE foods. On May 9, Vermont enacted a labeling law, which is subject of a court challenge by the food industry.