I always talk about this…. how recently it seems that we are reading that most breadcrumbs are back into hydrogenated oil (something our bodies don’t process) because they think we’ve somehow forgotten it’s not good for us…. Either that, or perhaps they think we’re no longer reading labels.
Which brings me to the topic of the day…
According to the Organic Consumers Association‘s latest article, our Secretary of State has announced the ‘Right to Know’ initiative and what that means is GENETICALLY MOTIFIED FOOD (GMO), the stuff that your system just can’t process, (if passed) will now be ‘known’ to you, and this will be on the November Ballot. Some of us, I like to think most of us are reading labels, and really want to know what we are eating. Way cool! High fives all around!
The Organic Consumer Association explains that (GMOs) are plants or meats that have had their DNA artificially altered by genes from other plants, animals, viruses, or bacteria, in order to produce foreign compounds in that food. This type of genetic alteration occurs in a laboratory and is not found in nature.
Now, you tell me if you think I’m wrong… that when we eat, if we can picture what we’re eating – pork, we see a pig, vegetables we see the plant, etc. etc. then we’re good. Are there compounds injected into that food? Who knows….? I don’t think so, and don’t want to start getting paranoid here…But FOR SURE when we eat something canned instead of fresh, and we think we’re getting something good….(like for example the brand name bread crumbs that I always think is wonderful until I read the label)…. that’s where the rub lies (or is that lays)? lol. Not only to read the label but when something is genetically altered to know that in order to make good decisions for ourselves and our families.
I hope you will join the growing number of people who agree this initiative is a good one. And when the politicks and rhetoric starts by ‘big business’, (those companies who have a vested interest in hiding the information), I hope you will put your fingers in your ears, squeeze your eyes closed, put a smile on your face as you gently rock your head from side to side and sing: LAAAA La la la la….. lol
Howdy, Chefs!
Marian, congrats on your beautiful new blog.
I agree that when it comes to the contents of anything we choose to put into our bodies, consumers (the pun is unavoidable) should have as much disclosure about those contents as we can understand. I favor legislation that promotes such honest communication about the origin and contents of cultivated and/or processed foods.
The unlikely nation of Nigeria is way ahead of us in one respect: law prevents anyone from using the word "natural" for any commercial food that has been modified in any way other than to have been picked off a tree or pulled from the ground. Even peeling a fruit makes it something other than "natural" in Nigeria. It's been processed, and isn't as one would find it in nature. Bravo, Nigeria!
I wish that we took such care with our wonderful English language and our amazing food industries in the U.S., and that would include labeling genetically modified foods as such.
Happy birthday, Marian!
Well, as always, you are a bowlful of knowledge! Thanks for telling me and my readers about Nigeria and their policies! I appreciate your well wishes. Back at ya!
Best,
Chef Marian