03-01-2015, 06:53 PM
Hey rainyjim - in the short term, a simple GMO / non-GMO label can be applied even after packaging, such as when a product enters a state requiring GMO labeling.
In the long term, my preference would be to have ingredients listed as GMO or non-GMO varieties, and then a list of the actual strains present. For instance, my bag of Tortilla Chips would probably read something like this-
Ingredients: GMO-corn, Vegetable Oil (GMO-corn, GMO-canola, and/or Sunflower Oil.) and Salt
GMO-corn = Enogen (3272) and/or Bt Xtra (DBT418)
GMO-canola = Invigor (RF3)
Also, every product should have a batch-code on it so that its specific mix percentage of differing GMO strains could be looked up online. This would help track and sort out contamination issues both for GMO products, such as the Starlink debacle, as well as general food safety issues, such as E. Coli outbreaks.
Remember GMO crops are biotech products unique enough to be protected by a patent - they are not simply "corn" and should not be treated as such. Labeling the differing GMO products is a first step to understanding and tracking their differences, if any, in potential health impacts.
Would you want your ingredient list to just read Fat or clearly spell out the amount of trans-fat, or even a patented fat substitute like Olestra, that is present?
In the long term, my preference would be to have ingredients listed as GMO or non-GMO varieties, and then a list of the actual strains present. For instance, my bag of Tortilla Chips would probably read something like this-
Ingredients: GMO-corn, Vegetable Oil (GMO-corn, GMO-canola, and/or Sunflower Oil.) and Salt
GMO-corn = Enogen (3272) and/or Bt Xtra (DBT418)
GMO-canola = Invigor (RF3)
Also, every product should have a batch-code on it so that its specific mix percentage of differing GMO strains could be looked up online. This would help track and sort out contamination issues both for GMO products, such as the Starlink debacle, as well as general food safety issues, such as E. Coli outbreaks.
Remember GMO crops are biotech products unique enough to be protected by a patent - they are not simply "corn" and should not be treated as such. Labeling the differing GMO products is a first step to understanding and tracking their differences, if any, in potential health impacts.
Would you want your ingredient list to just read Fat or clearly spell out the amount of trans-fat, or even a patented fat substitute like Olestra, that is present?