The Food and Drug Administration has recently approvedย some genetically modified varieties of apples and potatoes that do not bruise or brown. The agency says they areย “as safe and nutritious as their [non-GMO] conventional counterparts,”ย yet is considering a label for the creations. But if history tells us anything, it’s that these products will not get a GMO label – so how will you know if you’re eating it?
Big biotech hasย created these GMO apples for numerous reasons,ย one being toย reduce a genetic โissueโ in apples โ the oxidation of the fruit which causes it to brown when it has been exposed to air. This natural browning is considered ‘a serious problem’ which causes a loss for the industry at every level.
Furthermore, the GMO fruit wonโt โexhibit slicing damage, result in shrinkage, and put more money in growerโs pockets.โ according to Okanagan Specialty Fruits (OSF), but thatโs only if the public takes the bait.
How to Know if You’re Eating the GMO Arctic Apple
You may actually be able to identify these GMO apples by their sale name โArcticโ โ or perhaps an FDA-approved label that they are considered โnon-browning.โ This is an indicator that we have not yet seen with genetically modified foods โ and for good reason. After all, countless individualsย would not actually purchase GMO foods (including the new GMO apple) if they carried an appropriate label.
But as mentioned, this label will not likely become a reality. So what does one doย to avoid these creations?
1. Is the Apple 100% Organic?
United States and Canadian governments do not allow companies to label products 100% organic if they contain genetically modified foods. This, in theory, is a sure-fire way to ensure that you’re avoiding the new GMO arctic apple if it doesn’t already carry a special label.
2. Does the Apple Carry the โNon-GMโ or โGMO-Freeโ Seal?
When searching for applesย in a health food store that supplies organic produce, just look for signs indicating that the applesย are organic and non-GMO. Many packaged products represent the NON-GMO Project verified seal, but in this case youโll need to look for as many indicators as possible. It shouldn’t be difficult to tell the GMO and NON-GMO produce apart in any health food store (as opposed to your mainstream mega-grocery suppliers).
One last method to tell if you’re produce is GMO or not is to consider the numbered labels:
- Conventional Fruit Labels: Four digit numbers that begin with the number 4, and never begin with the number 9.
- Organic Fruit Labels: These fruit labels always contain 5 digits, and begin with the number 9. Always check and make sure, as some โorganicโ products have been known to be deceptively labeled.
