Labeling GMOs

By Janani Lee

Recently, a study was released reporting that pigs fed GM grains had more inflamed stomachs than those fed non-GM grain. This is one of the many red flags that have been raised about the unknown consequences and potential dangers of GMO in recent years.

Genetically modified organisms (GMOs) have been in our food supply for nearly two decades and have been controversial for just as long. This is a vast and complicated subject that touches global hunger, the power structures in the food system, and our favorite – genetic diversity. It does not seem right to completely shun a new technology with great potential, but it also does not seem right to assume that seeds patented by corporations like Monsanto that we do not know the long term ecological effects of have the potential to feed our growing global population. This debate deserves is important and should not be shied away from – it needs to be the topic of work place and dinner table conversations around the country and the world.

Back to the issue at hand – we now have some scientific evidence that GM feed is not the best for pigs. Over the past week customers have called in asking if our pigs are GMO free. Though we strive for this ideal, only 100% organic feed grain is guaranteed free of GMOs, but often this is out of our farmer’s price range or difficult for them to get an adequate supply of. We are aware of this issue and working to see what can be done about it.

For now we are supporting policy measures to label GMOs. More public awareness of how prevalent GMOs are in our food supply would lead to greater demands for change and more support for alternate supply chains. A greater demand would lead to a bigger market and more access to better products.

We know that this is a sensitive and divisive issue and welcome your feedback. Genetic diversity is one of the issues closest to our hearts and we will continue to find ways to support it as best we can.