How to Identify Processed Food With GMOs

Genetically modified organisms, or GMOs, have become a controversial topic among health-conscious consumers. That's because the term usually means food products have been genetically altered, or a gene from another substance has been introduced to the food's structure. Processed foods commonly contain ingredients that include GMOs. Concerns with genetic modification of food include insufficient research and testing on long-term health and environmental effects, and few, if any, labeling requirements.

Instructions

• 1

  Find out if the processed food is organic. Organic food products are not permitted to contain GMOs. The more organic food you incorporate into your diet, the less likelihood you will have of ingesting GMOs.

• 2

  Check the packaging for a label that identifies the processed food as non-GMO, such as the "Non-GMO Project" seal. Many companies have taken part in such projects and label their processed food products to let you know they do not contain GMO ingredients.

• 3

  Contact the company that produced the processed food. Ask where the ingredients came from and whether or not any of them could have contained GMOs. The company might refer you to a supplier because it might be unaware of the growing practices of its suppliers.

• 4

  Unless the products display a non-GMO label, avoid processed foods that contain cottonseed, canola, soybeans or corn, as these are the ingredients that are most commonly genetically modified.