As more genetically engineered crops are approved and grown commercially, the average amount of genetically engineered food consumed would be expected to spike far above 193 pounds a year. EWG considered only three genetically engineered crops, but more than 30 others are currently being tested in field trials, including apples, barley, bell peppers, cabbage, carrots, cauliflower, cherries, chili peppers, coffee, cranberries, cucumber, flax, grapefruit, kiwi, lentils, lettuce, melons, mustard, oats, olives, onions, peanuts, pears, peas, persimmons, pineapple, popcorn, radishes, strawberries, sugar cane, sunflower, sweet potatoes, tomatoes, walnuts and watercress.
While it is unclear how long it may take for these new genetically engineered crops to reach the market, this long list makes it likely that people could be eating two or three times their weight in GE food annually within the next decade.
Children, Hispanics likely eating more genetically engineered food
Some people are likely already eating more than their share of genetically engineered food. Hispanic Americans, for example, who typically eat between 2-to-3 times more corn flour than people of other ethnicities, would be expected to get an extra dose of genetically engineered food in their diet.
Similarly, data show that children eat more corn flour and sweeteners per pound of body weight than adults. Given how much of these ingredients tend to be derived from genetically engineered sources, kids are likely ingesting more genetically engineered food.
Taking a stand for their right to know should be reason enough for people to vote for labeling of genetically engineered foods. Here’s another good reason: Americans are eating their body weight in genetically engineered food every year–and have little idea where it’s coming from. That’s certainly something to chew on.
Originally published on AgMag
References:
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. 2012. FastStats: Body Measurements.
And if somewhere down the road it's discovered that there IS something harmful directly (or indirectly) resulting from consumption of these foods, who do you suppose will face the consequence? Given the model of how Wall Street weathered their own recent fiasco, you can be damn sure that it won't be those who made their millions bringing this kind of thing to market. If you are inclined to rush such unproven methods through "approval", then the least you can do is cover your asses and LABEL it. Very disturbing.
Great post on GMOs, especially the concerns about children eating larger proportions of foods containing GM ingredients. I agree that there needs to be more awareness among consumers about what they are eating and feeding to their families!
Thanks for sharing this with Civil Eats and your reader base!
If you would like more resources to help spread the word about this and California's Prop 37, please visit 10reasonsforprop37.org!
We have tons of embeddable resources regarding GM food issues, which are all available for you to use.
With Big Ag companies like Monsanto spending millions and millions of dollars fighting against Prop 37, we need to know what they're hiding from consumers and why!
Thanks for being an advocate for consumer education and awareness!