October is Non-GMO Month

Did you know that October is Non-GMO Month? Organized by the Non-GMO Project, the campaign offers a chance to raise awareness about genetically modified foods, how prevalent they are, and what people can do to avoid them.

GMO food
Genetically modified foods have been criticized for their health concerns but Canada still has no laws enforcing labelling of foods with GMO ingredients. Since 1994, more than 100 genetically modified foods have been approved by Health Canada. Recent GMO developments include pigs and salmon and SmartStax Corn. 

To fight the rise in genetically modified foods, the Non-GMO Project has developed a voluntary process-based, best-practices labelling system of non-GMO foods. After all, if GMO food doesn’t have to be labelled, why not label non-GMO food?  Non-GMO Project Verified products’ ingredients are tested, and the company does all it can to avoid contamination.

What you can do
Along with purchasing products that have the Non-GMO Project Verified label, consumers can also take matters into their own hands by buying certified organic products and by contacting companies to ask whether the product contains genetically modified ingredients when unsure. The more companies are contacted, the more they will realize that this is an issue that matters to citizens.

If you’re a US resident, you can also sign a petition calling for the FDA to label genetically modified foods. 

Finally, celebrate non-GMO month and spread the word! Events include film screenings, rallies, conferences, and parties.

Handy resources
These guides can help you navigate the aisles of your grocery store GMO-free:

• True Food Shopping Guide
• Greenpeace’s Shoppers Guide

Learn more
Find out more by visiting the Non-GMO Project website, or the Non-GMO Month homepage.