What foods are GMO? A complete guide

According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), GMO seeds are used to plant over 90% of all maize (corn), cotton, and soy grown in the United States. Genetically modified organisms (GMOs) are a significant part of the modern food supply, often used to improve crop yields, resist pests, and enhance nutritional content. This guide will explain what foods are GMO and where you might find them in your daily diet.

Quick Summary

This guide provides a comprehensive list of genetically modified foods, including common crops like corn and soybeans, specific produce such as papayas and apples, and processed ingredients. It also details the labeling requirements and common applications of GMOs in the food supply.

Key Points

• Prevalent Processed Ingredients: Most GMOs are not whole fruits and vegetables, but rather common crops like corn and soy that are processed into ingredients like oils, starches, and sweeteners for a wide array of foods.

• Specific Produce: A small number of fresh produce items, such as certain varieties of apples, potatoes, papayas, and summer squash, have GMO versions available on the market.

• Animal Feed: A large portion of GMO crops like corn and alfalfa is used for livestock feed. While the meat, eggs, and milk from these animals are considered equivalent to non-GMO products, it is a significant part of the GMO supply chain.

• Labeling in the U.S.: The National Bioengineered Food Disclosure Standard requires labeling for certain foods with detectable genetic material from bioengineered crops using text, a symbol, or a QR code.

• Non-Labeling Scenarios: Processed foods containing highly refined ingredients from GMO sources (e.g., canola oil, corn syrup) are often exempt from the 'Bioengineered' label because the final product contains no detectable modified DNA.

• Voluntary Labels: For assurance against GMO content, consumers can look for voluntary labels like 'Certified Organic' or 'Non-GMO Project Verified'.

Understanding Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs)

A genetically modified organism (GMO) is any living organism whose genetic material has been altered using genetic engineering techniques. This allows scientists to introduce specific, desirable traits, such as increased resistance to pests, disease, or herbicides. While this sounds like a modern invention, humans have been modifying plants through selective breeding for thousands of years. The key difference with modern genetic engineering is the precision and speed with which these changes can be made.

The FDA, EPA, and USDA regulate GMOs in the United States, and all approved GMOs must meet the same strict safety standards as conventional foods. The primary benefit of GMOs for farmers is often higher crop yields, lower production costs, and a reduced environmental footprint, while consumers may benefit from more nutritious food and lower prices.

The Most Common GMO Foods

While some fear that all food is GMO, only a small number of crops have a widely commercialized GMO counterpart. However, these crops are often processed into many common food ingredients. The most prevalent GMO crops in the U.S. include:

• Corn: The vast majority of corn grown in the U.S. is genetically modified, primarily to resist insect pests (Bt corn) or tolerate herbicides. Most of this corn becomes livestock feed or is processed into ingredients like corn syrup, cornstarch, and corn oil. A smaller portion of sweet corn is also GMO.
• Soybeans: Like corn, most soy grown in the U.S. is GMO, primarily for herbicide resistance. It is extensively used in animal feed and processed into ingredients such as soybean oil and soy lecithin, found in many processed foods.
• Canola: A major source of cooking oil and margarine, most canola oil in the U.S. is derived from genetically modified, herbicide-resistant canola plants.
• Sugar Beets: Over half of the granulated sugar sold in the U.S. comes from sugar beets, and most of these are genetically modified to be herbicide-tolerant. Sugar derived from genetically modified sugar beets is chemically identical to non-GMO sugar.
• Alfalfa: This crop is primarily grown for livestock feed, and much of it is genetically modified for herbicide tolerance.
• Cotton: While known for textiles, the oil from genetically modified cotton (cottonseed oil) is used in packaged foods and for frying.

Specific Produce Available as GMO

Unlike the major processed crops, certain fruits and vegetables are also available in genetically modified varieties. However, these are less common and often have specific traits. Here are some notable examples:

• Papaya: The 'Rainbow' papaya, which is resistant to the ringspot virus, was crucial in saving Hawaii's papaya industry in the 1990s. Most Hawaiian papayas are GMO.
• Summer Squash: This was one of the first GMOs on the market, modified to resist certain plant viruses. However, it is not widely grown.
• Apples: A few specific varieties, sold under the name Arctic® apples, are genetically modified to resist browning when cut. This is done by silencing the gene that causes the browning enzyme.
• Potatoes: Certain varieties, such as the 'Innate' White Russet, have been modified to reduce bruising and black spots, and to produce less acrylamide when cooked at high temperatures.
• Pink Pineapple: A unique, specialty product, this pineapple was developed to have pink flesh by increasing lycopene content.

Table: GMO vs. Non-GMO Product Characteristics

Feature	GMO Crops and Products	Non-GMO Crops and Products
Genetic Source	Genetic material is altered in a laboratory using techniques like gene editing.	Created through traditional breeding, selective cultivation, or found in nature.
Key Traits	Engineered for specific traits such as pest resistance, herbicide tolerance, or enhanced nutritional content.	Traits are the result of natural genetic variation or selective breeding over many generations.
Common Examples	Field corn, soybeans, canola, sugar beets, specific apples, and potatoes.	Most fresh produce (except specific varieties listed), organic produce, and heritage varieties.
Labeling in U.S.	May carry a 'Bioengineered' label, text, or QR code if containing detectable modified DNA.	May carry a 'Non-GMO Project Verified' label or be certified organic, though not required.
Price	Often more cost-effective for farmers, which can result in lower prices for consumers.	Can be more expensive due to higher costs associated with production and handling.
Primary Use	Frequently used for animal feed or processed into ingredients like oil, sugar, and syrup.	Used in a wide variety of food products, both whole and processed.

GMO Labeling: What to Look For

In the United States, the National Bioengineered Food Disclosure Standard requires manufacturers, importers, and retailers to label foods that contain detectable genetic material from GMOs. This standard, which came into effect in 2022, provides several ways for companies to disclose this information:

• Text: A clear text on the packaging, such as “Bioengineered Food.”
• Symbol: The USDA Bioengineered symbol.
• QR Code: A scannable QR code linking to further information online.

It is important to note that certain products are exempt from this labeling. For instance, food sold in restaurants or products where the refined ingredient (e.g., oil, sugar) contains no detectable modified genetic material are not required to carry the label. For consumers seeking to avoid GMOs, looking for a 'Certified Organic' or 'Non-GMO Project Verified' label is the clearest way to ensure products are non-GMO.

Conclusion

Understanding what foods are GMO is a key part of navigating the modern food system. While a few fresh fruits and vegetables are genetically modified, the most common GMOs, such as corn, soybeans, and canola, are primarily used to produce processed ingredients or animal feed. Strict safety regulations oversee all GMOs on the market, but labeling standards help provide consumer choice. By learning to identify the bioengineered labels and understanding the difference between raw and processed ingredients, consumers can make informed decisions about their food purchases.

For more detailed information, the USDA Agricultural Marketing Service provides a List of Bioengineered Foods that is regularly updated.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the most common GMO food ingredient in the United States?

The most common GMO food ingredients in the United States are corn and soy, primarily used in processed foods as corn syrup, corn oil, soybean oil, and other additives.

Are all papayas genetically modified?

No, not all papayas are GMO. However, the 'Rainbow' papaya variety, which makes up most of Hawaii's papaya crop, was genetically engineered to be resistant to the ringspot virus.

How can I tell if a food is GMO?

In the U.S., look for a 'Bioengineered' label, symbol, or QR code on the packaging, as required by the National Bioengineered Food Disclosure Standard for foods with detectable GMO material. For processed foods or those without detectable DNA, this label may not appear.

Does eating GMO animal feed make meat, eggs, or milk GMO?

No. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) states that independent studies show no difference in the health and safety of animals fed GMO crops, and the DNA from the feed does not transfer to the animal's meat, eggs, or milk.

Are GMO foods safe to eat?

Yes, regulatory agencies like the FDA and scientific bodies have concluded that GMO foods on the market are as safe to eat as their conventionally bred counterparts.

Are there any GMO animals for human consumption?

Yes. The FDA has approved two genetically modified animals for human consumption: the AquAdvantage salmon, which grows faster, and the GalSafe pig, developed to be free of alpha-gal sugar.

Why would an apple be genetically modified?

Arctic® apples are genetically modified to prevent browning when they are cut. This helps reduce food waste, as many consumers throw away apples that have browned, mistaking it for spoilage.