Have you heard the news about the FDA considering approval of the sale of genetically modified salmon for human consumption? As if not labeling genetically modified plants isn’t enough, they are even debating on whether to label the salmon!
How do you feel about genetically modified foods?
As you may know, my daughter is allergic to pretty much everything and my local natural food store, Native Sun, was so helpful with helping me find foods that my daughter could eat. While discussing the emergence of allergies with one of their food researchers, in regards to soy in particular, I mentioned that I don’t remember any children I knew having food allergies such as soy. I was told that the soy allergies really began to emerge in direct correlation with the genetically modified soy products hitting the market.
It’s a scary thought. By not allowing a label we aren’t even given the choice to choose for ourselves. They leave it up to us to do our research and seek out the products that have no GMOs. Most people don’t even think to do that. We Americans are busy after all!
I’m going to contact the FDA and give them my two cents. Who knows, if enough of us tell them what we think they might listen!
Contact info from the FDA website.
Food and Drug Administration
10903 New Hampshire Ave
Silver Spring, MD 20993-0002
or by telephone:
1-888-INFO-FDA (1-888-463-6332)—main FDA Phone Number (for general inquiries)
Another great way to take action is at Food and Water Watch.
I'm a bit horrified. 'Genetically modified' anything kind of triggers that…but I'll have to look into it.
Haven't they heard “good things come to those who wait”?! I say let mother nature do her job.
I don't think that genetically modified fish (or anything else) is inherently bad, in many ways it stands to be good both for human health (the fish – including salmon- that is currently on the market contains all manner of chemical pollutants and heavy metals – these GM fish are supposedly going to be produced in inland ponds, not in polluted waters) and the environment (e.g., combat overfishing of wild populations and stop the environmental degradation caused by current fish farms). But the lack of transparency and oversight in the FDA makes me hesitant to support a new and under researched product. As it stands now I'm pretty cautious about everything I buy because of the lack of oversight – I've stopped eating red meat, I purchase chicken, eggs and produce directly from the producers. The only things I have to buy from a “grocery” store are dry goods – grains, beans, nuts, etc – and I try to purchase these from natural foods stores. This makes eating somewhat costly, but due to a wide range of digestive problems and a general desire to be healthy, I don't feel I have any other option.
Also forgot to say – I think it's great that you are contacting the FDA! If more people took the time to become informed, to give input, and to hold the FDA accountable they might feel pressured enough to do a better job!
Ash and Alf thanks so much for the insightful comments. I love hearing all different opinions on a subject. My shopping habits are very similar to yours! I think the more we talk about these issues and educate ourselves about the farming industry the better.
I feel lucky that the European Union has, so far, had a relatively strict attitude towards anything GMO (and the requirement to label them). However, with the pressure from big farmers – specially in South- and Central Europe – I'm sure the practise will slowly move towards the trend in the USA, with less restrictions.
I'm not that worried about the GM food being unhealthy as such (being vegetarian, of course, the most common, potential GM ingredients for me would be soy or corn – not the meat or fish industry), but I'm concerned about the effects to the environment (specially in third world countries, where GM plans might offer a solution to some problems – but, at the same time, cause enormous problems elsewhere).
I think it's great that you're contacting the FDA – I really wish more consumers did the same (or contacted the EFSA here in Europe).
Thanks for the comment Seglare! I love hearing about the policy in other countries as well.