How to Shop for GE-Free Food

By John McQuaid, Lisa Gosselin, "3 Keys to Finding GE-Free Food," March/April 2011

3 tips for finding food that isn't genetically engineered.

READER'S COMMENT:

"I'm surprised that you don't mention the PLU codes on fresh produce. 4 digits means its conventionally grown; a 9 in front of the 4-digit code means its organically grown; an 8 in front of the 4-digit code means GE. http://www.plucodes....

More Information on GMOs
Is Genetically Engineered Food the Food of the Future?
8 Genetically Engineered Foods to Watch For
How Do You Know What Foods are GMO-free?
Should the U.S. Ban Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs)?
Mmm, Frankensalmon! Is it what’s next for dinner?

rBST-free or rbGH-free. Though cows are not (yet) genetically engineered, many are being injected with a genetically engineered recombinant bovine growth hormone to boost milk production. Though this milk is approved by the FDA as safe for human consumption, so-called recombinant bovine growth hormone (rBGH) or recombinant bovine somatotropin (rBST) has been linked to health problems in cows and remains controversial. It’s been banned in Canada and Europe. When conventional milk producers began labeling their bottles “rBST-free,” agribusiness giant Monsanto (which developed the technology) bankrolled a farmers’ organization that pushed state governments to ban the label. It was unsuccessful and many milk brands now state rBST- or rBGH-free on their labels.