According to tests performed by Consumer Reports Food Safety and Sustainability, most packaged foods in the U.S. that are labeled as ‘natural’ were found to contain a considerable amount of genetically modified ingredients. Urvashi Rangan, executive director of the non-profit survey company says the ‘natural’ label is misleading for customers.
The survey was conducted on over 80 processed foods that contain corn or soy, the two most commonly genetically engineered crops in the U.S. Each product was tested twice to measure the GMO content. If a product registered less than 0.9 per cent genetically engineered corn or soy, it was considered GMO-free.
Although foods labeled as ‘non-GMO’ or ‘organic’ were not found to contain any genetically modified ingredients, any products that were labeled as ‘natural’ or did not make claims on its packaging regarding GMOs contained the genetically engineered ingredients, including cereals, chips and infant formula, according to Consumer Reports.
The Grocery Manufacturers Association in the U.S. has been pushing the federal government to define how to use the term “natural” on food packaging, while allowing GMO foods to be labeled as natural.
Certain U.S. states are considering mandatory labeling of foods that contain genetically modified ingredients, and Vermont has already passed a labeling law. Consumer Reports’ policy arm, Consumers Union, supports mandatory labeling of any products that contain GMOs.
