Whole Foods Market 
Genetic Engineering Position Statement 

May00

 

Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs): The Consumer's Right to Know

Whole Foods Market's position regarding genetic engineering has remained unchanged since we first alerted our consumers in 1992 about the potential risks of this new technology. While its applications to medicine may or may not prove to be beneficial, when it comes to our food supply, we are very concerned about the disruptive effect genetic engineering may have on our environment and whether long-term human health issues have been thoroughly addressed. We are actively engaged in efforts to establish mandatory labeling of foods with genetically modified ingredients. Labeling will enable consumers to avoid products produced by means that may be contradictory to religious, spiritual, and/or ethical beliefs. Consumers simply have the right to choose for themselves between genetically engineered and non-genetically engineered products.

What is genetic engineering?
Genetic engineering is a modern form of biotechnology-a broad term describing processes such as cross-breeding, plant hybridization and fermentation. While biotechnology has been used by humans for thousands of years, genetic engineering is a relatively new and rapidly developing technology that is raising public concern. Genetic engineering focuses on the manipulation (blocking, adding, or scrambling) of the genetic material (the DNA) inside the cells of living organisms to block or add desired traits. The result is often termed a genetically modified organism, commonly abbreviated as GMO.

As of the 1999 production season, the major commercial food crops grown in the United States with the potential to be genetically modified include canola, red-hearted chicory (radicchio), corn, cotton, papaya, potato, soybean, tomato, yellow crook-neck squash, sugar beets, and rice. While the actual types of crops currently available as genetically modified appears limited, the list includes corn and soybeans, two food crops that are extensively used in processed foods. With estimates that 35% of corn and 55% of soybeans grown in the United States during1999 are genetically modified, approximately 60% of processed foods may contain these and other GMO ingredients. Yet another common GMO food source is dairy products from cows injected with the genetically modified hormone recombinant bovine growth hormone (rBGH). Because there are no laws mandating these ingredients must be labeled as genetically modified, consumers may unwittingly be consuming genetically modified ingredients, whether they want to or not.

 

Whole Foods Market: Providing Real Alternatives

Our Private Label Products
In addition to our support for mandatory labeling of products that contain genetically modified ingredients, we are taking our commitment to consumer choice one step further by committing to a goal of no genetically modified ingredients in our own Whole Foods brand and 365 brand private label products.

As a result, we have been working with the manufacturers of our Whole Foods brand and 365 brand private label products and their suppliers to verify the GMO status of the major ingredients that could potentially be genetically modified. We are pleased to report that most of our products already do not use GMO varieties of these ingredients. Where GMO ingredients are present, we will replace them with non-GMO alternatives as soon as they are available. The key to managing non-GMO integrity is to know and develop confidence in the supply chain. We view this new venture as an extension of the cooperative partnerships we have fostered all along within the natural foods industry.

As an added step to enhance consumer confidence, we are verifying our manufacturers' claims through state-of-the-art polymerase chain reaction (PCR) technology. This testing procedure, conducted througha globally recognized independent laboratory, can detect the presence of GMOs down to a concentration of 0.1% (1 part in 1000). Our insistence on this verification procedure contributes another level to our system of checks and balances upon which our consumers can rely.

Our goal of no-GMO ingredients in our Whole Foods market brand and 365 products is focused on accessing ingredients derived from non-genetically modified seeds. Unfortunately, absolute "GMO-free" guarantees cannot be made on any manufacturer's product. Not only is it impossible to test every container of product, but currently there is no system in the United States to guard against drift from farmers using GMO seed that could potentially contaminate non-GMO crops.

Buy Organic
Our own Whole Foods brand features certified organic ingredients whenever possible, providing another verification of no genetically modified ingredients for those particular products. Fortunately, genetic modification of crops, livestock and ingredients in processed foods is not allowed in organic food production, a standard that the US Department of Agriculture agreed will be retained in the future National Organic Standards. Accordingly, our wide array of organic products throughout our stores provides our customers expanded opportunities to find products made without GMO ingredients.

What can you do about the genetic modification of our food supply? Plenty! First, support manufacturers who are making the effort to provide non-genetically modified ingredients within their products. But don't stop there! Let the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), US Department of Agriculture (USDA), and your favorite manufacturers know how you feel about the genetic engineering of our food supply. Tell them that the only way you can make an informed choice whether or not to purchase foods with genetically modified ingredients is if these foods are labeled accordingly.

Send short, to the point, originally drafted letters (no form letters) to:
Jane E. Henney, M.D.
Commissioner
Food and Drug Administration
5600 Fishers Lane, Room 1471
Mailstop: H F-1
Rockville, MD 20857

Dan Glickman
Secretary of Agriculture
US Department of Agriculture
200 A Whitten Building
1400 Independence Ave. SW
Washington DC 20250

 

Lookup Addresses

State listings of US Representatives and Senators are available on The Campaign to Label Genetically Engineered Food website.

Lookup your Representative's or Senator's address on government webites.

Call the US Capitol Switchboard 202-224-3121.

To contact manufacturers, look for their complete address printed on the product packaging.

 

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