DIET - genetically modified foods in pregnancy

[tinkerbelle]

I just wanted to put this out there for people's consideration. I think about it a lot because GM foods to me seem to defy all logic. I really think that all pregnant women should really try hard to avoid GM foods, there is no research supporting their safety and in fact most of the research done so far on animals has found very devastating effects - the one that concerns me the most is that research has found fertility problems in animals consuming these foods, as well as reduced ability of any of their offspring to reproduce - some researchers have called for the GM foods to be removed from our food supply because the effects on fertility of future human populations are unknown. Some researchers have even gone so far as to predict mass sterility in human populations in the future - the GM foods have only just been introduced into our food supply, and the effects on future generations cannot be known yet. There has also been no studies done on human populations so far.
The biggest ones to avoid in Australia are GM soy, corn, canola and cottonseed. I'm not sure about wheat. The only one allowed to be grown in Australia is canola, but many food manufacturers use many of the above imported ingredients in their products. You are likely to find GM in all sorts of foods, including everyday chocolate (soy). Alfalfa and legumes can also be GM if imported.
I am a bit obsessive about this I have to say, and more so now that I am pregnant, but some of the the things I do and would suggest to avoid GM foods are:-
* Only buy organic chocolate and organic dairy produce. I buy organic meat (when I can afford to), but I avoid big companies and supermarket brands of meat, I tend to buy from local butcher who sells non GM meat.
* Buy lots of fresh Australian grown produce, avoid imported fruit and veg. Make sure fresh corn bought from the store is Australian grown. Or grow as much of your own fruit and veg as possible!
* Look for digit numbers on fresh produce (fruit and veg) - a 4 digit number means conventionally grown, a 5 digit number beginning with 9 means organic, a 5 digit number beginning with 8 means genetically modified.
* Avoid buying canola oil, unless it specifies GM free (Im not sure I would even trust that though). I only buy olive oil from reputable companies (according to choice - those that don't mix their oils with canola).
* Avoid buying take away fish and chips or other take aways as they usually are cooked in canola or cottonseed oil. If you eat out, ask them to cook food in olive oil, or maybe butter, or grill it instead.
* Try and make your own sauces and condiments, don't buy the jar ones - but if you do - check the ingredients and make sure they are Australian made, organic, or do not contain any ingredients which could be potentially GM.
* Buy organic bread and cereals, or make your own with organic grains. Or check the labels for potentially GM ingredients.
* Use the GREENPEACE TRUE FOOD GUIDE.. to choose reputable companies when picking foods off the supermarket shelf.

I have just been suprised that many pregnant women I have come across don't even think about this. If you want more info, please read to the following websites, you will find plenty more if you do a google search.
True Food Network :: True Food Guide
Genetically-engineered food: potential threat to fertility | Greenpeace International
Evil in Our Food Chain: GMOs: Genetically Modified Foods Endanger the Human Race

I dont mean to scare anyone, I am sorry if I have, but I feel the need to inform people about this issue.

[Trillian]

but I avoid big companies and supermarket brands of meat, I tend to buy from local butcher who sells non GM meat.

Just a wee bit of misinformation there. ALL meat that you buy no matter whether it comes from a supermarket or a butcher comes from the same place - the saleyards. I don't know where you think that meat comes from otherwise? The supermarkets and meat processors all send buyers out to the sales all over the country. There is no 'GM Meat', unless you consider selective breeding to be GM, in which case you should become a vegetarian because ALL meat comes from selectively bred animals. How do I know this? Because my DH and I breed the animals. The only real issue here is if you want animals that are free from chemicals (from both vaccinations and cross-contamination from the food that they eat), so you should aim for organic meat. It is illegal in this country to use antibiotics etc in animals to boost growth and any claims from companies that advertise as such are using misleading information.

[tinkerbelle]

It is the GM feed that the meat growers feed the animals that you should try and avoid - so yes you are right, no meat is genetically modified itself, although who knows in the future? I trust the Greenpeace true food guide on which brands to avoid and which to buy.. not anything said by the food manufacturers and breeders.

[Trillian]

So you won't take my word for it then? Obviously I can't vouch for all meat producers like us, but you really need to clarify that and do some of your own research before you make such bold statements. I wouldn't be trusting Greenpeace 100% either, just as I wouldn't trust PETA because their business is to spread lies and propaganda to suit themselves. Just google PETA and muelsing and you will see what I mean. I'm not saying that you shouldn't make every effort to avoid it if you want to do that, but I am saying that you should educate yourself further than taking Greenpeace's word as gospel so you aren't taken for a ride and ripped off and sold something that doesn't exist.

[tinkerbelle]

I've been researching this personally for two years, I am happy with what I have learned thankyou. And no, I dont take the word of food suppliers, why would I? - most of them only care about making a buck, not about my personal health. Greenpeace has strict criteria for what they allow onto their list as well so I am happy to trust them.

[turtleschell]

Thanks for this, I had no idea!
Looks like I won't be using Leggos anymore

[Trillian]

And the people who produce food to meet a particular market such as yourself aren't out to make a buck either? Because I'm sure they aren't doing it for free. Can your butchers tell you with 100% certainty that the meat the sell isn't fed gm food? Do they personally know their suppliers and what they feed their stock, are their suppliers 100% certain that the feed they use isn't derived from GM crops?

ETA - I just checked out the true food link and all they list in their 'red' category for meat are;
Pace Farm Eggs
Baiada
Bartter Enterprises
Inghams
Steggles
Sunnybrand Chickens
Don Smallgoods
KR Castlemaine
Primo Smallgoods
Watsonia

so there is no mention there of beef or lamb at all? And those on the green list, how can you be sure that your butcher is sourcing it from those places? I ask because at times business may change suppliers and you may not know that they have so you may not be getting what you pay for.

ETA #2, I find it somewhat amusing and possibly hypocritcal that the true food network, run by GREENPEACE lists NESTLE products on its GREEN list!!!! Definitely not credible in my eyes now.

[tinkerbelle]

I tend to eat chicken and fish only anyway, thats my personal choice for the above reasons you pointed out..
What the? Me? A food producer for a particular market? You got to be kidding.. Im just an educated consumer..
I find it somewhat amusing that a food supplier seems to have taken so much offense to my post... when I was only trying to provide information that might be of help to others.. but what more could you expect really.
After all - if consumers know the truth about their foods, and make educated choices, food suppliers will no longer be able to cut corners and make unethical decisions. That is my hope for the future, and my purpose for writing this post.

[Trillian]

All I am trying to say is that not all food producers are the bad guys. We are a small family run business. We don't earn millions of dollars a year and we don't have to perform to increase returns to shareholders. And yes, you do fit into a 'market' whether you like it or not - as does anyone who prefers to buy a certain product. Yes you are an informed consumer, but you are able to find the products you want because the producers of those products have realised that there is a market for organic food, or food free from GM so they are going to cater for it and source, grow or sell the foods you want. So I'm not taking offense, but I am trying to educate as well by saying that some of what you said is misinformed and explain why so that others can make their own decisions. I'm just like you, trying to make sure that consumers know the truth about food . You should pop into the Ethical and aware living forum and see what discussions we have had there as well.

[Phteven]

PMSL @ Nestle being 'green'. I guess that if the destruction of rain-forests, dumping formula on the 3rd world and using child slaves for chocolate is green then me and Greenpeace have different ideas about what constitutes being green.

[tinkerbelle]

Trillian - I had thought you were implying I was a food producer myself, which was why I was shocked, but I can see now how I misinterpreted your comment. Yes I agree that I do fall into a particular market category and I am very happy that there are food producers out there that will cater for that. I also hope that more and more consumers will educate themselves about food so that food producers and suppliers can be more accountable. No, I dont believe that all food producers are the bad guys, but there are some companies that are more ethical than others and it is up to the individual consumer to make responsible choices and realise that their health is in their own hands.
I still cant see how any of what I have said is misinformed - on the topic of GM meat, as I clarified - it is the GM feed given to animals I was suggesting to avoid, but yes this needed further clarification.
On the topic of Greenpeace and Nestle - I don't agree that it is right either that Nestle is listed on their list, however it is a list that has a purpose is to specify what foods are GM free - I would see that it is up the individual consumer to educate themselves about other ethical issues related to specific companies on the list and avoid those companies as appropriate.

[Trillian]

Tinkerbelle, that is where the problem is. A person should be able to think that something that is produced by Greenpeace is of the highest ethical standard, but when they are listing products from Nestle on there list then I do have to wonder about not only the authenticity of the lists, but also about the relationship between Nestle and Greenpeace itself kwim? It just doesn't seem right that Greenpeace can promote Nestle as being green, when in reality they are one of the biggest environmental rapists on the planet. But you're right, this was only about GM foods so technically Nestle can appear on a list of producers/products that doesn't use GM, but it seems very hypocritical of Greenpeace is all and a conflict of interest as well.

And I totally understand the need to be an aware shopper I do it myself and although we don't have the same viewpoint on it (apart from soy - that **** is evil LOL) we all have our own standards and ethics I guess I have a slightly different point of view too because I am a producer myself. And you really should pop into the Ethical and Aware living forum too!

[tinkerbelle]

Just on the greenpeace/nestle thing.. greenpeace first highlighted the issues with Nestle and started campaigns against them... I am not sure why then they allow the company to be on their GM free list. Perhaps it is because Nestle has made some changes to their policies that are acceptable to Greenpeace - I don't know as haven't looked into this.

[Trillian]

It would be certainly worth following up and doing more research on because Nestle has a long way to go before I would even accept that they are making inroads into changing their policies.