By Dean L. Jones, CPM
A genetically modified organism (GMO) has had its genes altered using genetic engineering techniques, whereas, such organisms include bacteria, yeast, plants, fish, and mammals. There is a new packaged food labeling initiative on the ballot this year with Proposition 37. A Yes on Prop 37 will require labeling on raw and processed food offered for sale to consumers if made from plants or animals with genetic material changed in specific ways. Some common GMO crops are alfalfa seeds, canola, cotton, papaya, sugar beets, and zucchini. An example of being sugar alert is that sugar beets are used to make food ingredients like high fructose corn syrup (HFCS) which is often included in processed foods.
Should Prop 37 pass GMO foods sold at the retail level will need to be clearly labeled as genetically engineered. Specifically, a Yes on Prop 37 will require that raw foods, such as fruits and vegetables produced entirely or in part through genetic engineering be labeled with the words “Genetically Engineered”. This is a simple addition to packaging, but yet the main opposition not surprisingly comes from the world dominant Monsanto Corporation.
It is bad enough that over 600 million pounds of candy was given away to children this Halloween, and the packaging should read GMO ingredients to help us make better decisions. The Monsanto Corporation will be changing the genetic makeup of a lot of agricultural so as to be immunized to bugs while growing. If a plant is immune to nature, surely it will have some mutant like effect on humans if consumed.
These few words added to packaging are nothing compared to what it should have in the way of information. Take a 20-ounce glass of cola, which contains the equivalent of 16 teaspoons of sugar in the form of HFCS. The labeling does not mention that this is nearly three times the maximum daily processed sugar intake recommended by the American Heart Association. Nonetheless, once ingested, the pancreas organ rapidly begins to create insulin in response to the processed sugar. The rise in blood sugar is quite rapid where within 20 minutes, the blood sugar spikes, and the liver organ responds to the resulting insulin burst by turning massive amounts of sugar into fat.
A full disclosure label would possibly state that after 40-minutes, your pupils dilate, your blood pressure rises, and your liver dumps more sugar into your bloodstream. Then, around 45-minutes, your body increases dopamine production, which stimulates the pleasure centers of the brain and after 60-minutes, you will start to have a blood sugar crash, and you may be tempted to reach for another sweet snack or beverage. That would be a long label, where Prop 37 is simply requesting Genetically Engineered, so packaged food manufactures can word up and disclose real truth.
www.SugarAlert.com
Mr. Jones is a marketing strategist with Southland Partnership Corporation (a public benefit organization), sharing his view on mismanagement practices of packaged foods & beverages.
