GM Foods
Mon 13 Sep
If you buy non organic foods from the supermarket it's very likely that a GM ingredient has been used in it's production, however this information may not end up on the label.
When speaking to the supermarket representatives last week, they assured me that none of there fresh produce contained GM ingredients and all their branded products are strictly assessed and will be marked as containing GM ingredients if detected.
However, we are advised to contact the supplier directly, as the supermarket cannot guarantee other products, both made in Australia and imported, are free from genetically modifed ingredients.
I've since found out that only random testing of imported and locally produced products are done by the state and territory health departments, to assess for GM ingredients, so making a call is the only way to find out.
Food Standards Australia state that all foods containing approved GM ingredients must be labelled by law. Derivaties of corn, soy and wheat are used to bulk up an estimated 75% of processed foods found on supermarket shelves and these just happen to be the most common genetically modified crops.
However, I've been searching supermarket isles and products and have not yet seen a label that states the product contains GM ingredients, how can this be?
Well there are exemptons to GE food labeling that are detailed in the fine print of the food standards document 1.5.2 which says that highly refined ingredients such as cooking oils, sugars and starches found in most processed foods, do not have to be declared on labels.
Also, if less than 1% of GM material is found in each ingredient of a product, through cross contamination, this too does not have to be declared.
Another loop hole is the identification of genetically modified feed given to animals.
Approximately 80% of GM crops end up as animal feed so it's likely that non-organic chickens, eggs, yoghurt and even honey contain GM material, a fact that will not show up on the label.
It is however currently illegal to sell animal meats that have been genetically modified.
Recently COLES made a decision to stop GM feed going to chickens sold in their supermarkets and this decision was made due to public pressure.
GM crops and ingredients have been approved for use in this country based on Toxocology reports provided by the multinational companies who create, patent and sell GM seeds.
There is a distinct lack of adequate independant testing being done on the effect that these genes have on both human health, the environment and wildlife for fear of a price rise.
So, what do we do if like the Europeans we decide to avoid GM foods?
Ask the questions and suppliers will respond, there are many wonderful producers of food out there who are shunning GM ingredients, you just have to take the time to make a phone call and check it out.
There is no way they GM crops can flourish if consumers will not buy them, it's as simple as that. If we demand safe, fresh food then that is what we will get.
Buying organic and biodynamic foods assures that GM feed and seeds have not been used, so if your serious about avoiding these foods you will need to transfer over to organic meats and dairy, which has been proven not to be as expensive as people think.
One supermarket representative believes that most products in the supermarket will contain GM ingredients in the near future and certainly more and more crops are being grown in Australia every year.
Once geneticaly modified crops infiltrate the biosphere they won't every go away and we will only be able to see the consequences of this experiment in future years when it will be too late to do anything.
Next year there will be and independent review on the food labelling that will include how GM is identified, perhaps things will go the way of the Europeans where every GM ingredient and contaminated equipment used in the production of a product must be labelled.
So until this type of transparency is available in Australia and adequate investigation of the effects of these gene foods are done, you may wish to avoid being part of a random uncontrolled or policed experiment and buy fresh GM free food.
Remember every food we choose and ever bite we take has an impact on someone, somewhere, so make it the best choice ever.
You can go to www.truefood.org for more details and print off chart that shows common products that contain GM ingredients, such as Freddo Frogs and Blackmores supplements.
The Big Chill
Wed 28 Apr
I know, it's getting cold. There are a few brave souls still walking around in sandals, in the vain hope that the day will get warmer but for the rest of us, socks are officially on and boots are out and about.
Apparently, because of my British origins, I'm not entitled to complain about the cold, should'nt you be used to it by now is the usual cattle call. But every year when those first few cold night's arrive, I never feel like I'm quite ready for them.
The blessing that arrives with these shorter days and chilly night's, is the novelty of the open fire once again and the return of my favourite foods. I just love soups, stews, and roasted vegetables, I guess you can take the girl out of England... Curling up on the sofa with a bowl of bramley crumble, hot from the oven, is just sheer exquisite pleasure.
I make mine with a gluten free topping which is light and wholesome. Simply grind up a handful or two of fresh nuts, I'm mad on hazelnuts at the moment, mix it with coconut or other gluten free flour and some desicated coconut if you like it.
Then add enough rice bran oil and a tablespoon of maple syrup to make a crumbly textured topping. Sprinkle this over some finely sliced bramley apples, which have been doused in a little lemon and apple juice and sprinkled with cinnamon.
Cover with foil and slow bake on a moderate oven until the apples have softened, then finish off without the foil to produce a crispy top.
Slip on some warm socks and share with someone special, guaranteed to warm your cockles, enjoy!
Ooops I did it again!
Sat 09 Jan
