|
Q: I can't find the non-GE foods listed on the True Food Shopping List in stores near me. What can I do?
A: It's true that many mainstream supermarkets do not carry many foods made by natural and organic producers who avoid GE ingredients. One way to change this is to talk to the manager at your local supermarket. Polite requests from concerned customers can go a long way towards bringing alternatives to your store.
Here is a Sample Letter to a Supermarket
You may want to do some research first: find out what natural products distributors serve your area, and bring your store manager a catalogue, along with the True Food Shopping List. Let the store manager know that you will be regular buyers of these alternatives. More and more mainstream stores are making shelf space for natural and organic products, which are the fastest growing sector of the food industry. Taking action with even a small group of customers can have an impact.
Another option is to start a buying club. Many distributors will bring natural food to your door, if you join with others who also want true food. Check distributors' policies to see what they require for a minimum order and how often they deliver. This can be a great way to get true food at wholesale prices!
Q: Some foods that I think are GE foods are also not on the GE foods list, and my favorite organic brand is not on the non-GE list. Why?
A: There are over 30,000 food products on American supermarket shelves. The True Food Shopping List is not a complete guide, but a starting point for consumers who want to know what is in many food products in their stores. We will update the List as we get new information and as company policies evolve.
You can help us keep the list up-to-date. Contact a food company you are curious about, ask about their policy on genetically engineered food and let us know what you find out.
Q: Why aren't store brands from my supermarket listed?
A: Individual store brand products are not listed, but many supermarket policies for their store brand products are noted in the introduction to the DIY Supermarket Campaign. If your store is listed, chances are that any of their store brand products made with corn, soy, canola or cottonseed ingredients are GE foods.
Q: What is the best way to avoid GE food?
A: Buying whole foods and buying organic food are the best ways to avoid GE food. Most fresh fruit and vegetables, and whole grains and beans, are not genetically engineered, and organic food is, by definition, produced without genetic engineering.
When buying packaged food, look for common genetically engineered ingredients. If these are not organic (or listed on the package as non-GE), chances are these are GE foods. Also make sure to look for ingredients derived from GE foods such as corn oil, corn syrup, corn starch; soy protein, soy oil, lecithin, soy sauce, cottonseed or canola oil.
Q: What can I do to stop genetically engineered food and bring sustainable alternatives to my area?
A: There are many ways to help bring true food to your community. The best way to connect your local action with thousands of others across the country is to join the free True Food Network. Network members receive free action alerts and regular newsletter updates to stay involved in the True Food fight.
The free True Food Action Kit has ideas for bringing True Food to your schools, restaurants, supermarkets and more.
You can also put direct pressure on food companies. Consumer pressure can make food companies change. Many companies, like Frito-Lay and McDonalds, have taken steps to eliminate some GE foods. When True Food Network found GE ingredients in Gerber baby food, the company announced that it would eliminate all GE ingredients from its products. Now we are calling on Kellogg's to follow suit. Call Kellogg's at 1-800-962-1413 and ask the company to stop using GE foods. Also, make sure to visit our online Action Center.
|
