Non-GMO Ingredients...A Hot Topic This Summer

In recent years, controversy has developed around the topic of genetically modified organisms (GMOs), predominantly regarding their role in food production. There are millions of global stakeholders in this debate, including consumers, governmental organizations, scientists, and corporations. Altogether, we must determine whether genetically modified foods are safe for human consumption and healthy for the ecology of our planet.

 In agriculture, GMOs are plants that have had their genetic material altered to produce a desired trait, such as herbicide resistance or improved shelf life. These traits allow farmers to increase the world food supply to meet the needs of our growing population, and proponents argue that genetically modified plants pose no greater threat to humans than their conventional counterparts. Opponents, on the other hand, feel that the potential long-term impact of genetically modified plants has not been taken into consideration, and question the neutrality of regulatory agencies. Many individuals in the middle ground hold that consumers have a right to know if food products contain genetically modified ingredients, and would prefer for this information to be available on the label.

From a food industry perspective, manufacturers must now choose whether or not to use genetically modified ingredients in their products. The consumer demand for non-GMO food products has been on the rise in recent years, and many companies have chosen to cater to this market. In fact, Whole Foods announced in March 2013 that all products sold in its stores must be labeled to alert consumers if they contain genetically modified ingredients. For this reason, suppliers have seen a drastic increase in sales of non-GMO ingredients to food manufacturers not wanting to lose sales. In May 2013, more than two million people in over 50 nations protested the use of GMOs in food. This is more than another dietary trend. Consumers worldwide have turned against genetically modified food.

If manufacturers want to meet the demand for non-GMO food, synthetic processing ingredients often derived from genetically modified plants, such as soy lecithin, will have to be replaced. RIBUS can make this transition easier by providing all-natural, non-GMO alternatives to common processing aids. Give consumers what they want while improving the quality of your product with RIBUS ingredients!

Sources:

http://www.non-gmoreport.com/articles/aug10/suppliers_and_demand_for_non-gmo_ingredients.php

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/05/27/business/food-companies-seeking-ingredients-that-arent-gene-altered.html?ref=geneticallymodifiedfood&_r=2&