Are you eating Gmo Foods? It’s highly probable. Genetically modified organisms (GMOs), also frequently referred to as bioengineered foods, have become a significant part of our food supply. Many common ingredients Americans consume daily are derived from GMO crops, including cornstarch, corn syrup, canola oil, soybean oil, granulated sugar, and corn oil. Even some fresh produce, like potatoes, papayas, summer squash, apples, and pink pineapples, are available in GMO varieties. While GMOs are widespread in our diets, the majority of GMO crops cultivated in the United States are actually used to feed animals.
To help consumers navigate the landscape of GMO foods, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) provides a comprehensive list of bioengineered foods available globally. Furthermore, the National Bioengineered Food Disclosure Standard is bringing increased transparency through “bioengineered” labels appearing on many food products.
Understanding GMOs from Farm to Fork
Where are GMOs Commonly Found?
You can delve deeper into where GMOs are found by downloading this PDF: 131KB. This resource provides further insights into the prevalence of GMOs in our food system.
GMO Crops: A Snapshot of U.S. Agriculture
For a visual overview of GMO crop adoption in the United States, explore this infographic PDF: 152KB. It offers a clear picture of the GMO crops that are commercially available.
What GMO Crops Are Prevalent in the United States?
While the variety of GMO crops grown in the U.S. is relatively limited, certain GMOs constitute a large proportion of the total acreage for those crops. Soybeans, corn, sugar beets, canola, and cotton are prime examples. These GMO versions have become dominant in American agriculture.
In 2020, an impressive 94% of all planted soybeans were GMO soybeans, highlighting their widespread adoption. Similarly, GMO cotton accounted for 96% of all cotton planted, and 92% of corn acreage was dedicated to GMO corn. These figures from 2020 underscore the significant role of GMOs in key commodity crops.
Looking back to 2013, GMO canola represented 95% of all canola planted, and GMO sugar beets were even more dominant, making up 99.9% of the total sugar beet harvest. This near-complete adoption in sugar beets demonstrates the agricultural sector’s shift towards GMO varieties for certain crops.
It’s important to remember that the majority of these GMO crops are not directly consumed as fresh produce. Instead, they are processed into ingredients that find their way into a vast array of food products. Cornstarch from GMO corn and sugar from GMO sugar beets are just two examples of how GMO crops become components of processed foods.
Let’s explore some of the major GMO crops in the U.S. in more detail:
Corn: As the most extensively cultivated crop in the United States, corn is overwhelmingly GMO. The primary genetic modifications in GMO corn are for insect pest resistance and herbicide tolerance. Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) corn is a notable example. This GMO corn produces proteins from the bacterium Bacillus thuringiensis, which are toxic to specific insect pests like the European corn borer. Crucially, these Bt proteins are harmless to humans, pets, livestock, and beneficial insects such as ladybugs. Organic farmers also utilize these same Bt proteins as a natural insecticide. GMO Bt corn effectively reduces the need for synthetic insecticide sprays while still protecting the crop from insect damage. While a portion of GMO corn is used in processed foods and beverages, the largest share is used as animal feed for livestock like cattle and poultry like chickens.
Soybean: The vast majority of soybeans grown in the U.S. are genetically modified. Similar to corn, GMO soybeans are primarily destined for animal feed, particularly for poultry and livestock. Soybean oil production is another major use for GMO soybeans. Furthermore, soy-based ingredients like lecithin, emulsifiers, and proteins derived from GMO soybeans are common components in processed foods, contributing to texture and stability.
Cotton: The development of GMO cotton varieties resistant to bollworms played a crucial role in revitalizing the cotton industry, particularly in regions like Alabama. Beyond providing a reliable source of fiber for the textile industry, GMO cotton also yields cottonseed oil, which is widely used in packaged foods and in the food service industry for frying. Additionally, GMO cottonseed meal and hulls serve as valuable components in animal feed formulations.
Potato: Certain GMO potato varieties have been engineered to address challenges like insect pests and diseases. Beyond pest and disease resistance, some GMO potatoes are designed to minimize bruising and browning. This is a significant benefit during packaging, storage, transportation, and even in home kitchens after cutting. While browning doesn’t affect the nutritional quality or safety of potatoes, it often leads to unnecessary food waste as consumers may mistakenly discard browned potatoes believing they are spoiled.
Papaya: In the 1990s, the ringspot virus posed a severe threat to Hawaii’s papaya crop, nearly devastating the entire industry. The introduction of the GMO Rainbow papaya, engineered for ringspot virus resistance, proved to be a game-changer. This GMO innovation effectively saved papaya farming in Hawaii, allowing the industry to recover and thrive.
Summer Squash: GMO summer squash is engineered to resist certain plant viruses. While squash was among the early GMOs commercially available, its cultivation remains less widespread compared to other GMO crops like corn and soybeans.
Canola: GMO canola is primarily processed into cooking oil and margarine, making it a staple in many kitchens and food manufacturing processes. Canola seed meal, a byproduct of oil extraction, is also utilized in animal feed. Canola oil is valued in the food industry for its ability to enhance food consistency in packaged products. The primary genetic modification in GMO canola is herbicide resistance, simplifying weed control for farmers.
Alfalfa: GMO alfalfa is predominantly used as feed for cattle, especially dairy cows. The key trait in GMO alfalfa is herbicide resistance. This allows farmers to effectively manage weeds in alfalfa fields, which can significantly reduce alfalfa yield and diminish the nutritional quality of hay.
Apple: Specific GMO apple varieties have been developed to resist browning after slicing or cutting. This trait is aimed at reducing food waste, as consumers often perceive browned apples as being spoiled, even though they are still safe and nutritious to eat.
Sugar Beet: Sugar beets are the source of granulated sugar found in most households. A significant portion – over half – of the granulated sugar sold in grocery stores is derived from GMO sugar beets. Herbicide resistance is the primary GMO trait in sugar beets, providing farmers with an efficient tool for weed management.
Pink Pineapple: The GMO pink pineapple stands out for its distinctive color. It was genetically engineered to produce pink flesh by increasing levels of lycopene. Lycopene is a naturally occurring pigment found in pineapples as well as tomatoes (giving them their red color) and watermelons (contributing to their pink hue).
What About Animals Eating GMO Feed?
A significant majority – over 95% – of animals raised for meat and dairy production in the United States are fed with GMO crops. Numerous independent studies have consistently demonstrated that there are no detectable differences in the health and safety outcomes for animals consuming GMO feed compared to those consuming non-GMO feed. Critically, the DNA from GMO feed does not transfer into the animal that consumes it. Therefore, animals that eat GMO food do not become genetically modified themselves. If such DNA transfer were to occur, animals would constantly be incorporating the DNA of everything they eat, regardless of whether it’s GMO or non-GMO. To illustrate, cows do not transform into grass, and chickens do not become corn, despite these being staples in their diets.
Similarly, the DNA from GMO animal feed does not end up in the meat, eggs, or milk produced by these animals. Extensive research confirms that foods such as eggs, dairy products, and meat derived from animals fed GMO feed are nutritionally equivalent, equally safe, and of the same quality as foods from animals raised on non-GMO feed.
For more in-depth information, explore GMO Crops and Food for Animals.
Ensuring the Safety of Animal Food: Who is Responsible?
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) plays a central regulatory role in ensuring the safety of both GMO and non-GMO animal food. Within the FDA, the Center for Veterinary Medicine is specifically tasked with managing this responsibility. The FDA mandates that all animal food, mirroring the regulations for human food, must be safe for animal consumption, produced under sanitary conditions, free from harmful substances, and accurately labeled.
Are There GMO Animals in Our Food Supply?
Yes, there are approved GMO animals intended for human consumption. The FDA has authorized the sale of AquAdvantage Salmon to consumers. This salmon has been genetically modified to reach market size faster than conventional salmon. Additionally, the FDA has approved genetic alterations in the GalSafe pig for both human food and potential therapeutic applications. The GalSafe pig is engineered to be devoid of detectable alpha-gal sugar on the surface of its cells. This is significant because individuals with Alpha-gal syndrome (AGS) can experience allergic reactions to alpha-gal sugar found in red meat like beef, pork, and lamb. The FDA has rigorously evaluated and concluded that food derived from AquAdvantage Salmon and GalSafe pigs is as safe and nutritious as food from their non-GMO counterparts.
Beyond Food: Other Applications of GMOs
While “GMO” often brings food to mind, the techniques used to create GMOs have broader applications, including medicine. Genetic engineering, the very process behind GMOs, was initially employed to produce human insulin, a life-saving medication for diabetes management. Medicines developed using genetic engineering undergo a thorough FDA approval process, requiring rigorous proof of safety and effectiveness before they are approved for human use. GMOs also find applications in industries like textiles. Certain GMO cotton plants are cultivated to produce cotton fiber used in fabrics for clothing and various other materials.
Learn more about the regulatory framework surrounding GMOs in the United States by visiting How GMOs Are Regulated in the United States.
