How to read your food labels

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Buying groceries is one of my most common errands. But after watching 'Seeds of Death', I've come to wonder about the ingredients my family and I are consuming. What kinds of hidden genetically-modified organisms (GMO) could be in my food?

The good news is that according to MESYM.com , "Malaysia is one of 64 countries in the world that mandate labelling on GM food." Speaking of which, I was thrilled to see a non-GMO label on a packet of brown, red and black rice. EcoBrown's Gold is not only tasty and full of fibre, but also grown in Kedah.

Unfortunately, food products will not be labelled GMO if the GMO content is not more than 3%. From the MESYM.com website, the list of exempted products include:

• Highly refined foods e.g. refined oil, plant sterol, boiled sweet, sugar, corn syrup, honey and dextrin (other than that with altered characteristics).
• When novel DNA and/or novel protein is not present in the final food:
  • Processing aids and food additives (e.g. dextrin).
  • Acidic foods (e.g. pickles and vinegar).
  • Salty foods (e.g. soy sauce).
• Food from animals fed with GM animal feed (e.g. meat, milk, eggs).
• Foods produced from fermentation using GMM (Genetically Modified Microorganisms) not present in the final products (e.g. vitamins, amino acid).
• Foods produced with GM enzyme (e.g. cheese, bakery products produced with amylase).

Tips

1. Always read food labels.
2. If you purchase any food products from America, ensure that it is non-GMO Project verified.
3. Support local growers who practise chemical-free farming.
4. Grow your own veggies, herbs and fruits! This way, you know exactly what you’re eating.
5. Drink milk from cows which consume non-GMO feed, such as Bright Cow.

I hope that these tips will help you make healthier food choices. Being connected to the story of your food will mean that you and your family are more likely to consume food which nourishes and heals.

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