GMOs, or genetically modified organisms, are created with gene splicing techniques of biotechnology (also known as genetic engineering), merging DNA from different species of plants or animals and creating combinations that cannot occur naturally or in traditional cross breeding. Traditional cross breeding, such as hybridization and selection, has been popular in agriculture for centuries. The technology required to genetically modify food and animals in a lab was commercialized in the 1970s, and the first commercial sale of a genetically modified food is typically attributed to Calgene in 1994, with their Flavr Savr delayed-ripening tomato.

 

Over time, the focus of GMOs in food turned to cash crops of high demand for farmers, such as corn, canola, cotton seed oil and soybean. Now, GMO food is everywhere. According to the USDA, 85 percent of soy, 40 percent of corn and 75 percent of canola produced in the United States are GMOs. For the most part, today’s GMO food is bred for tolerance to the herbicide glyphosate, or as it’s branded, Roundup. Essentially, GMOs bred with tolerance to glyphosate allows farmers’ cash crops to grow while the competing weeds that try to grow around the crops are killed.

 

With just this knowledge of GMO prevalence, there appears to be no problem. Where, then, is the demand for non-GMO food, drinks and dietary supplements coming from? On one hand, there are increasing health concerns associated with GMO foods, and on the other, there is the resulting GMO food-labeling controversy. Both of these have had effects on myriad aspects of the market, including the way food is marketed to consumers and how to go about sourcing non-GMO ingredients for food.

 

On the topic of health concerns, many crops with genetically engineered tolerance to herbicides, such as Roundup, are classified as “safe,” however there are no long-term studies available to provide proof of safety for human consumption. Combine this information with the fact that, by and large, the long-term effects of GMOs on human health are unknown, and what you get is a growing uneasiness in the minds of consumers about GMO foods.

 

There are some studies that have been released that call into question the safety of GMOs, seemingly validating consumers’ fears about their health. As an example, critics point to findings of the journal Reproductive Toxicology in their “Maternal and fetal exposure to pesticides associated to genetically modified foods in Eastern Townships of Quebec,” which detected BT toxin, the toxin used in GMO corn, in the blood of pregnant women and their babies.

 

Critics also point to the reproduction of GMO crops and the crossbreeding with natural varieties of the same crop, also known as genetic contamination. A studied published in the journal Nature found that BT corn has contaminated indigenous corn in Oaxaca, Mexico. Critics of GMO foods also often claim that genetic engineering can disrupt the functions of neighboring genes, giving rise to toxic or allergenic molecules and lowering the value of the food.

 

Consumers have also grown weary of the benefits of GMOs, as companies such as Monsanto and Syngenta have oversold them. Many people feel that having GMO seeds patented has concentrated the power in the hands a few corporations and marginalized smaller farms.

 

This rise in consumer awareness and aversion to GMO products has led to a controversy among the FDA, Environmental Protection Agency and the USDA, stemming from calls to require labels that indicate foods containing GMOs. As it currently stands, the FDA does not require a label for genetically engineered foods. However, due to consumer demands, some manufacturers choose to specifically label non-GMO foods as such. This has pushed demand for non-GMO ingredients even further, as these products have become particularly popular among consumers.

Since the demand for non-GMO foods and products is apparent, it seems logical that that demand should be met. However, dealing with challenges such as supply shortages, poor crops due to bad weather or drought, and higher prices presents problems. The prevalence of GMOs in the commodity grain market and the limited availability of verified non-GMO feed makes sourcing non-GMO ingredients somewhat difficult. Therefore, when you’re looking for non-GMO grains and ingredients, you should know exactly what to look for in potential suppliers.

 

Verification of a third party non-GMO supplier, such as certifications from the Non-GMO Project or Identify Preservation (IP), is the first thing to look for in a potential supplier. On top of a certificate, you could also require that your potential supplier supply proof, such as GMO test results, should you require it. Third party verifications are seemingly becoming more important in terms of the downstream market, but they also allow you to market and label your foods as GMO-free with absolute certainty.

 

You should also check to see if potential suppliers have any documented system that aids in proper segregation of goods, as well as recognized quality standards, as to avoid cross-contamination. Traceability is also, naturally, important, as showing an entire timeline of a supplier’s products can help confirm their claims. In that same vein, approaching the sourcing of non-GMO ingredients with an international perspective can help. Knowing where ingredients and products come from as well as the non-GMO laws of other countries all help you ensure that you’re getting what you paid for — non-GMO ingredients from your suppliers.

 

Lastly, experience and a successful track record in supplying non-GMO goods are also signs of reliable suppliers; basically the same traits you’d look for in any supplier. When you choose a supplier, you want to be sure that they can deliver.

 

Going completely non-GMO requires dedication, considering the various challenges and high costs associated with the process at this time. However, with controversy over labeling and prevalent health concerns surging through the market, a move to non-GMO ingredients should be considered an option to look at when forecasting for the future of your business.