Genetically engineered or modified food is a technique that takes genes from one species and inserts them into another species to give the food a particular quality. For example a tomato can be made extra juicy by inserting genes from an animal or a strain of wheat can be made more resistant to weeds or pests.

This could never happen in nature or through traditional breeding that brought us new wheat varieties or cattle breeds. Potential impacts on the environment include growth of superweeds, the killing of beneficial as well as pest species and creation of new viral diseases.

Food buyers also take risks with new genes and proteins never found in food before and higher levels of chemical residues. Some GM foods containing corn have been withdrawn from the shelves in the US because of potential allergic reactions in people. In short the risks to human health are so large that insurance companies will not insure the industry (source Australian Conservati0n Foundation).

GM foods include soybeans, soy bean oil, canola and canola oil, corn, potatoes, sugarbeets, cotton and cotton seed oil largely exported from the US. Theses can find their way into a huge range of processed  and snack foods untested and unlabelled.

You may notice on some foods such as tofu and soya milk that many companies are now stating on the label that the food is free of genetic modification. But how many foods contain GM ingredients that we don’t know about?  

In the UAE GM foods are banned but there are no regulations requiring food manufacturers to label food that contain GM ingredients. However buying GM foods should be a matter of choice for the consumer. But until labeling laws require all foods to state whether they contain GM, consumers need to read food labels carefully and become more informed about the potential contamination of the food supply.

Organic food

Organic food is real food. It is grown without artificial pesticides, fertilizers or antibiotics in soils that are nutrient rich. This means that the food tastes better because it contains more nutrients from the soil in which it was grown and organic producers do not force-grow fruit and vegetables by filling them with water. So with each mouthful of organic food, you are getting a burst of chemical-free flavour packed full of nutrients.

Organic food is the fastest growing food sector in the US (despite the US governments support of GM food!). In the UAE, organic food is widely available. The fresh, natural taste of organic food means you don’t have to do a lot to it. Simple cooking and preparation methods enhance the taste while saving time and makes eating a pleasure rather than a chore.

Why not visit the Organic foods and Cafe (Satwa or the Greens www.organicfoodsandcafe.com and taste the difference.

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How do you know it is organic?


The products in the Organic Foods and Café have all been specially chosen for three main reasons. They are certified organic by the grower, the quality and therefore taste is consistently high and they are produced by small family run businesses often third generation that live and breathe the organic principles of farming.

The label should say that the produce is certified organic or certified biodynamic. Look for the logo and name of one of the accredited organic certifiers such as the soil association, Demeter or the USDA organics.

It can take from three years to ten years for a farm to be certified organic and inspected and regulated by the certifier. No artificial chemicals are used and the farmer is managing in a way that cares for the environment and the quality of the produce.


What is the difference between free range and organic?

All organic produce is an enhanced form of free-range, so when you buy organic not only have the animals been living in humane conditions the animal's diet is organic. Certified organic means animals and chickens have access to organic pasture and feed and have sympathetic housing conditions. No antibiotics, genetically modified ingredients or growth hormones are used.


For more information:

www.whyorganic.org  

www.ifoam.org

www.greenpeace.org

www.truefoodnow.org

www.organicfood.co.uk

www.soilassociation.co.uk

www.thecampaign.org

www.organicconsumers.org

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