NATIONAL NON-GMO MONTH
October is a month of harvest and National Non-GMO Month promotes awareness about Genetically Modified Organisms (GMO). GMOs are also known as bioengineered crops and food. A GMO is an organism that has been genetically modified in a laboratory using bioengineering. GMO foods have been on the market since 1994, but food labeling regarding GMOs didn’t arrive until 2016.
GMO Timeline
- 1982 – The FDA approves genetical modified human insulin – the first consumer GMO product.
- 1992 – FDA updates its policy to state that foods from GMO plants must meet the same safety standards as non-GMO foods.
- 1994 – Calgene introduces the first GMO crop – the Flavr-Savor tomato.
- 2003 – The World Health Organization (WHO) and the United Nations develop international guidelines and standards for GMO food safety.
- 2016 – The U.S. Congress passes the National Bioengineered Food Disclosure Law requiring labeling of genetically engineered foods.
A variety of foods in the U.S. are genetically engineered and many of them are ingredients in the foods we eat. Some of the most common GMO crops are:
- Soybeans
- Corn
- Sugar beets
- Canola
- Cotton
But there are several more and the Agricultural Marketing Service of the USDA maintains a list that consumers can review. The observance provides an opportunity to learn more about food labeling and to exercise their consumer choice.
HOW TO OBSERVE – #NationalNonGMOMonth
During Non-GMO Month, explore the food labels at the grocery store. Learn more about GMOs and their history. Share your experiences using #NationalNonGMOMonth. on social media.
NATIONAL NON-GMO MONTH HISTORY
The Non-GMO Project launched National Non-GMO Month in 2010 to raise awareness about GMOs, food choice, and labeling information.