World Wisdom: GMOs and Baby Formula

Similac, Enfamil, and Gerber Good Start - which combined account for more than 90 percent of all infant formula sales in the US - all use genetically modified ingredients. Commonly referred to as GMOs (genetically modified organisms), these ingredients have been banned or at least require a packaging label in more than 60 other countries including China, Mexico, Russia, and the entire European Union.

GMO Inside, a national, non-GMO coalition led by Green America, is calling on these brands' parent companies (Abbott Laboratories, Mead Johnson Nutrition, and Nestle), via an online petition, to remove GMO ingredients immediately as infants face particular health risks when it comes to consuming GMOs.

GMOs have never been proven safe for human consumption. Inadequate research has been conducted on the health impacts of GMOs on humans and infants; however, an increasing number of concerned parents and pediatricians have voiced that using GMOs in infant formula is far too large of a risk to take. Babies are particularly vulnerable when it comes to consuming GMOs as their digestive and immune systems are not fully developed and GMO crops have very high exposure to dangerous pesticides and herbicides such as Roundup. Infant livers do not reach maturity for about two years and therefore are less equipped to process toxins in the body, such as the high levels of chemicals used on genetically modified foods.

Adding insult to injury, these companies all spent money to oppose GMO labeling in California last year, thus obstructing a parent's right to know whether or not the first food they are feeding their newborns contains GMOs.

Unlike more than 60 countries around the world, the United States and Canada do not require companies to label and reveal their GMO ingredients to consumers. This means that American and Canadian babies are exposed to ingredients that parents in Europe, China, and elsewhere would never feed their children. In fact, due to these labeling requirements, all three companies offer non-GMO formula options to their consumers in Europe.

ABOUT GMO INSIDE:
GMO Inside is a coalition of businesses, organizations, and individuals that support a healthy, GMO-free food system. The GMO Inside steering committee is made up of the following organizations and individuals and convened by Green America:

Food Democracy Now! is a grassroots community dedicated to building a sustainable food system that protects our natural environment, sustains farmers and nourishes families.
GMO Free USA works to harness education, advocacy, and bold action to foster consumer rejection of genetically modified organisms, until they are proven safe.
Green America is the nation's leading green economy organization.

Institute for Responsible Technology (IRT) is a world leader in educating policy makers and the public about the documented risks of GM foods and crops.

Label GMOs advocates for transparency in the food supply and for clear and concise labeling of genetically modified organisms.

Nutiva is dedicated to a healthy and sustainable world, demonstrating its mission to nourish people and planet by using delicious organic ingredients, enriching the soil, and donating 1 percent of sales to sustainable-agriculture groups.

Vani Hari is a management consultant, food activist writer and a two time elected North Carolina delegate, endorsed by President Obama. Vani started foodbabe.com in April 2011 to spread information about what is really in the American food supply. She teaches people how to make the right purchasing decisions at the grocery store, how to live an organic lifestyle, and how to travel healthfully around the world.