Genetically modified food: Interesting facts about genetic engineering
Genetically modified food scares us humans. We do not know what products it is hidden in, or whether it is safe or dangerous. We have summarized some interesting facts about genetic engineering in food for you in the following article.
Is genetically modified food also grown in Germany?
To make crops more robust, there are genetic engineers who change their genetic makeup. They add new genes to the plant and help it achieve properties that it would not have had without genetic engineering.
- Genetic engineering is mainly used for crops. In addition to corn and rapeseed, this also includes soy, cotton and rice.
- These genetically modified plants are mainly grown in the USA, South America, Asia and South Africa. They are rarely found in Europe, including Germany, and if at all, then only in so-called test fields.
- Genetic engineering is intended to make plants more resistant to harmful insects or their control, the insect repellents. One example is Round up. Farmers are promised to generate higher yields as a result.
- There are few large corporations that dominate the market. Bayer and BASF are the best known.
Labeling requirements for genetically modified food
In order to inform the consumer, according to the EU regulation of 2004, food manufacturers are obliged to label genetically modified ingredients in their food.
- The label then says "genetically modified" or "made from genetically modified ...".
- The same applies to unpackaged goods at the weekly market, in restaurants and canteens. These provide information about genetically manipulated ingredients on signs and menus.
- However, there is no labeling requirement for meat, eggs or milk, because in this case no modified ingredient is included. The animals were only given genetically modified soy or corn meal to eat.
Genetic engineering also in our supermarkets
In the USA, customers consciously consume genetically modified food. Genetically manipulated animal feed, for example, means that GMO foods can now be found on the supermarket shelf in Germany.
- In this country, food manufacturers mostly do not openly advertise genetic engineering, even though this promises consumers, for example, less pesticide pollution.
- If a genetically modified ingredient remains in the product below 0.9 percent, this is also not subject to labeling.
- In Germany, chips, chocolate-containing foods or bag soups can also contain contamination from genetic engineering. The same applies to meat, eggs, milk and honey.
- If you want to be on the safe side, buy, for example, single-variety oils such as pure rapeseed or soybean oil or rely entirely on organic. Genetic engineering is prohibited in organic products, as is animal feed for animals that are later processed into organic meat.
Rewe is now introducing a new seal "without genetic engineering". You can read more about this in the next article.