GE Sugar & Safer Non-Organic Sugar Producers
Written by AdministratorOver the last year, you may have heard about the forced introduction of genetically engineered sugar beets into the food supply in 2008. The health and environmental effects of these crops are relatively unknown and have historically resulted in an increase in pesticide use.
Most of the mainstream table sugar, cereal and candy companies have refused to ban genetically engineered sugar in their products, including American Crystal and Kelloggs. Here are two tips to help consumers:
1) Purchase organic sugar. The USDA organic standards do not allow foods labeled as “organic” to contain ingredients derived from genetically engineered crops.2) According to Ken Roseboro, the editor of The Organic & Non-GMO Report, two non-organic sugar companies that are still GE-free are Spreckels Sugar in California and Rogers Sugar in Alberta. (Unfortunately, Spreckels is only processing non-GMO beets because sugar beet farmers in California do not yet have GM sugar beet seed varieties. According to Roseboro, “I spoke with the plant manager and he said farmers would plant GM varieties as soon as they are available possibly by next year. Unless farmers are given extra incentives to grow non-GMO beets they will grow GM.”)