Yvonne, most non-technical American are likely to think you mean foods from General Mills.
Actually, even though I am aware of the usage -- Genetically Modified -- I did for a moment too!
My understanding is that GM foods sold in this country currently are only labelled as such if the manufacturer chooses.
Here 's a rather inflamatory site that wants to change that. OTOH,
here is one I consider a bit less sensationalized, and
here is a scientific one.
In fact, iirc, the fact that we have a large amount of GM foods mixed into all kinds of things is a major trade issue. The primary example (and I think the one with the largest market penetration) is soybeans. Small amounts of various soybean-derived products are added to an amazing number of processed foods. Some large percentage of these soybeans are GM.
The reason (as the third website I linked to explains) these foods are not generally labeled here, is that the FDA considers them to have no unsafe additives -- they only have additives that are GRAS (generally regarded as safe).
Consumers here wishing to be certain they are not consuming GM foods often choose the organic option (when there is one). (Which makes sense, because if GM foods concern you, odds are that pesticides worry you too!
) In addition, some companies (such as baby food manufacturers) have pledged not to use GM foods in their priducts.
Consumers wishing to
choose GM foods have a bit of a harder time.
Because what the American market has clearly indicated is this: we don't care if there's a bit of GM stuff in there somewhere, if we don't know about it; but if you label it as GM, we won't buy it.
Rarely has there been such a spectacular market failure as
the Flavr Savr tomato , the first GM food introduced to the US market.
I could, of course, point out that GM is a rather arbitrary designation. Farmers and scientists alike have been tinkering with the genes of crops and animals for centuries. GM processes simply speed things up.
Of course, if new allergens are introduced, that is a concern. Otherwise, I think the FDA has the right idea.
[Edit: post #333! Any anti-GM folks will probably consider that appopos!
)
