GMO Watermelons?

[blueberrypurple]

With the amount of watermelons I've been eating, I can't afford to get them organic for now.
They all say seedless but still have some white seeds and maybe some black seeds in them and are shipped from Costa Rica, Gutamala, Mexico and the US. I can't find too much information on the net about these locations. Are any of them GMO?

And also, what should I watch out for when checking for GMO in cantaloups and honeydew?

[Raw Angel Mom]

GMO will start with the code "8"
Organic start with "9"

Conventional start with "4" or"3"

[Daisyhead]

Thanks for the code key, Raw Angel Mom. I never knew those. They are very helpful.

[Aleesha Sattva]

good to know (about the codes)

[Raw Angel Mom]

You need to read this.

http://www.wikihow.com/Avoid-Genetically-Modified-Foods

[streetsurfer]

You will get some white and small black seeds in a seedless watermelon. The larger stickers on some of the seedless brands will have this printed on them even, so that part is normal. They are nowhere near the quantity you'd see in seeded varieties.

[CaraS]

There seems to be a lot of confusion about what GMO actually means. Genetically Modified Organisms are ones in which the genes of one organism are spliced with the genes of another. Selective plant breeding and hybridization is not GMO. There are actually not that many crops (thus far) that we need to worry about, especially as raw food eaters. The biggest offenders (corn, wheat, soy, and canola) are most common in processed foods so eating a raw diet makes it a lot easier to avoid them.

Here's a link with great info about what foods could possibly be GMO: http://www.nongmoproject.org/learn-more/what-is-gmo/

[MysticTree]

What a refreshing change it is to see someone else saying this. I get so tired of banging on about this misconception :)

[Raw Angel Mom]

There seems to be a lot of confusion about what GMO actually means. Genetically Modified Organisms are ones in which the genes of one organism are spliced with the genes of another. Selective plant breeding and hybridization is not GMO. There are actually not that many crops (thus far) that we need to worry about, especially as raw food eaters. The biggest offenders (corn, wheat, soy, and canola) are most common in processed foods so eating a raw diet makes it a lot easier to avoid them.

Here's a link with great info about what foods could possibly be GMO: http://www.nongmoproject.org/learn-more/what-is-gmo/


This link doesn't work

[MysticTree]

works ok for me

[Aleesha Sattva]

Here's the article (linked above)

WHAT IS GMO?
Agricultural Crops That Have a Risk of Being GMO

For consumers, it can be difficult to stay up-to-date on food ingredients that are at-risk of being genetically modified, as the list of at-risk agricultural ingredients is frequently changing. As part of the Non-GMO Project’s commitment to informed consumer choice, we work diligently to maintain an accurate list of risk ingredients.

Agricultural products are segmented into two groups: (1) those that are high-risk of being GMO because they are currently in commercial production, and (2) those that have a monitored risk because suspected or known incidents of contamination have occurred and/or the crops have genetically modified relatives in commercial production with which cross-pollination (and consequently contamination) is possible. For more information on the Non-GMO Project’s testing and verification of risk ingredients and processed foods, please see the Non-GMO Project Standard.

High-Risk Crops (in commercial production; ingredients derived from these must be tested every time prior to use in Non-GMO Project Verified products (as of December 2011):

Alfalfa (first planting 2011)
Canola (approx. 90% of U.S. crop)
Corn (approx. 88% of U.S. crop in 2011)
Cotton (approx. 90% of U.S. crop in 2011)
Papaya (most of Hawaiian crop; approximately 988 acres)
Soy (approx. 94% of U.S. crop in 2011)
Sugar Beets (approx. 95% of U.S. crop in 2010)
Zucchini and Yellow Summer Squash (approx. 25,000 acres)
ALSO high-risk: animal products (milk, meat, eggs, honey, etc.) because of contamination in feed.

Monitored Crops (those for which suspected or known incidents of contamination have occurred, and those crops which have genetically modified relatives in commercial production with which cross-pollination is possible; we test regularly to assess risk, and move to “High-Risk” category for ongoing testing if we see contamination):

Beta vulgaris (e.g., chard, table beets)
Brassica napa (e.g., rutabaga, Siberian kale)
Brassica rapa (e.g., bok choy, mizuna, Chinese cabbage, turnip, rapini, tatsoi)
Curcubita (acorn squash, delicata squash, patty pan)
Flax
Rice
Common Ingredients Derived from GMO Risk Crops
Amino Acids, Aspartame, Ascorbic Acid, Sodium Ascorbate, Vitamin C, Citric Acid, Sodium Citrate, Ethanol, Flavorings (“natural” and “artificial”), High-Fructose Corn Syrup, Hydrolyzed Vegetable Protein, Lactic Acid, Maltodextrins, Molasses, Monosodium Glutamate, Sucrose, Textured Vegetable Protein (TVP), Xanthan Gum, Vitamins, Yeast Products.

You may also be wondering about…

Tomatoes: In 1994, genetically modified Flavr Savr tomatoes became the first commercially produced GMOs. They were brought out of production just a few years later, in 1997, due to problems with flavor and ability to hold up in shipping. There are no genetically engineered tomatoes in commercial production, and tomatoes are considered “low-risk” by the Non-GMO Project Standard.
Potatoes: Genetically modified NewLeaf potatoes were introduced by Monsanto in 1996. Due to consumer rejection several fast-food chains and chip makers, the product was never successful and was discontinued in the spring of 2001. There are no genetically engineered potatoes in commercial production, and potatoes are considered “low-risk” by the Non-GMO Project Standard.
Wheat: There is not currently, nor has there ever been, any genetically engineered wheat on the market. Of all “low-risk” crops, this is the one most commonly (and incorrectly) assumed to be GMO. It is a key commodity crop, and the biotech industry is pushing hard to bring GMO varieties to market. The Non-GMO Project closely watches all development on this front.
Salmon: A company called AquaBounty is currently petitioning the FDA to approve its genetically engineered variety of salmon, which has met with fierce consumer resistance. Find out more here.
Pigs: A genetically engineered variety of pig, called Enviropig has been developed by scientists at the University of Guelph. A February 2010 statement issued by the University of Guelph contained the following information: ”Applications to other federal agencies to assess the safety of Enviropigs for human food and animal feed were currently under review both in the U.S. and Canada and there is no set date when or if these reviews will conclude.”

[SunshineMN]

Thanks for the codes, I wasn't really aware of that previously. I've never worried about hybrids myself. Cross pollination creates hybrids in normal nature anyhow. What we have now aren't the plants we had 5,000 years ago. I'd be more worried about the quality of the soil the plants are in and the toxic chemicals sprayed on them than that the plant is a hybrid, as long as the plant isn't mixed with other animal, human, bug, etc. genetics. I would think there's a reason a bug can't procreate with a corn plant.

The article says 88% of the corn crops are GMO but it doesn't state what kind of corn. Does anyone know if that includes sweet corn or is it more field corn or corn used for HFCS?

[MysticTree]

It means all types maize I think.

[SunshineMN]

I did a little searching, briefly though.

Wikipedia had this to say:

Sweet corn for human consumption
"Attribute" is the brand name for a line of Bt sweet corn. Seed is available only to large professional farmers who sign a stewardship agreement. The farmer must agree to not repackage or resell Attribute seed. Growers also must grow the corn exactly as directed. Herbicide-resistant sweet corn has not yet been released for sale.

After a little more searching it looks like this year might be the first GMO sweet corn crops (http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2011-08-04/monsanto-to-introduce-engineered-sweet-corn-in-u-s-this-year.html?cmpid=yhoo) coming to stores.

[blueberrypurple]

Very helpful information!! Thanks everyone!!!

[mpure]

nice info!

[delmar]

Thanks for the codes, I wasn't really aware of that previously. I've never worried about hybrids myself. Cross pollination creates hybrids in normal nature anyhow. What we have now aren't the plants we had 5,000 years ago. I'd be more worried about the quality of the soil the plants are in and the toxic chemicals sprayed on them than that the plant is a hybrid, as long as the plant isn't mixed with other animal, human, bug, etc. genetics. I would think there's a reason a bug can't procreate with a corn plant.

The article says 88% of the corn crops are GMO but it doesn't state what kind of corn. Does anyone know if that includes sweet corn or is it more field corn or corn used for HFCS?It is really not that hard to get seed corn, whether it be field corn, sweet corn or popcorn, that is not GMO. Heirloom seeds are readily available. There are even hybrid seed companies that offer varieties that are not GMO. If I remember correctly Golden Harvest is one such company.

[Raw Angel Mom]

works ok for me

Now it works ok for me too....

[Raw Angel Mom]

For the one that buy any produce in Canada or US, so far, if it says organic, it isn't GMO. Apparently in UK, they are more strict and it must be indicated if this is GMO. Sadly, if you buy a product that is organic, it isn't necessary GMO free because they are allowed to have a % of none organic product but that could be GMO. The product must indicate 100% organic to be sure it is GMO free.

Thank you for the article, i will read it more thoroughly. I was upset to see that we have to be careful with the alfalfa.

[blueberrypurple]

Yes, alfalfa is a huge one. Gosh, we should all just start planting our own food. How great that would be!!

[SunshineMN]

It is really not that hard to get seed corn, whether it be field corn, sweet corn or popcorn, that is not GMO. Heirloom seeds are readily available. There are even hybrid seed companies that offer varieties that are not GMO. If I remember correctly Golden Harvest is one such company.

That's good to know delmar, and if I had some where to garden I definitely would be using heirloom seeds. However, we just want the sweet corn to eat. I don't think I could grow sweet corn in the house, especially since we live in a mobile home. Does anyone sprout popcorn or other corn? Hmm... maybe grow it as sprouts in a flat like sunflower seeds?

[delmar]

I sprout corn to feed my birds and I have sprouted popcorn in my classroom as a demonstration. I really enjoy corn sprouts as a snack but you have to nibble the sprouts off the seed one at a time unless you like that big crunchy seed. I tried re-rinsing the seeds and growing more spouts with the same seed but that does not work. My guess would be that sweet corn may be a very nice sprout because the seeds would be softer and sweeter!
Still, if you do not have a place for a garden, I would try sprouting Amaranth (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amaranth_grain) I'm told the grain tastes like sweet corn and the seeds are a little smaller than wheat. Also, Amaranth not being a popular grain in North America, has never been genetically modified. Same story with millet.

[SunshineMN]

I ordered 5 lbs of dried sweet corn today so I'll find out I guess. LOL If nothing else we'll rehydrate it and eat it on salads.

Hehe, I'm the one that told you about amaranth. We've been sprouting it since January and we both love it. :D

[delmar]

I ordered 5 lbs of dried sweet corn today so I'll find out I guess. LOL If nothing else we'll rehydrate it and eat it on salads.

Hehe, I'm the one that told you about amaranth. We've been sprouting it since January and we both love it. :DWell than thanks for the heads up! I just ordered 5 lbs of amaranth seeds and One lb of quinoa.I don't know much about quinoa but I decided to try something else new while I was paying for shipping anyway. It should arrive on Wed.

[SunshineMN]

Our quinoa turned icky when we sprouted it. Someone (probably Mr. Raw) posted that you should only sprout it 24 hours. I haven't tried it again because I'm not sure what to do with it after it's sprouted. I'm thinking shredded carrots and raisin salad with quinoa in it though. I need to figure out how to make a yogurt or mayo type sauce with nut milk if it's possible.

Hope you like the amaranth as much as we do!

[Living Food]

Soak quinoa for a maximum of 4 hours, then sprout it for 24-48 hours. The tails should be a couple of millimeters long, but if they start to turn reddish then you've sprouted it for too long. Also rinse quinoa very well (until all of the white froth is gone) and three times a day.

Quinoa is relatively unique in that it is a grain-like (pseudograin, actually) food that has all the essential amino acids.

[delmar]

If it turns out I don't like the quinoa sprouts, I will plant some of it so I can try the greens. If I do like the sprouts I will certainly plant some of it so that I can harvest more seeds!

[MysticTree]

You'll love it :)

[SunshineMN]

Thanks Living Food, we'll have to try it again. I knew it had all the essential amino acids, that's why I was disappointed we failed to sprout it. I think we tried 2 or 3 times before we gave up.

delmar, I love the fact you are growing to collect the seeds! If we had room I would do the same. As it is, I have to get permission to even plant flowers here. I may try getting permission to grow a few amaranth along our shed though as most see them as ornamental flowers. I wouldn't think you'd need very many of them to get a years worth of seeds.

[streetsurfer]

pigweed or amaranth greens are edible too.

[delmar]

Thanks Living Food, we'll have to try it again. I knew it had all the essential amino acids, that's why I was disappointed we failed to sprout it. I think we tried 2 or 3 times before we gave up.

delmar, I love the fact you are growing to collect the seeds! If we had room I would do the same. As it is, I have to get permission to even plant flowers here. I may try getting permission to grow a few amaranth along our shed though as most see them as ornamental flowers. I wouldn't think you'd need very many of them to get a years worth of seeds.I was talking to an old farmer yesterday and I told him I had ordered 5 lbs of amaranth seed. He told me "that should be enough to plant about 40 acres." I'm pretty sure he was giving me a hard time. I am also pretty sure he has no idea how many seeds you can go through growing sprouts!

[SunshineMN]

It wouldn't surprise me if it was enough to plant 40 acres. The seeds are very very tiny but the plant itself can get quite large (up to 8 feet tall). I'd assume they need a fair amount of distance between each plant. For sprouting though, the instructions I have say to use a cup of seeds to grow 3-4 cups of sprouts, so you do go through it rather quickly if it becomes a staple.

[poundy]

Hate GMOs too. I find this site quite helpful and informative: http://www.nongmoshoppingguide.com/