Guide to Finding Non-Bioengineered and Non-GMO Snacks

Understanding Non-Bioengineered and GMO Snack Foods

There has been growing consumer demand for transparency about genetically modified organisms (GMOs) and bioengineered ingredients in foods. This has led to new USDA labeling regulations that require disclosure for bioengineered snacks and other products. For shoppers looking to avoid GMOs, it's important to understand what the new labels mean and how to find non-bioengineered snack options.

Defining GMOs and Bioengineered Foods

Genetically modified organisms (GMOs) refer to plants, animals, or microorganisms that have had their DNA altered through genetic engineering techniques. This is different from traditional breeding and mutation breeding methods.

Bioengineering is a broader term that encompasses different types of genetic modification, including modern biotechnology techniques like CRISPR gene editing. So all GMO crops are considered bioengineered, but not all bioengineered foods are GMOs.

Common GMO Crops

Many common snack ingredients come from GMO food crops like:

• Corn - 92% of US corn is genetically engineered.
• Soybeans - Over 90% of US soybeans are GMO.
• Sugar beets - GMO sugar beets provide about half of US sugar.
• Canola - 90% of canola grown in the US is genetically modified.

These crops are common sources of oils, protein, thickeners, sweeteners, and other additives used widely in packaged snack foods.

Non-GMO Labeling

Foods certified as non-GMO by third-party organizations like the Non-GMO Project must contain no detectable GMO ingredients. This label remains voluntary for food brands.

New USDA Bioengineered Food Disclosure

As of January 2022, the USDA requires food manufacturers, importers, and other entities to disclose the presence of bioengineered ingredients.

This labeling can take three forms:

• Text - "Bioengineered food," "Contains a bioengineered food ingredient," etc.
• USDA Symbol - A uniform symbol created by the USDA.
• Electronic Disclosure - Digital link, QR code, or text message for consumers to access more information.

There are exceptions for foods like meat, poultry, and egg products derived from animals fed bioengineered feed.

What the Labels Tell You

The "bioengineered" and "derived from bioengineering" statements only confirm the presence of bioengineered material in a product. They do not indicate:

• The amount of bioengineered content
• Which ingredients are bioengineered
• The country of origin of bioengineered ingredients

You need to look deeper and contact manufacturers to find out specifics if avoiding bioengineered ingredients is important to you.

Finding Non-Bioengineered and Non-GMO Snacks

For shoppers wishing to avoid bioengineered and GMO snack foods, here are some tips:

1. Look for Non-GMO Project Verification

The voluntary Non-GMO Project butterfly logo is the best way to quickly identify snacks made without any GMO ingredients.

2. Choose Organic Snacks

USDA organic regulations prohibit the use of GMOs. So certified organic snacks will be non-bioengineered by default.

3. Read Ingredient Lists

Avoid snacks containing corn, soy, canola, sugar beets, and other high-GMO risk crops unless they are certified organic or non-GMO.

4. Research Brands and Manufacturers

Many health-focused and natural snack brands now use non-GMO ingredients and promote this. But you may need to contact them to ask about specific products.

5. Shop Online

Websites like Thrive Market and Vitacost let you search and filter products specifically for non-GMO and organic verified snacks.

6. Buy From Natural Food Stores

Stores like Whole Foods Market and Sprouts Farmers Market emphasize non-GMO and organic products.

Ingredient Sources for Non-Bioengineered Snacks

When avoiding GMO crops, clean-label snacks made with simpler whole food ingredients from the following sources can be a good option:

Non-GMO Corn

Seek out snacks made with certified non-GMO corn like tortilla chips, corn crackers, corn pasta, and corn nuts.

Organic Soy

Choose snacks featuring organic soybeans like organic edamame, organic soy milk, and soy nuts.

Non-GMO Canola

Canola oil from non-bioengineered canola can be used for frying chips and crackers. Expeller-pressed or cold-pressed oils help preserve nutrition.

Organic Sugar

Snacks sweetened with organic cane sugar, coconut sugar, or maple syrup avoid GMO beet sugar.

Ancient Grains

Ingredients like quinoa, amaranth, teff, and millet give snacks a nutrition boost and avoid GMOs.

Nuts and Seeds

Non-bioengineered almonds, walnuts, sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds, etc. offer protein and healthy fats in snacks.

Legumes

Organic chickpeas, lentils, peas, and beans provide plant-based protein for non-GMO snacks.

Clean-Label Ingredients

Snacks made with a short list of recognizable ingredients can help identify unwanted bioengineered additives.

Types of Snacks to Buy Non-Bioengineered

When shopping for non-GMO snacks, consider these categories:

Popcorn

See popcorn made with organic corn kernels and expeller-pressed or organic coconut oil.

Tortilla Chips

Opt for non-GMO corn tortilla chips with just corn, oil and salt.

Crackers

Find crackers made from ancient grains, nuts/seeds, or certified non-GMO whole grain flours.

Granola Bars

Look for organic oats, ancient grains, organic sweeteners, and non-GMO add-ins like raisins or chocolate chips.

Trail Mix

Make your own or buy ready-made trail mixes with just organic nuts, seeds, and dried fruit.

Nut Butters

Peanut, almond, cashew, and sunflower seed butters make handy non-bioengineered dippers and spreadables.

Dried Fruit

Unsulfured sun-dried fruits like organic apples, mangoes, pineapples, and bananas deliver antioxidants.

Protein Bars

Seek out protein bars with mainly organic nuts/seeds, ancient grains, and non-GMO vegan proteins like pea protein isolate.

Non-Bioengineered Vegan and Vegetarian Snacks

Those following plant-based diets can find plenty of vegan and vegetarian snack options that avoid bioengineered ingredients:

Edamame

Boiled or dry-roasted organic edamame makes for an easy high-protein snack.

Nutritional Yeast

Sprinkle this natural yellow flaky seasoning on popcorn or roasted veggies for savory, cheesy umami flavor.

Guacamole

Whip up homemade guacamole with organic avocados, lime juice, onions, tomatoes, cilantro and salt.

Hummus

Pair organic hummus with fresh cut raw vegetables or sprouted grain crackers.

Energy Balls

Make no-bake energy balls from dates, nuts, seeds, oats, cocoa powder, and non-bioengineered ingredients.

Plantain Chips

Slice green plantains, toss in avocado oil, and bake into salty crispy chips.

Precautions When Avoiding Bioengineered Foods

While avoiding GMOs may be important for personal or environmental reasons, there are some precautions to keep in mind:

• Non-GMO and organic snacks are often more expensive.
• Confirming non-bioengineered status requires diligent label reading.
• Nutritional quality between GMO and non-GMO foods is generally unchanged.
• An overwhelming scientific consensus confirms GMO crop safety.

There are no proven health or safety risks to consuming bioengineered foods according to major regulatory agencies. But having access to non-bioengineered snack options provides consumer choice in the market.

The Bottom Line

New USDA labeling for bioengineered ingredients offers more transparency but not complete details. Consumers wishing to avoid GMOs in snacks and other foods can look for certified organic and Non-GMO Project Verified options made from recognizable whole food ingredients.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult with a healthcare professional before starting any new treatment regimen.