Concern has been growing about the heightened presence of genetically modified organisms (GMOs) in our food chain. And according to this recent article in the New York Times, it’s still difficult to tell from the product labeling whether GMOs are included in what you eat and drink.
This is partly because there are no regulations requiring companies to disclose on labels whether their products contain GMOs. And while there are proposed regulations being debated in Congress and state legislatures, the public outcry over GMOs has prompted some food manufacturers to proactively label their products as non-GMO. The problem is that there is no process in place to verify the claims.
This has led to a large amount of consumer confusion, leaving it to the individual to sort out the information and decide what’s true. So the best bet is to keep yourself informed, learning as much as you can about the ingredients in the food and beverage products that are available and how those products are manufactured and processed.
There is also the common misconception that the concern over GMOs is only limited to food products. Many of the beverages on the market contain ingredients derived from genetically modified organisms. According to the New York Times, most corn, soy, canola and sugar beets are grown from genetically modified seeds. These crops are often used to produce high-fructose corn syrup, ascorbic acid, sugar and Xantham gun — ingredients that are commonly used in sodas and other sweetened beverages. High fructose corn syrup is a particular concern, for in addition to potentially containing GMOs, this highly-processed derivate of corn has come under scrutiny for a variety of health concerns and conditions, including weight gain, diabetes, heart disease and more.
Some of the specific health concerns surrounding GMOs include antibiotic resistance, gastrointestinal and digestive difficulties as well as immune system suppression. Additionally, for those with food allergies, genetic traits from unrelated plants can be grafted to other crops, which may trigger an allergic response if for example, someone with a nut allergy consumed a food that was grafted with a nut gene.
At Syfo, we take pride in making truly healthy beverages. Our Original Seltzer and Naturally-Flavored Sparkling Waters are free of any genetically modified ingredients or GMOs. Our all-natural flavors are derived from essential oils that are extracted from the peel of the fruit and our products contain no sugar, artificial sweeteners, sodium or any other additives. Made with purified water, they’re just delicious and healthy refreshment.
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