Top 7 Non-GMO Vegan Products & Food Brands
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Time to read 7 min
There are many controversies around the safety of genetically modified foods and whether we should avoid them or not.
The truth is that there are plenty of unknowns and many things to consider regarding GM foods.
In this article, you will learn about the pros and cons of GMO products, the most common GMO foods, and a list of the safest non-GMO vegan products and brands.
Let's begin.
What Is GMO?
A GMO stands for "genetically modified organism."
Essentially, it's a plant, animal, microorganism, or other organisms that have been purposely changed or modified in a laboratory to make it grow differently.
The first genetically modified plant was produced in 1983, and GMOs have grown commercially in the US since 1996.
Like all new technologies, GMOs pose known but also unknown risks. There is a rising public concern about human and environmental safety and the dangers of GM foods.
Let's take a closer look at the advantages and risks of GMO foods.
Pros Of GMO Foods:
Faster Production
Higher Resilience
Genetically engineered food crops can be grown in places with unfavorable climatic conditions, and they also have a longer shelf life.
Lower Cost
The cost of production of GMO foods is less than that of traditional crops due to the natural resistance toward pests and insects.
High In Nutrients
Surprisingly, GMO foods are high in nutrients and contain more minerals and vitamins than those in traditionally grown foods.
Cons Of GMO Foods:
Harmful Effects On The Human Body
Studies indicate that the consumption of foods produced using GM varieties can directly affect human (and animal) health, such as food allergies, toxicity, and allergenicity.
Correlation Between GMOs And Various Diseases
Research indicates a correlation between the expansion of GM crop areas, increased pesticide use, and increased incidence of chronic diseases like cancer, Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, asthma, bronchitis, hormonal imbalance, infertility, heart disease, autism, and more.
Higher Resilience To Antibiotics
Consumption of GM foods can cause the development of diseases that are immune to antibiotics. Additionally, making crops more pest-resistant may cause pests to evolve bigger and stronger.
Disturbing The Natural Rhythms Of The Biosphere
GMO crops inhibit biodiversity and disrupt the natural rhythms of the biosphere. For example, genetically modifying a crop to have fewer seeds may negatively impact the organisms that rely on those seeds for sustenance.
Or pest-resistant characteristics of GM crops can flee and cause resistance and increased weeds.
Most Common GMO Foods
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Alfalfa - GMO alfalfa is primarily used to feed cattle. It is resistant to herbicides, allowing farmers to spray the crops to protect them against destructive weeds.
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Canola - GMO canola is resistant to herbicides and helps farmers more easily control weeds in their fields. Around 95% of canola is genetically modified.
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Corn - GMO corn is created to resist insect pests or tolerate herbicides. Around 95% of corn is genetically modified. GMO corn goes into processed foods and drinks, and most of it is used to feed livestock, like cows, and poultry, like chickens.
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Potato - Some GMO potatoes were developed to resist insect pests, disease, and bruising.
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Papaya - GMO papaya, named the Rainbow papaya, was created to resist the ringspot virus, which almost wiped out Hawaii's papaya crop in the 90s.
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Sugar Beet - GMO sugar beets are resistant to herbicides; growing GMO sugar beets help farmers control weeds in their fields. In addition, more than half the granulated sugar packaged for grocery store shelves is made from GMO sugar beets.
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Soy - Most GMO soy is used for animal food and is genetically modified to become tolerant of herbicides and resistant to drought and insects.
- Animal Products - To increase milk production, a synthetic man-made hormone (rBGH) is given to dairy cows. Besides causing adverse health effects in cows, it is also considered bad for humans. In addition, around 95% of animals in the US eat GMO crops. This makes products such as meat, eggs, and milk high-risk options.
Why And How To Avoid GMO Foods?
These foods are new inventions, and little is known about their long-term effects on human beings.
Since the health effects are unknown, many people prefer to avoid these foods. Luckily, many companies offer 100% non-GMO vegan products.
The brands are certified through the Non-GMO Project, which means that a product was produced without genetic engineering, and its ingredients are not derived from GMOs.
Non-GMO Project Verified additionally means that a product complies with the Non-GMO Project Standard, which includes stringent testing, traceability, and segregation provisions.
7+ Best Non-GMO Vegan Products:
1. Upcycled Grain Project
These foods are new inventions, and little is known about their long-term effects on human beings.
Since the health effects are unknown, many people prefer to avoid these foods. Luckily, many companies offer 100% non-GMO vegan products.
The brands are certified through the Non-GMO Project, which means that a product was produced without genetic engineering, and its ingredients are not derived from GMOs.
Non-GMO Project Verified additionally means that a product complies with the Non-GMO Project Standard, which includes stringent testing, traceability, and segregation provisions.
2. Dang Foods
Dang Foods' mission is to share its culture for a healthier and more flavorful world.
Dang Foods include Thai Rice Chips, Dang Bars, and Coconut Chips. Each product has various flavors that you can choose from.
Almost all their products (except the Aged Cheddar Thai Rice Chips) are certified Non-GMO and bear the Non-GMO Project seal.
Additionally, a couple of their snacks are Keto Certified, including:
- All of the Dang Bars
- Their Lightly Salted Coconut Chips
3. Karma Nuts
Karma Nuts develops an alternative to oil-fried cashews. Their unique line of minimally processed cashews is air-roasted, with no added oils, and packed with six essential vitamins and minerals.
Karma Nuts are delectable, crunchy, and nutritionally dense, offering many delicious flavors, using only natural, non-GMO Project Verified, Vegan, and Kosher ingredients.
4. RIND
RIND is a fantastic company making GMO-free vegan snacks from fruit peels! Veggies and fruit peels are packed with vitamins, fiber, and antioxidants and are ideal for making delicious dried snacks.
RIND's mission is to help consumers snack better and do better by eating the whole fruit, maximizing nutritional value, and minimizing food waste.
Their range includes chewy or crunchy dried fruits, including - watermelon, coconut, strawberry, apple, persimmons, pineapples, oranges, peaches, and kiwis.
5. KPOP Seasnacks
KPOP Sea Snacks are deliciously flavored seaweed snacks with a uniquely savory, sweet, and spicy taste. It contains only five simple ingredients - dried seaweed, canola oil, sesame oil, sea salt, and kimchi.
The healthy vegan seaweed snack is non-GMO, gluten-free, keto-friendly, and has just 20 calories per pack.
6. Outstanding Foods
Outstanding Foods make delicious, nutritious, and plant-based snacks without the sketchy ingredients.
Their salty snacks come in many different flavors. Each offers 4-7g of protein, various essential vitamins, and minerals and is always free from gluten, soy, GMOs, cholesterol, and trans fats.
7. Rulebreaker Snacks
Rulebreaker Snacks are guilt-free, gluten-free, softly baked cookies with only 100 calories and 2 grams of added sugar per serving.
They are non-GMO Project Verified and free from the top 11 allergens. Their outstanding flavors include:
- Birthday Cake Blondie Cookies
- Chocolate Chip Brownie Cookies
- Peanut Free Peanut Butter Choc Chip Cookies
A couple more non-GMO vegan foods and snacks worth mentioning include:
- Spudsy - Delicious & cheesy GMO-free sweet potato puffs
- Bakery On Main - Unsweetened & organic instant oatmeal
- Sunny Fruit - Organic & non-GMO Project Verified dried apricots and tart cherries
- Endangered Species Chocolate - Vegan, organic, non-GMO Project Verified chocolate made with coconut & almond oat milk
- New York Chips - Non-GMO sea salt wavy chips cooked in 100% avocado oil
FAQ:
What is a non-GMO plant?
A "Non-GMO" is usually a product that is certified for the claim that all ingredients are derived from plants, animals, or other organisms whose genetic material has not been artificially modified in a laboratory.
Is organic food non-GMO?
GMOs are prohibited in organic products. By law, organic foods are GMO-free and grown sustainably without using artificial fertilizers, herbicides, and pesticides.
For example, an organic farmer can't plant GMO seeds, or an organic food producer can't use GMO ingredients.
Purchasing foods with the "non-GMO" or "organic" label is your safest option regarding health and reducing toxins.
Does vegan meat have GMOs?
Some vegan meat products are GMO, and others - aren't.
For example, Beyond Meat products are made from simple ingredients and are free from cholesterol, hormones, or GMOs.
On the other hand, Impossible Foods uses GM soy and genetically engineered yeast to produce 'heme' - a key ingredient used to create a 'meaty' flavor.
Is GMO vegan?
Even if certain vegan foods are genetically modified, as long as the DNA has not been altered using animal or insect DNA, they are still vegan.
What foods have no GMOs?
Most small local farmers will be GMO-free, as well as most grains, seeds, nuts, and beans. The easiest way to avoid buying GMOs is to:
- Look for the USDA Organic or Non-GMO Project Verified labels
- Support small local farms since not all companies or farmers can afford to get these certifications. Local farmers and locally grown produce are almost never genetically modified.
Summary
Hopefully, now you have a clearer idea of what GMO is and why it might be a good idea to support more organic & non-GMO verified products.
If you feel overwhelmed or confused about where to find GMO-free goods, you can always come to Vegancuts!
Vegancuts curates monthly Discovery Snack Boxes that always include carefully selected products and brands that are always 100% vegan and often organic, GMO-free, gluten-free or keto-friendly.
