Liz Thompson
You may be seeing more info than usual on GMOs this month. That’s because October is Non GMO month, complete with a Non GMO Project, non GMO food retailer listings, and initiatives by healthy food leaders, like Food Babe.
Even though you most likely think of foods when the subject of GMOs come up, cosmetics can contain GMO ingredients too.
Genetically modified organisms (GMOs) are plants and animals that have had changes made to their DNA through genetic engineering techniques in order to yield higher crop growth or add a particular trait.
Virtually all commercial GMOs are engineered to withstand direct application of herbicide and/or to produce an insecticide. Despite biotech industry promises, none of the GMO traits currently on the market offer increased yield, drought tolerance, enhanced nutrition, or any other consumer benefit. ~Non GMO Project.org
This DNA manipulation is certainly not naturally and our bodies don’t accept them as such. GMO ingredients can disrupt the body’s healthy bacteria, cause the body to produce pesticides from the altered ingredients, and build resistance to bacteria.
It is not always so easy to spot a cosmetic made with GMO contaminated ingredients. Your best course of action in preventing GMO exposure is to check for ingredients that are commonly cross-contaminated. These are: Corn, Cotton, Tomatoes, Potatoes, Rapeseed (Canola), Rice, Soybeans, Sugar cane, and Sugar beet.
Many companies use talc, for example, in place of cornstarch in effort to avoid this cross-contamination. While avoiding GMOs may not be a top concern for most consumers shopping beauty or personal care items, there are ways to protect yourself against these ingredients. Choosing organic cosmetics will reduce your risk of using products that contain GMO contaminated ingredients. My best advice? Look for the ingredients mentioned above, read brand ingredient commitments, and, as always, follow brands you can trust.
[Makeup bottle image via Shutterstock]
