Page 11 - the NOISE June 2014

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In the meantime, some private companies have decided to take action on their own, in- cluding two major Us restaurant chains. In early May, Panera Bread issued a list of 150 food additives that it would eliminate from its products by 2016. while this move did not specify the removal of GMOs, several of the additives on the company’s list come primarily from GMO sources such as high fructose corn syrup, partially hydrogenated oils, and hydrolyzed soy and corn protein. “we think a simplified pantry is a better pantry,” said Panera’s head chef Dan Kish.
In April, Chipotle announced it would eliminate GMOs from the foods it serves. The popular burrito restaurant chain claims the move is part of measures being taken to offer greater “food integrity” to its customers. It began voluntarily disclosing GMO ingredients on its menus back in 2013. “There is a lot of debate about genetically modified foods,”said founder, chairman and co-CeO of Chipotle, Steve Ells. “Though many countries have already restricted or banned the use of GMO crops, it’s clear a lot of research is still needed before we can truly understand all of the implications of widespread GMO cultivation and consumption. while that debate contin- ues, we decided to move to non-GMO ingredients.” Initially, the company was focused on the corn used in its tortillas and the soybean oil used for cooking.
Immediately following its announcement, Chipotle was criticized for missing other ingredi- ents that would be difficult to source without GMOs and for using the move more as a publicity stunt than a sincere policy change. nPR’s food blog, The Salt, published an article titled “why we Can’t Take Chipotle’s GMO Announcement All That seriously.” The Washington Post wrote,
“Chipotle’s GMO gimmick is hard to swallow.” Amongst the criticism came the realization that Chipotle’s claim that its entire menu would be GMO-free wouldn’t stand up. But Chipotle didn’t lay down either.
On its website, Chipotle published a page titled “G-M-Over It.” while the restaurant still touts its commitment to cooking with only non-GMO ingredients, a claim few others have commit- ted to make, it added a caveat to the bottom of the page concerning animal feed and high fructose corn syrup. It states:“The meat and dairy products we buy come from animals that are not genetically modified. But it is important to note that most animal feed in the Us is geneti- cally modified, which means that the meat and dairy served at Chipotle are likely to come from animals given at least some GMO feed. we are working hard on this challenge, and have made substantial progress: for example, the 100% grass-fed beef served in many Chipotle restaurants was not fed GMO grain — or any grain, for that matter.” with regard to high fructose corn syrup, it says that “Many of the beverages sold in our restaurants contain genetically modified ingre- dients, including those containing corn syrup, which is almost always made from GMO corn.”
On May 23, people in more than 400 cities around the world participated in the third annual March Against Monsanto. Protesters against the policies and practices of the biotech giant took to the streets in Australia, south Africa, India, Germany, France, Bangladesh, england and Canada, to name just a few. In the Us, rallies were held in cities from coast to coast. Protesters wielded signs that read “no More GMOs,” “Monsanto Makes Tumors” and “GMO is Killing Our Children slowly.” Monsanto is seen by many as the evil mastermind behind the pervasion of bio- genetic toxins in the world’s food supply. The company’s policy of filing for patents on its GMO seeds is blamed for monopolizing the seed market and forcing small farmers out of business.
In India, the company has been implicated in the deaths of nearly 300,000 farmers over the last 20 years. Farmers have allegedly been forced to grow GMO cotton in India rather than traditional plants. The high costs of the seeds and the proprietary products required to grow them have led many poor farmers into bankruptcy when their crops failed to produce. Many of these men had to borrow money in order to purchase the seeds and necessary supplies. when banks won’t lend to them, they often turn to less savory characters for loans. when crops fail and debts remain unpaid, these farmers have committed suicide in droves attempting to spare their families from harm and shame. Their story is told in the 2011 documentary film Bitter Seeds.
even celebrities are joining the fight against GMOs and their grand master, Monsanto. Just before Memorial Day, rock and roll icon Neil Young publically released the first song from his upcoming album The Monsanto Years at an anti-GMO event in Maui, Hawaii. The song is titled,
“Rock starbucks” and was recorded by Mr. Young along with Promise of the Real, his band that features Willie Nelson’s sons, Micah and Lukas. It was written as a protest to the corporation’s membership in the GMA and the fight against Vermont’s labeling law. It goes a little something like this:
If you don’t like to rock Starbucks, a coffee shop
Well, you better change your station ‘cause that ain’t all that we got Yeah, I want a cup of coffee, but I don’t want a GMO
I like to start my day off without helping Monsanto.
| Cindy Cole has got her headphones on and “can’t wait” for Neil’s album release — June 16! cindy@thenoise.us
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