About 75% of the produce grown in the United States has been genetically modified making it difficult to know if the foods we eat have been created by nature or created in a lab. According to the Center for Food Safety, “It has been estimated that upwards of 75% of processed foods on supermarket shelves, from soda to soup, crackers to condiments, contain genetically engineered ingredients.” In the United States products are not mandated to state if they are genetically modified, making the American consumer unaware of the true origins of the food they consume.
All living organism characteristics are determined by the genes inherited genes. “A genetically modified organism is a plant, animal, insect or micro-organism whose genetic make-up has been changed using modern laboratory techniques.” For example, different genes from various other species and chemicals can be added to the existing genes of an organism to create a new genetic makeup. Genetically modified foods have sometimes been inserted with chemicals that cause them to grow faster, larger, allow the crop to withstand insecticide that kills insects that would otherwise destroy the crop.
The great news is New Zealand is Non-GMO certified country. According to the New Zealand Ministry for the Environment website, “The Hazardous Substances and New Organisms Act 1996 (HSNO Act) regulates research into and release of all living things that do not already exist in New Zealand, including those that are genetically modified.” We can be certain that all the products imported from New Zealand have not been engineered in a lab. According to the United States Department of Agriculture, “New Zealand maintains one of the most comprehensive and rigorous approval regimes for genetically modified organisms in the world.” The US recognizes the successful regulations New Zealand has implemented to establish a GMO free country.
Pacific Resources International imports its products direct from New Zealand. With the knowledge that all the products are Non-GMO we can be certain that the products purchased from Pacific Resources are of the highest quality and of its naturalist form, the way nature intended. When it comes to the best quality you can always rely on the natural products New Zealand has to offer.
Sources
Center for Food and Safety, “About Genetically Engineered Foods,” http://www.centerforfoodsafety.org/issues/311/ge-foods/about-ge-foods#
Library of Congress, “Restrictions on Genetically Modified Organisms: New Zealand,” http://www.loc.gov/law/help/restrictions-on-gmos/new-zealand.php
New Zealand Ministry for the Environment website, “Genetic Modification in New Zealand,” http://www.mfe.govt.nz/publications/hazards/gm-nz-approach-jun04/genetic-modification-new-zealand
Stuff.co.nz, GM Free Means Good Sales for NZ,” http://www.stuff.co.nz/dominion-post/comment/7612107/GM-free-means-good-sales-for-NZ
Filed under: News Tagged: Genetic Modified Organisms, new zealand, Non-Gmo Certified, Non-Gmo NZ, Pacific Resources International 
