I’m back at it. I’m on a quest for easy shopping GMO Free. Its proving to be more difficult than I thought. So Foster Farms says they don’t use hormones and their chickens are fed an ‘vegetarian diet’. Well, that should be a given. So I called them to find out if their vegetarian diet included Monsanto seeds, CORN. The consumer affairs person told me that they grow their own corn, and that when they run out then they buy off the commodities market. Great! So my next question is what percentage of what is bought, is used?

I received a canned response from them titled:

FOSTER FARMS’ STATEMENT REGARDING GENETICALLY MODIFIED FEED INGREDIENTS - 2008

2008? Really? Can’t update this document that parafrased says this. While they are sensitive to the growing GMO Concern they buy (corn/soy) ingredients from a variety of suppliers and they ‘MIGHT’ containe biotechnology components, but they are met by the FDA requirements. They go on to say that testing now shows that animals digesting genetically modified grains, show no difference between them and natural grains. Foster Farms says they will continue to watch science and monitor it, but for now its all good.

Then at the very bottom I’m sent this:

Foster Farms does also have an organic line of product called “Coastal Range Organics”. If you are interested, here is the link to the website for that product line www.coastalrangeorganics.com

So I checked out the site, and here the chickens are fed 100% a fully-organic diet with all-natural, 100% vegetarian grain feed, free of any animal by-products and synthetic additives. That’s why they are naturally great tasting.

So I went back to Foster Farms and asked if the corn that the chickens eat were verified NOT MONSANTO. I was told ” GM grains are not allowed in organic feed for certified organic chicken, so there is no GM corn or soy in the feed. ” I was also given a link to their listing on a Quality Assurance Certified Organic Website. Yeah!

You want Non-Monsanto Chickens, eat Foster Farms Organic Brand - Coastal Range Organics. I asked where I can buy them. No response… So I googled it. Still no response. Hmmmm. I’m open to suggestions, does anyone know where I can buy Organic Chickens in South County, OC?

Here’s their website for more details. At least it appears they are making an effort… why is this not more available to us though? We want change FOSTER FARMS… IT WOULD BE BETTER IF I KNEW WHERE I COULD BUY THEM.

Update: After getting a free coupon from Foster Farms, Thanks! I still had no idea where to buy them. Finally, after a third request to them I got this email:

Dear Alexandra Teklak:

Thank you for contacting Coastal Range Organics. We distribute our products to the list of major retailers below that appear to be in your area. Because we often deliver to centralized distribution centers, not every location carries our full line of products. We recommend that you call the meat or grocery department of a specific location to confirm that the item you are looking for is currently in stock before making a special trip. Additionally, many stores will special order an item for their customers, so long as their distribution center carries that item.

Costco

Pavilions

Albertsons

Ralphs

Safeway

As I learn to re-shop for products that are not SOYBEAN/COTTONSEED/CANOLA or VEGETABLE BASED, I find my world closing in. What do we eat? We can’t eat fish or large game fish anyway like Yellowtail or Tuna, and well after our oil spill most likely NOTHING from the ocean. And Chicken, while they say they don’t inject hormones what are they feeding the chickens is what you need to worry about and most places do not serve or even care what the chicken’s are fed. And Beef, while I”m not a vegetarian by choice because I love to eat meat I feel the Vegan walls closing in. So as I was shopping at my favorite local market in San Juan Capistrano ( FARM TO MARKET) who of course sells lots of AQUAMANTRA! I see the beef behind the counter, called Natural Grain Fed Beef. Now if I was an average consumer, I would assume Natural and Grain fed both meant good for me. I asked if they had grass fed and was looked at like I had a third eyeball. I asked the meat guy, do you know what kind of GRAIN, he said no - he had a brochure once but can’t remember. So I looked online. Everything looks good, until I get to the Grain-Fed portion and read that they feed their cattle corn, that a nutritionist says is good for them. ( see my blog here about GMOS) CORN which is most like MONSANTO CORN. So I called the Harris Beef company and I was told they couldn’t get enough natural corn for all of their cattle, so they are forced to buy MONSANTO CORN. hmmmmmm. What about GRASS? Its free isn’t it? Why wouldn’t they just feed them grass? Well, its not my business to run a meat plant, but I wish they would be honest so people could make a decision. If their marketing materials actually said - Grain fed with GMO CORN… then, maybe the people could purchase with authenticity.

TRANSPARENCY - is the future. Too bad Harris Beef Company is not doing that. I expect it from other big beef manufacturers, but not someone who is touting natural. If anyone knows a brand that is grass fed beef please let me know!

Here’s a great article about GRASS FED BEEF!

Here’s an exert - Author and small-scale cattleman Michael Pollan wrote recently in the New York Times about what happens to cows when they are taken off of pastures and put into feedlots and fed grain:

“Perhaps the most serious thing that can go wrong with a ruminant on corn is feedlot bloat. The rumen is always producing copious amounts of gas, which is normally expelled by belching during rumination. But when the diet contains too much starch and too little roughage, rumination all but stops, and a layer of foamy slime that can trap gas forms in the rumen. The rumen inflates like a balloon, pressing against the animal’s lungs. Unless action is promptly taken to relieve the pressure (usually by forcing a hose down the animal’s esophagus), the cow suffocates.

A corn diet can also give a cow acidosis. Unlike that in our own highly acidic stomachs, the normal pH of a rumen is neutral. Corn makes it unnaturally acidic, however, causing a kind of bovine heartburn, which in some cases can kill the animal but usually just makes it sick. Acidotic animals go off their feed, pant and salivate excessively, paw at their bellies and eat dirt. The condition can lead to diarrhea, ulcers, bloat, liver disease and a general weakening of the immune system that leaves the animal vulnerable to everything from pneumonia to feedlot polio.”

All this is not only unnatural and dangerous for the cows. It also has profound consequences for us. Feedlot beef as we know it today would be impossible if it weren’t for the routine and continual feeding of antibiotics to these animals. This leads directly and inexorably to the development of antibiotic-resistant bacteria. These are the new “superbugs” that are increasingly rendering our “miracle drugs” ineffective.

This is what Harris says about their beef:

Harris Ranch Premium Natural Angus Beef

Consumers are increasingly demanding natural products with added assurances. Premium Natural Angus Beef fulfills the demands of even the most discerning consumer. From the superior Angus genetics Harris Ranch demands, to the strict feeding and management practices we have in place, Premium Natural Angus Beef is peace of mind at the dinner table. No added hormones or antibiotics, 100% vegetarian diet, consistent tenderness, unmatched flavor, and guaranteed safe and natural.

Premium Natural Beef is all-natural, certified USDA Choice and Select Angus Beef. ( CHECK)

No added hormones, ever. ( CHECK)

No antibiotics fed or administered, ever. ( CHECK)

Source and age verified by Harris Ranch. ( CHECK)

All-vegetarian diet: formulated and approved by our animal nutritionist. No animal byproducts ever fed by Harris Ranch. ( CHECK) VEGETARIAN - sounds good.

Added assurances: Cattle feeds tested for pesticide residues and beef tested for antibiotic residues through our Residue Control Program, which goes beyond USDA guidelines.
( CHECK)

Cattle are source-and age-verified: The Harris Feeding Company is the single source of cattle we process for our Premium Natural Angus program. We work with ranchers through our Partnership for Quality Program who can provide cattle with superior genetics so we can produce superior beef. ( CHECK)

California fresh: Our beef is produced right here in California, guaranteeing a fresh, wholesome product. ( CHECK -awesome, local)

Grain-fed: To produce the highest quality, best tasting beef, we transport Midwest-produced corn by the trainload to our feedlot where it is scientifically formulated into a balanced, nutritious ration. Cattle are typically fed at our facility for 120 days. (WARNING WARNING!!!!)

Satisfaction for discerning consumers: Harris Ranch recognizes the growing demand by progressive consumers. Premium Natural Angus Beef answers this demand. ( CHECK)

Humane handling: Cattle are humanely handled during all aspects of production. ( CHECK)

Respected reputation: Harris Ranch Beef Company is family owned and operated, and has been a leader in the beef industry for over 40 years. ( CHECK) Very nice.

Soy, Corn, Cotton and Canola - Avoid anything to do with products made with these kinds of crops.

How do you do that?

Buy Organic.

Stay away from High Fructose Corn Syrup.

Buy products that say NON GMO.

Buy Brands that are on the Safe and not made from GMOS - Buy from the NON-GMO Shopping Guide.
Did you know that when animals were given the opportunity to eat food between GMO corn and NON GMO corn - all animals chose not to eat GM foods. So why would you?

Hungry for more? Check out SEEDS OF DECEPTION

Genetic Roulette
The Documented Health Risks of Genetically Engineered Foods

by Jeffrey M. Smith

Eating genetically modified food is gambling with every bite.

The biotech industry’s claim that genetically modified (GM) foods are safe is shattered in this groundbreaking book. Sixty-five health risks of the foods that Americans eat every day are presented in easy-to-read two-page spreads. The left page is designed for the quick scanning reader; it includes bullets, illustrations, and quotes. The right side offers fully referenced text, describing both research studies and theoretical risks. The second half of Genetic Roulette shows how safety assessments on GM crops are not competent to identify the health problems presented in the first half.

This book, prepared in collaboration with a team of international scientists, is for anyone wanting to understand GM technology, to learn how to protect themselves, or to share their concerns with others. It is presented in the clear, accessible style that made Jeffrey Smith’s Seeds of Deception the world’s best-selling book on genetically engineered foods. As the world’s most complete reference on the health risks of GM foods, Genetic Roulette is also ideal for schools and libraries.

For more information on the health risks described in Genetic Roulette, click here.

Buy Organic. Buy labels that say “non-GMO”.

Remember there are eight genetically modified food crops:

1. Soy

2. Corn

3. Cottonseed (used in vegetable cooking oils)

4. Canola (canola oil)

5. Sugar from sugar beets

6. Hawaiian papaya

7. Some varieties of zucchini

8. Crookneck squash

Based on this list, anything containing soy or soy derivatives should be avoided, as well as anything containing corn, the most obvious ingredient being high fructose corn syrup.

The easiest way to avoid ending up with GM foods in your shopping cart is to do some pre-planning using the free non-GMO shopping guide, available at www.NonGMOshoppingGuide.com.

Want to know what a GMO is?
Watch this video!

The World According to Monsanto!

Then visit this website! http://www.saynotogmos.org/

And learn more at - The Ban of High Fructose Corn Syrup

Everything You HAVE TO KNOW about Dangerous Genetically Modified Foods from Jeffrey Smith on Vimeo.

Consciousness is being aware, educate yourself and learn how to keep yourself safe!