The Institute for Responsible Technology has issued a downloadable shopping guide to steer us clear of genetic modifications lurking in food.

The Non-GMO Shopping Guide features over 150 brands currently enrolled in the Non-GMO Project. It is free to download and there’s even an iPhone app; links to both are found below.

According to the IRT’s website here are four steps to avoid consumption of genetically modified foods (commonly called GMOs):

Tip #1: Buy Organic

Certified organic products cannot intentionally include any GMO ingredients. Buy products labeled “100% organic,” “organic,” or “made with organic ingredients.” You can be doubly sure if the product also has a Non-GMO Project Verified Seal. Read more about organic standards.

Tip #2 :Look for Non-GMO Project Seals

Products that carry the Non-GMO Project Seal are independently verified to be in compliance with North America’s only third party standard for GMO avoidance, including testing of at-risk ingredients. The Non-GMO Project is a non-profit organization committed to providing consumers with clearly labeled and independently verified non-GMO choices. Look for dairy products labeled “No rBGH or rBST,” or “artificial hormone-free.”

 

Tip #3:  Avoid at-risk ingredients

If it’s not labeled organic or verified non-GMO: Avoid products made with ingredients that might be derived from GMOs (see list). The eight GM food crops are Corn, Soybeans, Canola, Cottonseed, Sugar Beets, Hawaiian Papaya (most) and a small amount of Zucchini and Yellow Squash.

Sugar If a non-organic product made in North American lists “sugar” as an ingredient (and NOT pure cane sugar), then it is almost certainly a combination of sugar from both sugar cane and GM sugar beets.

Dairy Products may be from cows injected with GM bovine growth hormone. Look for labels stating No rBGH, rBST, or artificial hormones.

Tip #4: Download our Shopping Guides

Use either IRT’s new Non-GMO Shopping Tips brochure or redesigned Non-GMO Shopping Guide to help you identify and avoid GM foods. We devote an entire page in each guide to help you uncover hidden GM ingredients on food labels that often read more like a chemical periodic table. If you have an iPhone, download our ShopNoGMO guide for free from the iTunes store.

For more on GMOs, grab a cup of tea (Choice Organic Teas, to avoid GMOs) click away with the following great reads:

Genetically Modified Garden of Eden?

Organic Farmers Challenge Monsanto in Community Lawsuit

Stop Monsanto Again. GM Alfalfa Threatens to Contaminate Organic Crops

Monsanto is So Awesome. {Video}.

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Editor: Lynn Hasselberger