At Greater Than, we pride ourselves on making sure our electrolyte drinks have no added sugar, additives, and are certified organic. Not only that, but we are also dedicated to providing you with vegan and non-GMO-friendly drinks.ย
We understand that you care about your health and the health of your child, but we also know how confusing labels can be. Whatโs the difference between organic and non-GMO? What should you look for in the grocery store? What is best for you and your baby?ย
Thatโs why weโve compiled the facts on what you should know about the difference between organic and non-GMO so you can make the best choices for you and your family.ย
What Are GMOs?ย
When you go to the grocery store, chances are you are seeing a lot of the food sold containing GMOs. Many crops contain GMOs to increase nutritional value, protect them from pests or bacteria, delay ripening, or be resistant to certain harmful pesticides.ย
To start, you must know what a GMO is in order to understand what you should look for inย
your food labels. GMO stands for โgenetically modified organismsโ because they have been modified to change their genetic code.
This is done to enhance the food by inserting a gene into their genetic code that the original organism did not have. Usually, when we think of GMOs, we think of crops. But GMOs can appear anywhere, including beyond just plants, but bacteria and fungi as well.ย
What Are the Pros of GMOs?
While it is odd to consider organisms being genetically altered, itโs essential to know the pros of why farmers use GMOs.ย
- When farmers plant GMO crops, they donโt have to use as much water, pesticides, or herbicides
- It costs less to plant, and they can produce more because it takes up less spaceย
- Provides higher nutritional value
- Longer shelf lifeย
What Are the Cons of GMOs?
Just as itโs important to know the pros of GMOs, itโs also equally important to know what the cons are.ย
- May contribute to a rise in allergic reactionsย
- Rise in superweedsย
- Herbicide resistance occurs even without genetic modificationย
Itโs important for you to be informed on what GMOs are and the pros and cons in order to make your own personal choice. At Greater Than, we help take care of that problem for you by creating non-GMO electrolyte drinks, so you donโt have to worry about the labels.ย ย
What Does It Mean for a Food To Be Considered Non-GMO?
Now that you know what GMOs are and have a working sense of what the pros and cons can look like, what does it mean when a label says it is โnon-GMO?โ
Products with a non-GMO label specifically refer to foods made without ingredients that contain genetically engineered mechanisms. The ingredients within the product have been verified to inspect animals to ensure there are no GMOs within their bodies when it comes to meat.ย
Non-GMO labels also prevent herbicides that contain GMOs. However, this does not mean that it has to be grown organically. This means that other chemicals can be used instead, such as pesticides and other conventional, non-organic techniques.ย
What Are Organic Foods and What Does It Mean?
Organic products refer to how different types of foods are grown and processed. According to USDA regulations, organic foods can not contain filler additives chemicals such as human-made pesticides and fertilizers and does not contain any genetically modified organisms.
They are the most heavily regulated in terms of how the farmers have to grow these foods. Farmers have to grow their crops completely organically, meaning that they have to rely on natural substances and approved physical, mechanical, or biologically based farming methods.ย
What Are the Pros of Organic Foods?
Organic foods are almost always more expensive than their GMO counterparts, but these pros can help you decide whether or not they are worth it.ย
- No pesticides can be used according to USDA regulationsย
- Organic meats do not contain hormones
- Organic foods do not contain hexane, a neurotoxin contained in soybean, canola, and corn
- Animals do not have access to harmful toxins, so you arenโt consuming them either
What Are the Cons of Organic Foods?
While it is considered the healthier alternative to GMO foods, you should be aware of the cons organic food products have.ย
- Due to export costs, organic foods are far less accessibleย
- Stores may not have a wide range of organic foods
- It is more likely to go spoil quickerย
- Some organic foods may still contain harmful chemicals
Whatโs the Difference Between Them?
Non-GMO food products and organic foods are very similar. Both go through extensive testing and follow certain guidelines to ensure there are no genetically modified ingredients within their products.ย
Itโs important to remember that if a product says itโs non-GMO, there are no genetically modified ingredients, but it doesnโt have to be organic.
Organic foods are the most regulated label because they are both non-GMO and were not grown or processed with synthetic chemicals. While itโs the more expensive product, it is considered better for your health since it contains only a small amount of toxins.ย
The labels are very similar, with minor distinctions. Organic foods require more verification and expenses, so more farmers and food industries are more likely to go with non-GMO labels since they cost less.ย
Which Should You Choose?
When you go to the grocery store, you will see a variety of labels. Some may say โnatural,โ โorganic,โ or โnon-GMO.โ Or both! Itโs up to you as the consumer and what is best for your familyโs health and wellness goals to choose what you want.ย
Consider your own personal diet, health goals, and lifestyle. Itโs also important to factor in your budget and what is sustainable for the environment. We want to make this information accessible to you in order for you to feel like you can make your own choices as a consumer and as a parent.
Thatโs why weโve created non-GMO, certified organic, clean electrolyte drinks for the whole family to enjoy. Not only does it help benefit breastfeeding mothers by giving them the energy they need to take care of themselves and their little ones, but the rest of the kids can drink it, too!ย
At Greater Than, we believe in consumer choice and labels. That means empowering you and the rest of our consumers with the information you need to make better and more informed choices. We keep you, your little one, and your family in mind when it comes to making our products.ย
Sources:
Can GMOs Be Used in Organic Products? | USDA
Organic Foods: Health Benefits or Ploy? | MILNE Library
What the USDA Organic Label Means | USDA
GMO VS Organic: Key Differences Between Food Labels | Chompsย ย ย