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By Christina Ray
Health and ethical issues concerning genetically modified foods have been a hot topic of debate for many years, and not without reason. GMO (genetically modified organism) foods are full of chemicals that are dangerous to the body and the environment, so much so that they are banned in most of Europe. Eating non-GMO food is especially important for those who eat vegan food because some of the genes used to create GMO products are taken from animal DNA.
The problem is that more often than not, GMO food doesn’t have proper labelling, which means the only way of knowing if a food product contains GMO ingredients is by researching it on the internet.The only way to be 100% certain you’re avoiding GMOs is to eat 100% organic, or live in Europe (where they are, thankfully, still pretty much banned). However, these options are not viable for most people, of course. Luckily, close to two-thirds of Americans now own a smartphone and mobile browsing is becoming increasingly popular, so as a result, most websites are making sure that their pages are made to be mobile-friendly. This means it is easier for anyone who wants to safeguard their health to research food products while in the supermarket, eating out, and on the go.
Here’s our list of some of the best apps for finding non GMO foods. You can easily find these on Google Play or iTunes, and most are even free!
1. Non-GMO Project Shopping Guide
This app created by The Non-GMO Project is specially designed to support customers who want to avoid GMO products. The app features a list of brands and products that are certified to be GMO-free, and it can also be used to find retailers in your area that stock non-GMO products. The website for The Non-GMO Project includes a guide on common ingredients used in GMO food and tips on how to avoid GMO food.
2. True Food
Another useful app for GMO-free foodies is True Food, which includes a shopper’s guide as well as helpful tips on avoiding GMO food. The app is updated daily with new tips on finding GMO-free food and new shops that stock GMO alternatives. Easily installed on any smartphone, this app helps you eat organic, GMO-free food, no matter where you are.
3. Buycott
An app for foodies who are passionate about making a positive difference to the food industry, as well as eating healthily. Buycott is a free app has been specially designed to help you stay true to your principles by supporting companies that only sell ethically sourced, GMO-free products. There is also an option for you to contact the company provider to voice your opinions, and find out exactly who is responsible for the food you are buying.
4. Fruit Checker
Sometimes fruit and vegetables aren’t labelled properly, and it can be difficult to decipher whether they are organic or not. This is frustrating for those who take eating a GMO-free diet seriously. The Fruit Checker app offers a solution. A way of reading labels to confirm whether fruit and vegetables are guaranteed organic, ethically grown, or genetically modified. This app will even tell you where the product was grown, to help you eat locally sourced, GMO-free fruit and veg that will contribute to a healthy, organic lifestyle.
5. Healthy Food, Allergens, GMOs & Nutrition Scanner
This is a paid app, but the $3.99 cost for the Nutrition Scanner will allow you to use your phone to scan food labels and receive information on nutrition, ingredients additives and whether the product contains any GMOs. You don’t need to wonder which ingredients are dangerous, either, as the app has a caution rating for potentially undesirable contents.
6. ShopNoGMO
In case you’re really not sure about what you are eating, this free app points out 23 food categories that contain no GMOs. It’s essential to know this information not only when you’re food shopping, but also when you’re eating out – unless you’re at an organic restaurant, chances are the eatery you’re sitting in will be using GMOs. Additionally, the app offers helpful tips on sourcing organic foods and identifying other potentially unhealthy ingredients.
7. Chemical Maze
This one is a favourite, because it covers so much turf: Chemical Maze will keep you up to date on any harmful chemicals – including GMOs – are in your makeup, skincare, pet products, and of course, food. The app makes it easy to filter results by category, effects, origin or symptoms, depending on what you want to find out about a product. There are two versions: a free one, or a paid one that offers additional features.
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