How do I know if my fruit is GMO?
- 4-digit number means food was conventionally grown.
- 5-digit number that begins with a 9 means produce is organic.
- 5-digit number that begins with an 8 means it is genetically modified. (
Are bananas GMOs? The short answer is no. The banana available in U.S. grocery stores is a cultivar called the Cavendish banana.
Conventional bananas are not technically genetically modified organisms, as bananas are propagated clonally. That means that essentially bananas are derived from a single individual plant by asexual reproduction, making them genetically identical.
In the United States there are 11 commercially available genetically modified crops in the United States: soybeans, corn (field and sweet), canola, cotton, alfalfa, sugar beets, summer squash, papaya, apples and potatoes.
It is important to note there are currently no genetically modified strawberries on the market. If you see a “non-GMO” label on a package of strawberries, remember all strawberries are non-GMO, even if the label doesn't say so.
Pink pineapples are genetically modified fruit that stay pink and sweeter than yellow pineapples. GMOs, or genetically modified organisms, are crops produced using a precise method of plant breeding to achieve desirable traits.
Seedless watermelon and grapes aren't GMOs.
“There is no modification of the plants,” he emphasized. “In fact, Wild Blueberries are one of the few plants in the world about which you could say this.” This last statement really got my attention: One of the few plants in the world that have not been modified by man?
You may have wondered 'are tomatoes GMO' or 'is there such a thing as a genetically modified tomato'? The answer is no, while there may be an 'm' and two 'o's, there are no 'GMOs' in 'tomato'.
Now that summer is in full swing in North America, people have been asking one of our favorite GMO questions again. Let's clear up a point of confusion: there are no commercially available GMO watermelons!
Are oranges GMO?
While nearly all foods today have been genetically modified or altered in some way through years of selective breeding, oranges are not an example of a GM crop because they have not had their genetic makeup altered through bioengineering.
Arctic Apple varieties currently on the market include Arctic Golden (in biotech lingo, the cultivar “event” is called GD743) and Arctic Granny (GS784), and Arctic Fuji (NF872). They are dubiously referred to as “value-added” GMOs.

- Corn: as in corn oil, cornmeal, cornstarch, corn syrup, hominy, polenta, and other corn-based ingredients.
- Canola: as in canola oil.
- Cottonseed: as in cottonseed oil.
- Sugar Beets: as in “sugar” in an ingredient, which is almost certainly a combination of sugar from both sugarcane and GM sugar beets.
Broccoli IS NOT, I repeat, IS NOT considered a genetically modified organism (GMO). If you want to sound even smarter than you already are, refer to broccoli as the product of selective breeding. In short, by controlling the environment, and taking buds from the wild cabbage, broccoli can be forced to reproduce.
- Corn.
- Soybeans.
- Cotton.
- Potatoes.
- Papaya.
- Squash.
- Canola.
- Alfalfa.
D. The answer to your question is no. Currently there are no GMO cantaloupes or mangos on the market or approved for commercialization. In the U.S., 19 different crops have gained approval from the USDA, but only 10 different crops are actually currently being produced.
A chocolate may contain GMO ingredients (e.g., lecithin from soy), but cocoa is not among them.
Most grains, seeds, nuts and beans are non-GMO, says Gruver.
Avocados & Genetic Modification (GMO)
Fresh avocados are a naturally grown product. The Hass variety – the most common varietal sold in the U.S. – is not genetically modified. It is the same varietal that Rudolph Hass discovered and patented in 1935.
No, Coca‑Cola European Partners don't use any genetically modified ingredients in our drinks.
Are eggs GMO?
According to USDA, eggs are not a genetically modified (GM), or bioengineered food. This includes shell eggs and eggs used for processed egg products. Only traditional breeding techniques are used to raise laying hens in the United States; neither chickens nor eggs are modified by genetic engineering.
Seedless plants are not common, but they do exist naturally or can be manipulated by plant breeders without using genetic engineering techniques. No current seedless plants are genetically modified organisms (GMOs).
As the sign says, McDonald's serves billions of meals. Expanding their use of non-GMO ingredients indicates growing commitment to non-GMO and shows they are listening to their customers.
High-Risk GMO Ingredients
And if that list is starting to sound like the side of your cereal box (such as corn starch, corn syrup, and some sweeteners), you're right. Many of the most common ingredients listed within cereals today are also listed as high-risk GMO crops.
Two testing methods are considered to be the most effective for detecting GMOs: DNA-based and protein-based methods. DNA-based GMO testing analyzes the genome of a plant to identify the presence of a genetic modification. EnviroLogix uses a patented technology called DNAble to perform DNA-based detection of GMOs.
GM is a technology that involves inserting DNA into the genome of an organism. To produce a GM plant, new DNA is transferred into plant cells. Usually, the cells are then grown in tissue culture where they develop into plants.
The organic label means free of GMOs and pesticides. Meanwhile, the non-GMO label indicates that the food product was not created with genetically modified organisms (GMOs).
The best way to avoid GMOs is to choose certified organic – food grown in tandem with nature, not against it. Certified organic products can't contain genetically engineered ingredients, so certified organic farmers use certified organic seeds that haven't been manipulated in a lab.
Many GMO crops are used to make ingredients that Americans eat such as cornstarch, corn syrup, corn oil, soybean oil, canola oil, or granulated sugar. A few fresh fruit and vegetables are available in GMO varieties, including potatoes, summer squash, apples, papayas, and pink pineapples.
- Soy. Of all crops, soy is the most heavily modified. ...
- Corn. Corn is one of the most heavily modified crops. ...
- Rice. ...
- Potato. ...
- Tomato. ...
- Canola Oil. ...
- Papaya. ...
- Beets.
What are the negative effects of GMOs on human health?
It is known that the main concerns about adverse effects of GM foods on health are the transfer of antibiotic resistance, toxicity and allergenicity. There are two issues from an allergic standpoint.