CathrineSilver.com

As I wandered through the produce section of the grocery stores lately, I have noticed that there seems to be some devious marketing at play.  Even the stores like Whole Foods, or Lucky’s which I thought had a certainly integrity, have taken on a whole new attitude it seems.  Imitation food available for you on every stand or aisle?  Now, in the world of precise technology and beautiful people we have been programed to believe that fruits and vegetables are “perfect” too.  Therein, lies a great tool for marketing and purchasing—beautiful to look at—and picture perfect for our eyes—but at what cost to our biology, our Innate ‘smart body” and our long-term physical well-being?  Who are these modified foods good for, if not for us and our families? Have the concepts of old fashioned nutrition and good tasting natural flavors gone out of style?

I thought that the produce code beginning with the number “3” alerts the buyer that it has been genetically modified, but I wanted to make sure: was I remembering correctly.  After all, I was in Whole Foods.  It had been some time since I had shopped there.  Lately, I had been so busy, with my practice, I was stopping at the closest Publix on my way home from the gym—and was running in and out—picking up only what I needed for dinner that evening; or the next.

I approached an employee in the Produce department, pulling vegetables off his cart and restocking the empty shelves.  I had a big ripe tomato in my hand, and I wanted to confirm if the 3 was the genetically modified produce code, and so I asked him.  His reply was not a simple yes or no, and that’s what surprised me. Instead, he replied that you couldn’t believe everything you read on the Internet.  Yes, I was well aware of that, but IIN’s (Institute for Integrative Nutrition) text book was at home and it had been a few years since I had pulled it off the shelf to confirm my question. I usually just looked for the sign that said “ORGANIC”.  (I knew a “9” was organic—and thought I remembered a “4” was conventional.) And, since the handwritten sign in front of the display of tomatoes announced “Local Fresh Florida Tomatoes” I decided to ask—since—it seemed a contradiction.  I needed to know what I was really buying.

So, “Bob” from Produce answered me this way: Looking me straight in the eyes, he said, “You can’t believe everything you read on the internet”. My reply, as I stared him right back, and being as polite as I could, challenged him: “Do you believe the Internet is correct when they say a “9” is organic produce?”  He didn’t answer.  I continued, “so you’re telling me you don’t believe what the Internet says about the “3” but you do believe it when the Internet declares the “9” means organic?  It seems you can’t have it both ways.”  The discussion then moved another direction.  Bob continued, “You know we’re not in California”—I must have looked confused. “This is not mandated by law like it is in California.  Florida law does not require us to disclose whether something is genetically modified”—“for all to see what their buying”—I interrupted. The bottom line is, he didn’t know, and his defensive attitude took me back.

“Where is the integrity of Whole Foods?”, I asked.  What the heck is this all about?  Greed, I supposed.  He couldn’t say any more, and I knew it.  Probably instructed to tell his customers exactly what he had said, so it wouldn’t jeopardize his job.  I knew that story well—I had been told at my short stint at Lowes, that my customer service was too good—and I needed to give customer service like people were in the drive-through; sure when they are considering $10,000 worth of flooring? It wasn’t an Egg-McMuffin after all.

So, after I walked away—I decided to refresh my memory.  As it turns out, the “3” or “4” indicate conventional—and the “8” indicate GMO—the “9” Organic.  But, here’s the catch, the labels are really only for the employees who man the check-out stands—and don’t convey much more than the right produce code and for the inventory “elves”.

Jeffery Smith, Consumer Advocate and Author, ‘Seeds of Deception’ tells us that “those that run PLU-universe figured that someday some retailer might want to distinguish between a GMO and a non-GMO for price or inventory purposes. So, they created a convention of 5 digits starting with an 8, just in case it catches on. But, it has not. No one uses that number 8 as far as we can tell. And why would they? Most Americans say they would avoid GMOs if they were labeled.”

So, where does that leave us?  What about those of us, who Jeffery Smith calls finicky eaters  because we value our immune and reproductive systems, and don’t want our kids to “end up with the organ damage common among GMO-fed lab animals?”  Keep reading.

Many foods contain GMO ingredients.  As example, many packaged breads and bakery items contain GMO ingredients such as corn syrup, soy flour, and sugar from sugar beets.  You must look for the Non-GMO project seal on packaging to ensure that the product you are purchasing is non-GMO project verified.  You can also go to: www.NonGMOShoppingGuide.com and peruse the long lists of non-GMO and GMO brands by category. They provide a Download and a two-page version, or order the pocket guide, or even equip your iPhone with the new app “ShopNoGMO”.

If you’re not sure if GMOs are bad for you, visit www.HealthierEating.org, and read, listen, or watch, and find out why more and more doctors and medical organizations are prescribing non-GMO diets to all patients. Another enlightening tool that the whole family can watch is the movie, Genetic Roulette, the gamble of our lives.  I have watched it and highly recommend this award-winning film on the dangers of GMO’s.

In these days of dark and light, we all need to do our part—vote with our dollars, our intuition and our discernment.  True non-GMO Whole Foods are part of the circle of well-being and health.  It’s always the relationship between our parts that is needed to create balance in who we are and in everything we do!

“Inspired Wellness from Within”

Cathrine Silver, BA, HC, AADP

About Cathy Silver

Cathrine Silver, HC, AADP, is a Certified Holistic Health Coach in private practice in Lauderdale by the Sea, Florida. She works collaboratively with clients on their desires regarding disease, relationships, spirituality, and loss. Suffering through her own loss in 2005, Cathrine motivates and empowers others to be the heroes in their own lives, becoming fully responsible for their own happiness, joy and well-being.

Cathrine holds a degree in Speech Communication from the University of Washington, is a graduate of the Institute for Integrative Nutrition and holds certifications in Reiki, Matrix Energetics, Hypnosis, Biological Decoding and Grief Counseling. She is the author of the book, Riding the Light Beam: How Any Woman Can Find the Hero

www.Cathrinesilver.com (Website)

www.cathysilver.me (Blog)

cathysilverhealth@gmail.com (email)

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