Hope you haven't been relying on the 'natural' label on your purchased food to mean anything because
Consumer Reports has burst that bubble and reports that their testing shows that the 'natural' label means nothing and that GMO's (genetically modified organisms) are hiding in your purchased foods.
Guardian UK
A majority of US packaged foods labeled as “natural” and tested by Consumer Reports actually contained a substantial level of genetically modified ingredients, according to a report issued Tuesday by the non-profit product testing group. Consumers are being misled by the “natural” label, said Urvashi Rangan, executive director of Consumer Reports Food Safety and Sustainability.
Only two labels found to be free of GMO's
While foods labeled as “non-GMO”, or “organic” were found to be free of genetically modified corn and soy, virtually all of the foods labeled as “natural” or not labeled with any claim related to GMO content contained substantial amounts of GMO ingredients, Consumer Reports said. GMOs were present in breakfast cereals, chips and infant formula, the group said.
There is
no consensus (pdf) in the scientific community about the safety of genetically modified crops. So if you don't want to risk your health or the health of those you love there are only two labels that you can depend on that will accurately show the absence of GMO's. Those labels are shown at right.
Vermont has passed a law that requires foods containing GMO ingredients to be labeled. And many other states are considering mandatory labeling of GMO foods, including Colorado and Oregon, which have the issue on the ballot for the November election.