In a study published Oct. 7, Consumer Reports found that “Virtually all of the samples we tested of products that made only a ‘natural’ claim did have a substantial amount of genetically modified organisms.”
“This disconnect is just one reason we are asking the government to ban the use of ‘natural’ labels on food,” said Urvashi Rangan, director of the safety and sustainability center at Consumer Reports.
More than 60 percent of consumers believe that a “natural” label means a food products does not contain genetically modified ingredients, the study said.
The products labeled “natural” that Consumer Reports tested included Pirate’s Booty Aged White Cheddar snacks and Snyder’s of Hanover Yellow Corn Tortilla Chips.
Consumer Reports found that “nearly all” of the samples tested of the products that did not make any non-GMO-related claim on the package did, in fact, contain substantial amounts of genetically modified corn or soy, but also that products labeled as “organic” qualified as non-GMO and that products with the Non-GMO Project Verified seal also qualified as non-GMO.
Consumer Reports said the presence of GMOs confirms the organization’s belief that “GMO labeling should be required in the U.S., but in the meantime some food manufactures are choosing not to use genetically modified ingredients and are noting that on their products’ packaging.”