Questions and Answers
Question
Awesome that you are vegan! I applaud you 100%!
but
I found out today that Boca burgers is manufactured by KRAFT, which we all know is in bed with Monsanto and GMO farming practices. Matter of fact, KRAFT proudly announced that their Soy crop is nearly totally GMO now.
I just wonder what your thoughts are on this... since you are very much into living healthy... and yet you show a photo of Boca burgers in your Mock Meats section....
thanX for your time!
Answer
Thank you for informing me on Kraft and their use of GMO's. I was not aware of that. I had placed Boca in the Mock meat section to provide an option to those looking for a protein substitute, and as a starting point for people looking to get off of eating meat, but I will definitely add the information about GMO's in their products. I am always learning and I appreciate the information!
I understand the concerns surrounding GMO's. I am trying to avoid products made with it. I do see the potential benefits of GMO's to help solve world hunger in regions that needs produce that can survive and prosper. I also see the potential negatives, how is this going to affect the planet, and how will it affect all living creatures in the future? But until there is solid, long term research conducted regarding it's impact of health and the environment, I think it should make up very small percentage of the foods we consume, preferably avoided entirely.
It appears that a vast amount of the soybeans in the US are GMO. According to GMO COMPASS, up to 91 percent of the soybeans farmed in the US is genetically modified ( http://www.gmo-compass.org/eng/agri_biotechnology/gmo_planting/506.usa_cultivation_gm_plants_2009.html ).
This makes it very hard for a lot of people to avoid GMO based foods. Unfortunately for some people, myself included, our budgets make it difficult to buy all non-GMO, pure organic foods. We have to do the best we can with what we have, and sometimes we think we are doing the right thing. I will make a section on this subject and look deeper into alternatives for every budget.
I try very hard to eat well and to buy foods that are good for the environment as well as for the body. The issue I run into is that small, well intentioned companies, such as Whitewave, gets bought out by a bigger corporation that does not share the same passion of the business they took over.
Whitewave makes Silk brand soymilk, which was bought out by Dean Foods in 2004. Dean Foods is known for its dairy line of products. I feel that even though buying Whitewave products ultimately puts money in Dean Foods' pockets, it still helps support the vegan community and all the causes that are still run by Whitewave http://www.whitewave.com/partners-for-better/better-together/
Thank you so much for bringing this matter up. This is exactly what this site was meant for, sharing knowledge and helping each other out!
Brian D
Awesome that you are vegan! I applaud you 100%!
but
I found out today that Boca burgers is manufactured by KRAFT, which we all know is in bed with Monsanto and GMO farming practices. Matter of fact, KRAFT proudly announced that their Soy crop is nearly totally GMO now.
I just wonder what your thoughts are on this... since you are very much into living healthy... and yet you show a photo of Boca burgers in your Mock Meats section....
thanX for your time!
Answer
Thank you for informing me on Kraft and their use of GMO's. I was not aware of that. I had placed Boca in the Mock meat section to provide an option to those looking for a protein substitute, and as a starting point for people looking to get off of eating meat, but I will definitely add the information about GMO's in their products. I am always learning and I appreciate the information!
I understand the concerns surrounding GMO's. I am trying to avoid products made with it. I do see the potential benefits of GMO's to help solve world hunger in regions that needs produce that can survive and prosper. I also see the potential negatives, how is this going to affect the planet, and how will it affect all living creatures in the future? But until there is solid, long term research conducted regarding it's impact of health and the environment, I think it should make up very small percentage of the foods we consume, preferably avoided entirely.
It appears that a vast amount of the soybeans in the US are GMO. According to GMO COMPASS, up to 91 percent of the soybeans farmed in the US is genetically modified ( http://www.gmo-compass.org/eng/agri_biotechnology/gmo_planting/506.usa_cultivation_gm_plants_2009.html ).
This makes it very hard for a lot of people to avoid GMO based foods. Unfortunately for some people, myself included, our budgets make it difficult to buy all non-GMO, pure organic foods. We have to do the best we can with what we have, and sometimes we think we are doing the right thing. I will make a section on this subject and look deeper into alternatives for every budget.
I try very hard to eat well and to buy foods that are good for the environment as well as for the body. The issue I run into is that small, well intentioned companies, such as Whitewave, gets bought out by a bigger corporation that does not share the same passion of the business they took over.
Whitewave makes Silk brand soymilk, which was bought out by Dean Foods in 2004. Dean Foods is known for its dairy line of products. I feel that even though buying Whitewave products ultimately puts money in Dean Foods' pockets, it still helps support the vegan community and all the causes that are still run by Whitewave http://www.whitewave.com/partners-for-better/better-together/
Thank you so much for bringing this matter up. This is exactly what this site was meant for, sharing knowledge and helping each other out!
Brian D
Update...
Boca does carry a limited line of products that are non-GMO. They are identified by the tan colored packaging.
Do BOCA products contain genetically engineered ingredients?
We're committed to providing you with great-tasting products made with the highest-quality soy. It's a fact that much of the high-quality soy grown in the U.S. has been genetically engineered, so the traditional BOCA line of soy-based products may contain ingredients derived from these crops.
We realize that biotechnology is a concern for some people. That's why we introduced a line of products made with non GMO soy. BOCA foods made with non GMO soy do not include genetically engineered ingredients.
Here at BOCA, we believe that foods developed through biotechnology are safe, and there's broad scientific consensus on this. The FDA, USDA and EPA all stand firmly behind the safety of biotech products, as do a host of other health and nutrition organizations, such as the American Medical Association and the American Dietetic Association.
Below is a great link that lists companies that use, planning on discontinuing and don't use GMO's
http://gefreebc.files.wordpress.com/2010/02/greenpeace-shoppers_guide.pdf
Boca does carry a limited line of products that are non-GMO. They are identified by the tan colored packaging.
Do BOCA products contain genetically engineered ingredients?
We're committed to providing you with great-tasting products made with the highest-quality soy. It's a fact that much of the high-quality soy grown in the U.S. has been genetically engineered, so the traditional BOCA line of soy-based products may contain ingredients derived from these crops.
We realize that biotechnology is a concern for some people. That's why we introduced a line of products made with non GMO soy. BOCA foods made with non GMO soy do not include genetically engineered ingredients.
Here at BOCA, we believe that foods developed through biotechnology are safe, and there's broad scientific consensus on this. The FDA, USDA and EPA all stand firmly behind the safety of biotech products, as do a host of other health and nutrition organizations, such as the American Medical Association and the American Dietetic Association.
Below is a great link that lists companies that use, planning on discontinuing and don't use GMO's
http://gefreebc.files.wordpress.com/2010/02/greenpeace-shoppers_guide.pdf
