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Trader Joes is My New Favorite Grocery Store


Trader Joe's has long been my favorite grocery store because of healtier choices, and better prices, but I recently found more reasons to love them.

I was on a special diet for one week to test for food sensitivity and allergies.  I was pleasantly surprised to find almost everything I needed at Trader Joe's.  I walked out with two big bags of groceries for around $40.00.

But it gets better...

Good News about Non-GMO


As I was testing different foods, I was concerned about genetically engineered food sources, also known as GMO (Genetically Modified Organism), so I went to the Trader Joe's website to ask about their products.  Here is their reply:

Scott,

Thank you for your email. Our approach to Genetically Modified Organisms is simple: we do not allow GMO ingredients in our private label products (anything with Trader Joe's, Jose's, Ming's, etc. on the label).

When developing products containing ingredients likely to come from genetically modified sources, we have the supplier of the product in question perform the necessary research to provide documentation that the suspect ingredients are from non-GMO sources.

This documentation is in the form of affidavits, identity-preserved certification of seed stock, and third-party lab results from testing of the ingredients in question.

In addition to this work done in developing a given item, we perform random audits of items with suspect ingredients, using an outside, third-party lab to perform the testing.

Given our position on GMO ingredients in Trader Joe's label products and the work done in support of that position, it is our expectation that our products test as non-GMO.

We have yet to take the approach of labeling products as non-GMO because there are no clear guidelines from the US governmental agencies covering food and beverage labeling.

Instead of waiting for such guidelines to be put into effect and based upon customer feedback, we took a more holistic approach and made the no GMO ingredients position part of what the Trader Joe's label encompasses.

We're unable to make the same claims for branded products. Organic products, regardless of brand, are by definition non-GMO.

We appreciate your understanding,
Amy
Customer Relations

-----Original Message-----
From: ...lifeisnojoke.com 
Sent: Wednesday, September 19, 2012 4:02 PM
To: Web Customer Relations
Subject: Trader Joe's Product Information Form
Name:Scott M
Phone Number:
Email Address: ...lifeisnojoke.com
Your Trader Joe's: ...
Product Name:Corn or Canola Oil
Sku #:
Date Code:

Comments:  I understand that GMO (Genetically Modified Organism) sources are used for many oils in the US. I would like to know if any of your Corn, Soy, or Canola Oil uses Non-GMO sources. Thanks for continuing to provide the best products at good prices.


 Label Genetically Modified Foods


OK, so what's all this talk about Proposition 37, and the right to know what is in our food?

Check out the website for more info: http://www.carighttoknow.org

  • More than 90% of Americans want to know if their food as been genetically modified.
  • If Genetically Engineered food is so "safe," then why not label the foods?  Aren't they proud of their accomplishments?
  • Over 1 Million Californians signed the petition to get this on the ballot
  • For the first time, it is possible for a state to make a difference because voter initiated propositions are able bypass any corruption.
  • If enough people refuse to eat GM food, markets, manufacturers, and farmers will have to give us better alternatives
  • Sure, it's not perfect, but anything is better then what we have had for years.


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