No Genetically Engineered Ingredients

Earth's Best is the First Organic Non-GEI Baby Food.

Talk of Genetically Engineered Ingredients is everywhere, and Earth's Best is pleased to announce that on January 1, 2001 we became the first organic baby food to contain no Genetically Engineered Ingredients (GEIs).

What are Genetically Engineered Ingredients?

Simply put, genetic engineering is the process of taking genes from one strain of plant, animal or virus and inserting them in another, with the goal of reproducing characteristics of the original species in the receiving species. Earth's Best became the first Non-GEI brand of baby food because many popular ingredients used in baby food may contain GEIs including: canola, corn, soybeans, tomatoes, squash and potatoes.

What are the potential risks of GEIs?

• Unpredictable health effects, such as food allergies brought about by the introduction of new genes to any organism or plant.
• Freshness may be an illusion with Genetically Engineered Foods; they will look good but may have diminished nutritional value.
• Genetically Engineered Foods may carry antibiotic resistant genes, which could reduce the effectiveness of antibiotics when taken with those foods, and also aggravate the already problem of antibiotic resistant organisms.
• Strict vegetarian diets may be compromised since unknown animal genes may be inserted into fruits and vegetables.
• Crops may require fewer herbicides and pesticides, but insects and weeds can adapt quickly.
• Ultimately, stronger, more potent weed control may be necessary requiring increased chemical applications.
• Damage to the environment - since new genetic information could cross into other related life forms causing imbalances in the ecosystem.

Benefits of Genetically Engineered Ingredients may include:

• Increased yields of crops.
• Reduction in the use of pesticides and herbicides.
• Improved appearance of produce and extended shelf lives.
• Higher nutritional content for fruits, vegetables and grains.

Labeling

• Currently there are no regulations in place requiring companies to label their products as containing Genetically Engineered Ingredients. At Earth's Best we believe the consumers have the right to be informed and that's why we are labeling all our products as “No-GEIs.”
• To make the statement of No-GEIs, you must set up strict purchasing specifications and undergo rigorous testing to ensure against accidental contamination.
• All organic products are free of GEI. However, non-GEI products may not be organic.
• "More than 80% of consumers want to see genetically-engineered foods labeled as such." (Source: TIME Magazine, January 1999)
• "Over 500,000 mothers have lobbied Congress to mandate the labeling of genetically engineered foods." (Source: Mothers for Natural Law)

Earth's Best is both Non-GEI and Organic.