Is Modified Food Safe
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Posted On :
Oct-02-2011
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Article Word Count :
448
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Technology is a great thing and the advances in food science have created some very beneficial outcomes such as higher crop yield, pest-free foods, and an alternative to pesticides. But while food scientists continue to innovate in production, functionality, and formulation, it is consumers’ perceptions that matter most.
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Technology is a great thing and the advances in food science have created some very beneficial outcomes such as higher crop yield, pest-free foods, and an alternative to pesticides. But while food scientists continue to innovate in production, functionality, and formulation, it is consumers’ perceptions that matter most. Let government and industry debate the merits of the latest technology. It is still consumers who ultimately win the argument. Natural food choices are always the best choice, but sometimes modified foods are the only option.
Hormones
Take hormones, for example. For years, producers have primarily used substances such as bovine growth hormone and bovine and pork somatropin to increase milk supply, provide leaner meat, prevent animal disease, and thereby increase supplies and profits. From a health standpoint, producers can achieve lower fat content, which can lessen consumers’ cardiovascular risks.
However, there is concern that residual hormone content can be found in trace amounts in meats, milks and cheeses, and some studies indicate that may lead to increased risk of breast, ovarian and prostate cancers. Armed with that kind of information, consumers start to perceive that that the risk of added hormones is not worth the benefits, a sentiment that cannot be reversed even if evidence of risk were refuted.
As a result, more and more companies, including such well-known names as Kroger Foods, Stonyfield Farms, Publix, HP Hood, Organic Valley and Safeway Dairy Group, have shifted to hormone-free dairy production, more as a response to consumer concerns than any new findings that these hormones are harmful.
Irradiation
Another modification technology, irradiation, preserves food by exposing it to radiation and killing micro-organisms and other pathogens. At lower doses, it may also delay the ripening of fruits and the maturity of vegetables. Irradiation is used in low, medium or high dosage levels depending on the intended purpose and is set by the Codex Alimentus guidelines.
As with many other food modification methods, the FDA regulates irradiation and actually mandates it for certain foods, though critics say this may just be a way to hide poor quality in certain fresh foods. The most common applications are grains, fruits, vegetables and meats such as beef, lamb and pork. The FDA requires any irradiated food to carry a Radura symbol, which resembles a flower enclosed within a circle. Unfortunately, most consumers are not familiar with it, and oftentimes the symbol is difficult to find.
In contrast, several European countries have laws against irradiating food, which leaves American consumers to wonder what Europeans are aware of that the Americans are not, especially when they have few alternates because such a large percentage of food is irradiated.
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Article Source :
http://www.articleseen.com/Article_Is Modified Food Safe_87989.aspx
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Author Resource :
GenoVive is a weight loss solution based on science that uses your unique DNA to create a meal and exercise plan to deliver your most effective results. Find out more at www.genovive.com
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Keywords :
DNA Diet, Weight Loss Plan, DNA Diet Meals Delivered, The DNA Diet Plan, Weight Loss by Science,
Category :
Health and Fitness
:
Nutrition
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