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The Official Whole Foods Market® Blog
Weekend Sale: Non-GMO Project Verified Products
| Meet the Blogger | More Posts by Paige Brady
As American consumers, we have a right to know what we are eating. One of the important choices anyone can make is whether or not to eat foods containing GMOs (Genetically Modified Organisms, also called genetically engineered ingredients). Because GMOs are pervasive in our food supply, many familiar foods we sell may contain them. And because food manufacturers are not required to label them, many Americans are not even aware that GMOs are in many of their favorite foods.
As America’s leading retailer of natural and organic foods, Whole Foods Market® is proud to support GMO choice and transparency, such as supporting labeling efforts like Proposition 37 in California and also by providing our customers with the most Non-GMO and organic products available anywhere. And we are really excited to announce that all Whole Foods Market® stores in the US and Canada will have hundreds of Non-GMO Project Verified products on sale this weekend, from Friday, October 19 through Sunday, October 21.
We’ve supported mandatory product labeling measures over the years, most recently California’s Proposition 37 and Washington State’s Initiative Measure 522, with the hope that these state efforts will lead to one federal standard. We also work one-on-one with hundreds of our supplier partners to encourage them to get their ingredients from Non-GMO sources.
Here are some ways you can avoid GMOs while supporting ingredient choice and transparency:
- Go organic! The USDA National Organic Standards do not allow genetically engineered seed and ingredients in the growth and production of organic foods.
- Look for the Non-GMO Project Verified seal, which indicates the product has passed a third-party verification program indicating that a product has been produced according to best practices and procedures to avoid the intentional use of GMO ingredients.
- Buy 365 Everyday Value® organic food products and plant-based non-organic 365 Everyday Value® food products -- both sourced to avoid genetically engineered ingredients.
- Shop our Non-GMO Project Verified sale this weekend!
Please celebrate Non-GMO month with us by taking advantage of our sale this weekend. Beyond this weekend and this month, if having non-GMO options are important to you, purchase from companies whose products are non-GMO verified and show your support for organics.
146 Comments
Comments
Wholefoods, albeit late, your support of Prop 37 is very much appreciated. You have regained my support and I will shop at your stores again.
10/18/2012 1:34:44 PM CDT
@P - We do carry GMO products in our stores due to the pervasiveness of GMOs. We encourage customers who are looking to avoid GMOs to shop for organics (the USDA National Organic Standards do not allow genetically engineered seed and ingredients in the growth and production of organic foods), our 365 Everyday Value organic food products and plant-based non-organic 365 Everyday Value food products -- both sourced to avoid genetically engineered ingredients.
10/18/2012 1:41:14 PM CDT
Good for you and for me. Keep up the good work.
10/18/2012 1:53:36 PM CDT
Change is good.
10/18/2012 2:09:30 PM CDT
I have been shopping at Whole Foods for years because it is the best option for non-GMO and organic products, though several new stores have opening in the South Bay Area recently that also carry some organic options. However, one thing that particularly frustrates me is that it is very difficult to obtain vitamin and mineral supplements that are not full of corn and soy ingredients. I also find it annoying that, when I first ask for help in the vitamin isle, the Whole Foods clerk inevitably says that Whole Foods does not carry GMO products. You have to get your clerks to stop saying that because it is not true. Whole Food's own line of supplements contain soy and corn fillers and inert ingredients. They are not marked organic or non-GMO so I have to assume they are GMO, particularly since the vast majority of corn and soy contain RoundUp and Bt. I also find that many of the Whole Food brand items contain canola, something many of us prefer to avoid, even if it is organic. I think it would be a great idea if Whole foods would manufacture a line a vitamins and minerals that are GMO and canola free. Organic would also be nice. I would pay more to avoid poisoning myself with supplements that are supposed to improve my health.
10/18/2012 2:17:53 PM CDT
Okay move... but too little for the leading natural/organic chain. If Kroger or Safeway did this... okay they don't really have any other choice, but we're talking about Whole Foods THE national organic certified grocer. I loved you guys, I fought for you with my family/friends, I forgave your support of "co-existence" of GMO alfalfa. NOT SUPPORT PROP 37 FINANCIALLY I CANNOT FORGIVE YOU. I wish I could, but I can't. So sorry.
10/18/2012 3:36:02 PM CDT
Excellent, with all the flak about the GMO's now it's a relief that you all will be definitely marking GMO free stuff!! jccampb
10/18/2012 3:38:35 PM CDT
Wholefoods should step up a bit further and not carry GMO foods at all!! Then i would def be your loyal customer.
10/18/2012 4:32:12 PM CDT
When you say "Buy 365 Everyday Value® organic food products and plant-based non-organic 365 Everyday Value® food products -- both sourced to avoid genetically engineered ingredients." you avoid genetically engineered ingredients .. that really is not good enough for me. Since you have the capability to label your own products you should label what 365 products have GMO's and which don't. That way there is not guessing. I for one will avoid them unless I know for sure. Thank you! :)
10/18/2012 7:20:33 PM CDT
Nothing in your store where you claim not to sell anything unnatural, should ever contain a genetically altered food. I am truly appalled. Your monopoly shut almost every independent health food store down, and now there is no where to shop for healthy all natural foods. I will boycott your store if you don't do something about this GMO issue soon!
Sincerely,
Michelle Healy
10/18/2012 7:25:30 PM CDT
We shop at Whole Foods Market in Green Hills in Nashville, TN. We love your store. I want to thank you for agreeing that the California label referendum
makes pretty good sense, especially compared to Monsanto and company. There was a campaign I was not part of last year in Nashville, based on the
Millions Against Monsanto model. I do not like campaigns that are too negative, even though I may agree on the issue. Last spring I discovered the
model put out by Dr. Vandana Shiva, which is based on health, and human rights, biodivesity, soil fertility and more . It is called Seed Freedom, and it
is easy to figure it out by going to www.navdanya.org It's an inspiring site. This is an international campaign for Seed Freedom. The philosophical
and ecology values are inspiring to me. We have a group in Nashville, whose name and facebook page are Seed Freedom Nashville. If you could
perhaps consider us placing a flyer or even put in it the WFM Nashville newsletter, that would help the message travel faster throughout Tennessee.
Can you please forward this to the Nashville store? I think you will like our facebook page. Nancy Gunderson McFadden
10/18/2012 7:58:03 PM CDT
Thanks
10/18/2012 9:27:25 PM CDT
Would be great to have this kind of events in many cities around the world
10/18/2012 9:42:15 PM CDT
This is a good step in the right direction!! I have not been to the store to look for these non-gmo products yet, but I hope that the non-gmo products are easy to find.
For example:
1) Have a separate section on each aile for the non-gmo products with a big sign identifying the
products.
2) Provide a list on your web site of all the non-gmo products that are available at Whole Foods.
I also have a question pertaining to the following bullet from this article:
•Buy 365 Everyday Value® organic food products and plant-based non-organic 365 Everyday Value® food products -- both sourced to avoid genetically engineered ingredients.
Could someone please give a more detailed definition of (plant-based non-organic 365 Everyday Value® food products )?
10/19/2012 12:40:26 AM CDT
I Applaude that you are Featuring Non-GMO Products. It's Imperative that people begin to Wake Up & See what's happening with our Healthy Food & Seeds.
At the same time.. You Need to Put Your $$$ Where Your Mouth Is and Support PROP 37 Financially!
It's True that You Will be Remembered for what you Do or Don't Do and this is Your Opportunity to Help Change the Freedom of Food to Benefit the People and Not those Who Profit!
Do what's Right for Your Customers and Always have Non-GMO's Displayed with Literature explaining the Dangers of GMO's and Financially Support PROP 37! It's not only going to Help California, but The World!
10/19/2012 1:24:54 AM CDT
I do love wholefoods, expensive yes, but lots interesting products, but if you are so in favor of labeling GMO's why aren't there big signs saying "SUPPORT PROP 37" in all your stores and on your products, where are the petitions to sign and the biggest why is why haven't you contributed to the PROP 37 fund
10/19/2012 2:29:14 AM CDT
I hope that Whole Foods will support labeling on foods, as consumers have a right to know if they are eating these toxic foods. The company could be a strong advocate and voice in laws like Prop 37 in California.
10/19/2012 5:02:46 AM CDT
This sale raises awareness around the need to label GMO foods across your entire footprint of stores. I read one users comment about donating to the Prop 37 cause but I think the sale could end up making a bigger impact; especially if you were to couple it with an handout/ pamphlet about GMO foods. Hopefully the labeling laws will bring the much needed transparency even to your "natural" market. Maybe next we can legally define the use of the word "natural".
10/19/2012 7:29:23 AM CDT
I am finding it far more difficult to shop at Whole Foods due to the fact that most of the food is not labeled for Non-GMO. For instance, I like to buy the whole roasted chicken or their chicken salad, but I suspect it was fed GMO feed...in addition, if you are going to serve hot food such as a roasted chicken, why plop it in a plastic container? Why not a waxed paper container.
10/19/2012 10:36:46 AM CDT
Love Whole Foods stores and this is one of the big reasons! Thanks for supporting a healthy sustainable way of life !
10/19/2012 10:36:50 AM CDT
We are the consumers and we pay for the foods. We need to know what we are eating.
10/19/2012 10:57:53 AM CDT
Living a healthy life style is a choice. I should be the one to decide what type of foods I want to eat. Thank you Whole Foods Market for caring about your customers and supporting the GMO choice, so that your customers can make the best choice for their well-being on a personal level.
10/19/2012 11:26:54 AM CDT
So glad you are AT LEAST paying lip service to non-GMO foods, but why in the name of corporate honesty and avoiding hypocrisy haven't you DONATED MONEY to help support Prop 37 ?? !!
Talk is cheap, and having a sale on non-GMOs suggests that you are totally supportive, BUT the truth is that you have NOT really been there to help finance the effort to guarantee that labeling will be approved.
I'm not impressed with your grandstanding efforts. Get in there and help finance the efforts to be sure Prop 37 is approved !
10/19/2012 12:39:44 PM CDT
Non GMO!!!
10/19/2012 12:41:58 PM CDT
Thank you for finally making a statement that you're supporting YES on Prop 37 but I haven't heard Whole Foods has made any donations in support of it yet. If no financial support is coming it would be great if you can put up a signs on all your entrace doors stating your YES support on Prop 37 (you can just print out your statement you sent out). I find it very sad that America being a free country has to fight to know what's in our food, we just want a label on it so we have a choice. After seeing Dr. Oz this week he had a segment about Prop 37 and they showed pictures of tumor infested rats from eating GMO Bt corn (France did a two year study, there are NO studies in the US because we might get educated and stop eating GMO’s). The images of those rats are forever in my mind so when I go grocery shopping I will be looking at labels to avoid eating ALL corn, soy, papayas, sugar beets and canola (per Dr. Oz) until our food is labeled or I know there is NO GMO’s in what I purchase such as the NON GMO-Project foods.
10/19/2012 1:01:54 PM CDT