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Loading...Walmart to Sell Monsanto GMO Corn This Summer
- Brandi, selected from Diets in Review
- February 25, 2012
- 3:30 pm
- 161 comments
Editor’s Note: In an email dated February 28, 2012, Walmart spokesperson Diana Gee said the company does not currently have plans to source this product, and “we do not specifically source foods which are genetically modified.”
By Margaret Badore for DietsInReview.com
Walmart is set to sell a new form of genetically-engineered (GE) sweet corn as early as this summer. Monsanto’s Bt sweet corn contains three GE traits that have never before been consumed directly by humans, and have not been subjected to thorough safety testing. There will be no labeling whatsoever indicating that the corn is a genetically modified organism.
Most GE corn is not fit for human consumption unless it is heavily processed into products like high fructose corn syrup, corn starch, or corn oil. This means that consumers can avoid consuming GE corn simply by choosing not to eat processed foods with corn-derived ingredients. However, Monstanto’s Bt sweet corn will be sold to consumers as whole ears on the cob and will be found in the produce section.
The “Bt” means that the corn contains Bt toxin, which comes from the bacteria Bacillus theringiensis and is commonly used on crops as a pesticide. Monsanto’s corn has been modified to produce this toxin, which means it makes its own pesticide, rupturing the stomachs of the insects that eat it. It is unknown what effect consuming a plant that produces this toxin will have on humans, however lab rats that were fed the Bt corn suffer from organ failure.
A number of grocery stores have already committed to keeping the GE corn off their shelves, including Trader Joe’s and Whole Foods. General Mills has also agreed to not use the new corn in their products. A number of petitions have been started urging Walmart to drop or label the corn as genetically modified. The hope is that if Walmart refuses to sell the Bt sweet corn, other food retailers will follow suit. However, such activists will have a tough fight, since it is well known that Walmart has close ties with Monstanto.
Related:
Petition: Walmart, Don’t Sell Monsanto Corn
8 Ways Monsanto is Destroying Our Health
10 Ways to Take Action Against Monsanto
Petition: Demand Clear Labels on Genetically Engineered Food
Read more: Conscious Consumer, Food, News & Issues, corn, GMO, Monsanto, walmart
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161 comments
+ add your ownMonsanto is good at making us very angry!
I hate Walmart and they only get money from me for certified organic food-that is all I buy there and all I will ever buy except maybe the rare dvd movie if I can't find it at Amazon.
Along with the chemical sprays they use to make things look fresh, they say the produce doesn't last long when you buy it! Not GOOD! Not enough workers in the stores to take care of the place, shelves are empty, 35 people in a line and only 5 lanes open! Oh Those Poor Casher's! Managers have been told to cut hours, the people cannot work the same schedule each week they make it different so they can't work another job and have to rely on aid from the taxpayers! That's US!!!! Then those managers receive big BONUSES doing this. Sam Walton was a Decent Man and wanted to be fair but it went to his kids and family now things are way different!!! Plus In Niquraugua Wall Mart Has hired 300 thugs to attack warehouse workers with pipes and scissors, stole their money and personal belongings plus fired them just because they wished to Organize a Union. One man's leg was broken in three places! This was a women's garment warehouse, made undergarments. What some companies do!!
Who shops at Walmart? I don't. I hope you don't.
Thanks for the article!
how can FDA Approve this when it contains a bt toxin that kills? what do they want to do kill us?!? idiots! & so is walmart if they sell it!
It is unknown what effect consuming a plant that produces this toxin will have on humans, however lab rats that were fed the Bt corn suffer from organ failure.
signed with hope
Down with Monsanto AND Walmart!
Walmart is building a new Super Center here in Lockport, NY, I WILL NEVER SET FOOT IN IT BECAUSE OF THEIR POOR CONSUMER AND ENVIRONMENT POLICIES!! Them beginning to sell GE fresh corn is just one more reason NOT to ever set foot in their store!!!!
Definitely will no longer purchase groceries from Wal-Mart and if I can stop using that company in general, I'll try my best. They are partnering with a company that is intentionally hurting people thru food; this is awful. Wal-Mart + Monsanto + FDA + Health Insurance Companies + Government = chronic illness which leads to death. :( Such a shame that our country is falling apart.
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