Ken Roseboro is a journalist who has written extensively about genetically modified foods, GMO testing, non-GMO certification, and identity preservation. His articles have appeared in leading agricultural and food industry magazines, including Natural Foods Merchandiser, Organic Processsing, Seed World, World Grain, American Food and Ag Exporter, Prepared Foods, Food Processing, Food Quality, European Food and Drink Review, Natural Products Industry Insider, and others. Ken is author of Genetically Altered Foods and Your Health (2004 Basic Health Publications) and The Organic Food Handbook (2007 Basic Health Publications). He has also given presentations at many conferences, including the Organic Trade Association’s annual tradeshow, All Things Organic. Ken is a member of the board of directors of the Iowa Organic Association.
In his excellent book Blessed Unrest noted author and entrepreneur Paul Hawken describes the millions of groups worldwide—“ranging from neighborhood organizations to well-funded international organizations”—working to protect the environment and fighting for social justice and human rights.
With increasing consumer concerns over genetically modified foods, sales of Non-GMO Project Verified products are growing—fast. According to natural food market research firm SPINS, Non-GMO Project verified product sales grew 27% over the past year, making it the fastest growing segment in the natural and organic food industry. In addition, Non-GMO verified product sales totaled $450 million in 2010.
Does “natural” mean non-GMO? Not likely. Many breakfast cereals labeled natural are likely to contain ingredients from genetically modified corn, soy, canola, and sugar beets. This was a key finding from a survey of natural cereal manufacturers conducted by The Organic & Non-GMO Report. Several natural cereal manufacturers admitted that their products may contain GM ingredients, one manufacturer refused to comment, and three are putting their products through a non-GMO verification program to avoid the use of GMOs.
In one week, the US Department of Agriculture clearly demonstrated that it favors the bottom line of one biotechnology company, Monsanto, while putting the organic food industry at-risk and ignoring more than 400,000 people who expressed concerns about genetically engineered (GE) foods.
