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Several readers have posted comments inquiring about the GMO status of various products reviewed on this blog.  A recent comment on our favorite tortilla chip prompted me to ask the grocer via email what the GMO content was for the tortilla chips specifically and their GMO policy in general.  The reply appeared well thought out and further briefly explained specific U.S.A. (United States of America) regulations (and non-regulations) which affect the food grown and consumed in the U.S.A.  As the grocer points out below, these regulations affect many other retail grocers in the same way.

So hopefully without me getting in the middle of the GMO debate, here is one retail grocer’s take on the status of GMO products in the U.S.A.  Note also the reference to USDA National Organic Standards mentioned in the reply (linked here).  Hope this helps you find the product(s) you want.

The grocer’s email reply below within curly brackets {} and italicized.

{

December 8, 2014

Reference: #xxxxxxx

Dear Mr. xxxxx,

We have received your inquiry regarding genetically modified foods.

The safety of our products for consumption is our number one commitment to our consumers. ALDI recognizes that many consumers have concerns regarding genetically modified organisms, also known as GMOs, in the food they buy.

Today, the U.S. food supply is not organized to separate nor track GMO ingredients. As with nearly all retail grocers, products sold at ALDI may contain GMOs. Currently, foods containing GMO ingredients must go through the same safety protocols under FDA and USDA guidelines as conventional foods and generally are regarded as safe. Our approach to genetically modified ingredients in food has been guided by the preferences of consumers as well as managing business operations in accordance with all U.S. laws, including USDA and FDA regulations that govern food safety and nutrition.

The USDA National Organic Standards prohibit the use of GMOs in organic food. Therefore, consumers interested in avoiding GMOs in their grocery store should look for certified organic produce and packaged foods. ALDI US offers the exclusive SimplyNature product line which contains several certified organic items. ALDI also is rolling out an expanded offering of certified organic produce.

ALDI will continue to monitor trends in consumer preference and labeling regulations, including those concerning GMOs.

Thank you again for reaching out to us. We appreciate your patronage.

Sincerely,

ALDI Customer Service

[i] http://www.ams.usda.gov/AMSv1.0/nop

PLEASE DO NOT REPLY TO THIS MESSAGE

“This email and any files transmitted with it are confidential and intended solely for the use of the individual or entity to which they are addressed. If you have received this email in error please notify the sender. Please note that any views or opinions presented in this email are solely those of the author and do not necessarily represent those of the company. Finally, the recipient should check this email and any attachments for the presence of viruses. Aldi accepts no liability for any damage caused by any virus transmitted by this email.”

}

Tags: aldi, food, food policy, gmo

This entry was posted on 12/12/2014 at 14:52 and is filed under ALDI, cooking and related items, food, Politics, Religion, and other lost causes, Recipes, food, cooking and related items. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.