GMOs in Canada
So you might know that here at Left Coast we have a formal Non-GMO policy in place. But have you ever been confused about GMOs? What are they? Will they hurt me? How do I know if I am eating them? We think that people are given a choice to know what goes into their bodies. But did you know that Canada is the first (and only) country to have a GMO animal approved for human consumption—say what?!
The film, Modified, by the award winning film maker and food blogger Aube Giroux, shows us the shocking reality of our political landscape. This elegant film speaks to the Canadian perspective of life and food systems while giving an international context for GMOs. Aube tells this story alongside that of her mother’s life, while interspersing it with beautiful, delicious recipes that you can find on the film’s website.
The Filmmaker’s non-GMO Film Journey
Filmmaker Aube Giroux and executive producer Camelia Frieberg
Aube’s non-GMO journey starts in Europe. She says, “I read in an article that Kellogg’s cornflakes in Europe were made with non-GMO corn, but in North America, the same company made the same product with GMO corn. I then lived in Europe for 2 years when an EU-wide GMO labeling policy was put in place. When I came home, I couldn’t stop wondering why companies were manufacturing their products differently here and I wanted to find out why we don’t have transparency when it comes to knowing if our foods contain GMOs or not.”
You CAN make a difference!
One of the most common reasons people either tune out, or at the extreme end, deny that environmental problems exist is because they feel powerless to do anything about them. But you CAN make a difference, and you don’t have to make your own documentary to do it!
As Aube says in the film, “If you love something you want to defend it. And for me that is also a lot of the film is about, we need to love and appreciate our food and be willing to stand up for it.”
Here are some very simple things you can do to make an impact:
- Buy Non-GMO certified foods (all the brands here at Left Coast!)
- Buy Organic (the government does not allow companies to have the 100% Certified Organic label if they contain GMOs)
- Avoid processed foods (or learn more about the source of soy, corn, canola, or sugar on ingredient lists)
- Get Active – watch the film, educate yourself, write a letter to your Member of Parliament.
Learn mo’ about GMOs
I grew up in Alberta, took a minor in Agriculture from the University of Alberta and was even part of the Ag club there where we had industry sponsored events. People bought into the message those big Agrochemical companies were selling to us – that GMOs not just safe but necessary to “feed the world,” but GMOs have not lived up to its promises. So please do #4 on the list and see get a better idea of the true impacts GMOs are having on the health of our food, land, water and ultimately, ourselves.
Modified the film tours across Canada. Show listings and sign-up for DVD release here!
By Shelagh
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