One of the best ways to avoid genetically engineered ingredients in the food you consume is to buy from overseas companies based out of Europe, as these companies are statistically far likelier to use non-GMO ingredients.
That’s because GMOs, or genetically modified organisms and ingredients, are banned throughout many European countries for cultivation, with a few minor exceptions such as the recent growing of one type of Monsanto lab engineered corn in Spain.
But now, GMO free advocates are sharing their frustration after it was announced that one of America’s best selling pasta companies is adding a controversial, GMO soy-based, likely pesticide-laced food to its popular line of food items.
GMO Soy Headed to New Line of Italian Style Pasta Products
Founded in the Italian town of Sansepolcro, the Buitoni company prides itself on its Italian heritage, and use of traditional recipes from its home country.
It also was the top selling pasta in the United States in 2017 by a wide margin, with over $44 million in sales.
Some of its relatively wholesome ingredients include durum wheat, onion powder, ricotta and Asiago cheeses among other cheeses, cultured milk, cream, wheat flour, and several others.
The addition of its newest ingredient is far from traditional and, many advocates say, far from healthy, however: Impossible Burger “meat,” which is being added to its “first-of-its-kind” flavors of ravioli, according to a fairly recent press release.
“In looking to create a ravioli with plant-based meat, Impossible Foods was the natural choice for their continued innovation of quality and delicious taste we know consumers will enjoy,” said Peter B. Wilson, Jr., the president and CEO of Buitoni, which is now based in Stamford, Connecticut.
The company is now owned by Brynwood Partners VIII L.P. after it was acquired by Nestlé USA, Inc. in July, 2020.
Italian Sausage, Meat to Be Added From GMO Plant-Like Ingredients
According to the non-profit GMO Free USA, the new Buitoni pasta packages will advertise “beef made from plants” and “Italian sausage made from plants” as ingredients.
Impossible Foods uses “genetically engineered soy grown on industrial farms using toxic, synthetic herbicides, insecticides and fungicides,” GMO Free USA said in a Facebook post.
The company says on its website that genetic engineering is an essential part of (its) mission and product.
“These synthetic pesticides and fertilizers kill pollinators, poison wildlife, and then runoff and pollute our streams, rivers, and oceans, killing off even more species as they flow,” the non-profit went on to state about the GMO soy that will be used.
“Ever heard of ocean dead zones? Yep, monoculture GMO farms are responsible for those. Ever heard of deforestation? Yep, monoculture GMO farms are responsible for that, too.”
The organization went on to call the use of these ingredients “greenwashing at its finest,” in other words, the use of an ingredient that sounds healthier and more environmentally friendly than it actually is in practice.
They went to share their best idea for reducing meat consumption without resorting to eating GMO soy based “meat” products.
“Eat a whole-food, organic salad,” the organization said.
“Both your body and the environment will thank you.”
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Thanks for reading! If you’re going to make pasta, I recommend homemade with organic, homegrown tomatoes, fresh-cut organic vegetables and similar ingredients.
Buy Real Organic Meat from Wild Pastures by clicking here (Receive 20% off your first box).
This is the best culinary salt I have ever used in my cooking (try a free bag here, it’s microplastic-free and mineral rich).
You can also score a free bottle of organic olive oil (straight from family farms in Greece) by clicking on this link.
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About Nick Meyer
