The 10 Most Common Genetically Modified Foods

Have you ever wondered what the most common genetically modified foods are? Most of us know that the food we consume today is not 100% natural, in the sense that vegetables for example do not grow the same way in nature as they do on a farm. We rarely stumble across wild tomatoes, apples, oranges, or lettuce while taking a hike or wandering through a field, and if we do, they usually don’t look as tempting as the ones available at your local grocer. Over centuries, farmers have perfected the art of harvesting crops, while large companies have dedicated billions of dollars to developing fertilizers, pesticides, and highly resistant seeds. The most common genetically modified foods are simply the newest development in a field that has been the backbone of the world economy for as long as anyone can remember.

Since agriculture occupies such a predominant spot in most economies and growing food has been humankind’s first and foremost preoccupation, it comes as little surprise that technology has made its way into this industry. As you might have already seen in a recent post on 5 fascinating examples of genetically modified organisms, science has played a crucial role in the development of new breeds of organisms. When it comes to crops, the scenario is the same. By genetically modifying foods, farmers have to worry less about adverse weather conditions and plagues, while consumers can enjoy the most wonderful produce possible. Our list on the most common genetically modified foods will demonstrate that most of these items are consumed on a regular basis, despite the fact that you might not even be aware of the science involved.

As stated above, improving taste, quality, and resilience to pests, are all factors driving genetic modification forward. There are however critics, who claim this unnatural process is not beneficial for humans, raising health concerns to the center of the debate. Nevertheless, with the world population growing at an alarming rate and weather conditions becoming more and more unpredictable, the necessity usually outweighs the concerns. Without going into further detail, let’s turn our attention to our list of the most common genetically modified foods and see what we can learn.

10. Sugar Beets

Due to their slow production rates, sugar beets were recently modified in an attempt to increase output. However, federal courts have recently revoked the USDA approval of sugar beets, due to failure to present an Environmental Impact Statement, thus bringing production to a temporary halt.

9. Potatoes

As one of the most popular products on the market, potatoes have been genetically modified to resist diseases. Since 75% of potatoes are actually used to feed animals, scientists are working at an accelerated pace to improve the genetic composition of this product.

The countdown of the most common genetically modified foods continues on the next page.