Many "Natural" Cereals Use GM Grains

By Julie Rooney

Posted March 15, 2011

GMOs Are "Natural?"

Natural cereals do not necessarily have 'natural' ingredients, as reported by The Organic & Non-GMO Report.

Many breakfast cereals from companies like Quaker Oats, Malt-O-Meal, Bear River Valley, Kelloggs, and even Kashi use genetically modified corn, soy, canola and sugar beets in their products.

According to the USDA, the word "natural" is a broad term that refers to foods without artificial colors, flavors, preservatives and additives, but these standards are not enforced by any agency. Although GM products cannot be used in organic-certified food, the USDA does not regulate natural foods except for meat and poultry products.

GMOs Are Everywhere

GM corn and soy are particularly difficult to avoid for food processors because these modified crops are grown in large amounts in the United States. Companies that produce natural cereals along with their other products often buy their grains in bulk, and cross contamination of GM grains and non-GM grains is unavoidable.

Some national cereal manufactures like Annie's Homegrown, Barbara's Bakery, and Peace Cereals were all verified as GMO free, though. Companies that do not use GM grains in their cereals say that avoiding these grains is a major challenge.