GMO WARNING: Beware the Arctic Apples

Part 3 of this series takes us to a day when apples no longer brown when cut. It's a dream come true for... someone, I guess. I always just added a little bit of lemon juice to keep them from browning, but why go natural when you can go GMO?

Image courtesy of Dawn Hudson

Why GMO? The Arctic® apples , developed by Okanagan Specialty Fruits, Inc. are engineered to be non-browning. Woo hoo.

Here's the thing -- the reason apples brown in the first place is because of a natural enzyme. Remember the saying, "An apple a day keeps the doctor away"? Well, with these beauties, that will no longer be the case. Why? Well because these perfectly un-brown apples will no longer be able to fight off diseases and pests without that all important enzyme. Guess what that means? MORE PESTICIDES! Yep, you read that right. Unless you're buying organic apples, you and your family are ingesting more and more pesticide residue. And with these GM apples, it will only get worse.

Initially, the USDA approved the apples, despite much opposition. They later deregulated them, so you won't see them in the stores just yet. They have, however, been approved by the FDA. It's just a matter of time.

They'll be marketed to the fast food industry for those "healthy" alternatives to French fries and such. We can only hope that some of the companies who said no to Innate Potatoes will nix the Frankenfood apples as well. 

On the good news front, McDonald's, Wendy's, and Gerber have already said they won't be buying them. And neither will I. 

Keeping you informed,