To encourage good health, it’s important for children to eat safe, healthy, and nutritious foods. Parents know this is not always easy. Recently, many families across the country have expressed concerns about the safety of GMO foods. For this reason, we spoke with Dr. David Gilchrist, a Family Practice physician and Chief of Primary Care at Reliant Medical Group to learn more about the safety of GMO foods.

What exactly are GMO foods?

GMO stands for genetically modified organism. It means the food’s genetic code has been changed. This is done for a number of reasons – including how to improve the way the food grows, insect resistance, how it looks or tastes, and to tolerate herbicides. Many food products we eat each day such as corn, soybeans, and canola oil are GMO foods. Even fish like salmon can be genetically changed to make them easier to grow.

Do any of these foods create health risks for children or adults?

The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) believes that some GMO foods may pose health risks, especially for children, because of the way that they are farmed. GMO crops have been genetically engineered to be resistant to repeated sprayings of weed-killing herbicides. When the farmer sprays the herbicide on the field, it kills the weeds but not the GMO crops. This allows the herbicide to get into the food we eat.

What is the main herbicide used for GMO crops?

It’s called glyphosate. When the weed killer glyphosate was first approved, it was thought to be safe to use. However, in recent years it has come under more scrutiny. It has been shown to raise the risk of some blood cancers, including leukemia and lymphoma. In 2015, the World Health Organization’s International Agency for Research on Cancer classified glyphosate as “probably carcinogenic to humans.” This classification has been the subject of much debate. However, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in the U.S. still allows glyphosate to be used in farming.

When we eat GMO foods, does the herbicide get into our bodies?

Unfortunately, yes. Recent studies in the U.S. have shown that glyphosate is present in the foods we eat, especially ultra-processed foods. One study found that about 87% of 650 children tested in the U.S. had glyphosate in their urine. This is very concerning for any doctor, especially those who care for children. Children are more likely to be affected by pesticides and herbicides because they are still growing. It’s important to know that glyphosate can also be sprayed on non-GMO crops such as oats and wheat before they are harvested.

What are some of the foods and drinks made with GMOs?

GMOs are most often found in ultra-processed foods. These include chicken nuggets, frozen meals, potato chips, corn chips, hot dogs, sweetened cereals, drinks sweetened with high-fructose corn syrup, and many canned and packaged soups. Foods that are often popular with children.

How can a family avoid eating GMO foods?

One way is to look for foods that are certified organic by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). Organic foods are non-GMO foods. They can include everything from eggs and milk to meat and vegetables. Parents should look for the USDA organic seal or QR code on the product’s label. Foods that have only a “GMO-free” or “non-GMO” label are not organic but are free of GMO ingredients.

Should expectant mothers worry about GMO foods?

Studies have shown that unborn babies can absorb GMOs containing glyphosate through their mother. Glyphosate exposure before birth in rural areas has been linked to a number of health problems. These include reduced average birth weight and shortened duration of pregnancy. Scientists are also concerned about the effects of glyphosate on the nervous system of expectant mothers.

As a family doctor, what do you recommend for a healthy diet?

Here are some tips for parents:

• Try to avoid serving ultra-processed foods as much as possible.
• Eating fresh, minimally-processed whole foods will help lower the amount of GMOs in your family’s diet.
• Choose organic foods if you can.
• Remember, there are many healthy and affordable non-GMO foods available.
• Most fresh fruits and vegetables are non-GMO and should be part of a healthy diet.

I also suggest all parents talk to their pediatrician or family doctor about what foods are healthiest for their children to eat. Good nutrition is important for every child.

You can read the full report from the American Academy of Pediatrics on GMO food products here.