Thoughts on GMOs: an Interview with Dag Falck

“People don’t want to eat genetically modified foods, but don’t know why.”
Jeffrey Smith, July 16th 2009

On July 16th, 2009, Jeffrey Smith, Founding Director of the Institute for Responsible Technology, international bestselling author and leading spokesperson on the health dangers of Genetically Modified Organisms, gave a special presentation on the health dangers surrounding genetically modified foods at Nature’s Path Organic Food’s headquarters in Richmond, B.C.

After the presentation, I had the opportunity to chat with Dag Falck, Nature’s Path Organic Program Manager. I was eager to learn how Dag felt about the presentation and am excited to share some of the things that we talked about.

How many times have you seen Jeffrey speak in front of an audience?

Dag: I’ve seen Jeffrey speak many times. Maybe five or six. I started listening and learning from Jeffrey many years ago.

Why was it so important to have Jeffrey here to talk to us?

D: Jeffrey is one of the world’s leading authorities on the risks and potential downsides of eating genetically modified foods. It’s very exciting to have him at our office, and to be speaking to the staff here at Nature’s Path. He is dedicated to providing consumers with the knowledge, to educate themselves, to choose food that has not been exposed to genetic modification. People hear that genetically modified organisms are bad, but they don’t understand why we need to be worried.

Was there one strong message that resonated from the presentation that you would like people to know about?

D: Consumers don’t often understand why we need to be worried about genetically modified organisms. We don’t get to hear about the details, research, and science- and the lack of real science and research that allows for GMOs to get approval into the food supply. Jeffrey’s presentation is just that- an explanation. The details are what we had the opportunity to hear about.

I know for myself- hearing Jeffrey speak was very eye opening and at times a little overwhelming. For people who have just started to learn about GMOs- what do you think is the first step that they can take to make smarter food decisions?

D: When I first started to learn about GMOs, I was shocked and overwhelmed too. For me that was a time of deep reflection about our food supply and as a consumer of food, what my choices were. I started to understand as I got more education- which foods are genetically modified, and how to steer clear of them. Taking responsibility is very empowering, you learn about what your options are as a consumer. You don’t have to do it all at once. Jeffrey’s presentation outlines the ways that you can reduce your exposure to GMOs and navigate your options. If we follow what Jeffrey says, we can avoid 99% of genetically modified foods.

Where are the hardest places to avoid GMOs?

D: While dining out. You can control what you bring into your home, but it is very difficult to know exactly what the ingredients are in the food you eat when you are at a restaurant or a friend’s house.

What was one of the most shocking things that you learned, or that you already knew, about GMOs that you think people should know?

D: Jeffrey talked about the 5% tipping point. This means that only 5% of the population has to say no to GMOs in their food supply before things will start to change. GMO labeling will become mandatory. It’s all about educating ourselves, and then taking action. People ask Jeffrey why Europeans are so concerned about GMOs- it’s because they know about them. It was the public educating themselves and saying no to GMOs that paved the way for mandatory GMO labeling in Europe.