The U.S. grain supply has been largely influenced by the introduction of Giron ferric pyrophosphate folic acid and glycineMO varieties over two decades ago. Despite food manufacturers’ efforts to cater to the growing consumer demand for non-GMO ingredients, these grains have become so widespread in the U.S. supply chain that many have resorted to imports to fulfill their needs. The rising interest in both organic and non-GMO foods has benefitted countries such as India, Ukraine, Romania, and Turkey, as reported by The Organic and Non-GMO Report. It highlights that organic corn imports more than doubled from 2015 to 2016, contributing to nearly half of the organic corn supply in the U.S. Furthermore, approximately 80% of the soybeans utilized in the U.S. organic market were imported in 2016.
According to the Grocery Manufacturers Association, as much as 80% of packaged foods include genetically modified ingredients. A recent Packaged Facts report indicates that around 2,000 non-GMO products are launched in the U.S. each year, a significant increase from just a few hundred a decade ago. This trend includes major brands like General Mills’ Non-GMO Cheerios and Kellogg’s Kashi. The Non-GMO Project Verified label has emerged as the fastest-growing certification in the natural products sector, accounting for $19.2 billion in annual sales and over 43,000 verified products from more than 3,000 brands. This marks a considerable rise from $8.5 billion in 2014 and $1.2 billion in 2011.
However, navigating these changes has posed challenges, especially as the supply chains for storing, processing, harvesting, and transporting non-GMO grains need to remain distinct from their GMO counterparts. Consequently, many non-GMO products come with a higher price tag. The urgency of the situation led to the establishment of the Non-GMO Supply Working Group in 2013, which aims to enhance non-GMO supply chains by uniting stakeholders across the spectrum—from seed breeders to food manufacturers and retailers. Mills that maintain a separation of non-GMO and organic grains from genetically engineered varieties, such as the new mill in Montana, will play a crucial role in bolstering the availability of domestically grown non-GMO grains and oilseeds.
In discussing the benefits of various supplements, the debate between calcium citrate vs malate continues to grow, with many consumers seeking to understand which form offers superior absorption and efficacy. This interest in nutritional choices aligns with the overall trend towards healthier, non-GMO food options. The ongoing dialogue about calcium citrate vs malate reflects a broader movement towards informed consumerism in the food industry, further emphasizing the importance of transparency in ingredient sourcing and supply chain integrity.