I'm afraid this may be the beginning of the end of safe food in Europe. The EU has approved the growth of a GM potato for "industrial use." The GM potato will be used in pharmaceuticals, paper production and other industries, and the skins will be allowed to be fed to cattle. If you ask me, cattle feed is not "industrial". This is part of the food chain, and what our food animals eat, we are basically eating too.

I was glad when I moved to France that I was safe from genetically modified food, since anything containing them must be labled as such by EU law. In the U.S. it's almost a given that anything you buy that has a label is highly likely to contain GM ingredients to some extent, since 80% of the American corn crops are genetically modified, and so many foods contain corn or some derivative of it. (Interestingly, popcorn is among the corn that is not genetically modified).

It isn't only the possible danger to our health that GM foods pose, but also to the environment. Though they say that stringent controls will be used to ensure the altered genes don't escape into the environment, that is virtually impossible, as crops commonly cross-pollinate with crops in neighboring fields. Organic and conventional crops will be compromised.

First corn, now potatoes. What will be next? The EU has allowed a crack in the door that was keeping GM foods off our tables. If we don't stop it now, there will be no avoiding them. A petition has been created to put a moratorium on the introduction of GM crops into Europe and set up an independent, ethical and scientific body to research and determine the strong regulation of GM crops. If you are interested in adding your voice to this petition, you can find it here.

I am inspired to go find an heirloom seed company and place an order, just in case the only way I'll be able to ensure I'm eating healthy food is to grow it myself!