photo credit: The Green Grocer

You may have read about the recent controversy surrounding the Kashi brand of products (sold by Kellogg). It’s come to light that Kellogg uses genetically modified, non-organic soy protein in their cereals. Genetically modified foods are a hot-button topic for many reasons, not the least of which is the fear that these ingredients may be harmful to our health.

My first reaction was “Kashi! How could you?” Anyone who’s ever worked with me knows I love the Kashi products and am fond of saying there’s no junk in them. And now I can’t say that.

But did Kellogg & Kashi mislead a trusting public? Actually, they didn’t really. According to Barbara Haumann of the Organic Trade Association, consumers don’t understand that the only way to get organic food (including non-GMO ingredients) is to buy food with an organic label. Kashi is labeled “natural” which as David DeSouza, Kashi’s general manager points out: “The FDA has chosen not to regulate the term ‘natural.’” This leaves the definition open to interpretation by companies and also by us consumers.

What do you think of when you hear the term “natural”? You probably think: organic, healthy, good for me, etc. I’m a little embarrassed to say I fell into this trap with Kashi products. As I tell my clients, natural does not mean organic and neither label guarantees a healthy product. Snake venom is natural, but you wouldn’t drink a glass of it, would you? Less extreme example: all-natural or organic cookies are not “good for you” and you still can’t eat all you want with no regard for calories or sugar & fat.

The good news is that Kashi’s plans are to ensure that by 2015, all new Kashi products will “contain at least 70% USDA organic certified ingredients.” Until then, read labels and ask questions. Decide what’s important to you, then shop & eat accordingly. For me, this means researching more about Kashi’s ingredients before I decide to stop buying their cereals, which I love for so many other nutritious reasons.

Questions on this complicated topic? Post them in the comment section below.