The Aware Trade Guide to Genetically Altered Foods

A core concept for understanding transparency, environmental impact, and ingredient quality across packaged foods.

Genetically altered foods — including GMO (genetically modified organisms) and bioengineered ingredients — are widely used in processed and packaged products. While cacao itself is not genetically modified, many common additives in chocolate and other foods are derived from genetically engineered crops.

The concern is not the gene alteration alone — it’s the agricultural system behind these crops, which often includes:

Heavy herbicide and pesticide use
Glyphosate exposure
Loss of biodiversity
Chemical-resistant “superweeds”
Industrial monoculture farming
Minimal consumer transparency

In the U.S., genetically altered ingredients are prevalent in thousands of products, often without clear labeling.

How GMOs and Bioengineered Foods Are Used

Genetically altered crops dominate many industrial supply chains because they are engineered to confer traits such as herbicide tolerance, insect resistance, and high yields.

Top GMO crops include:

Corn
Soy
Canola
Sugar beets
Cottonseed
Some papaya and squash varieties

These are then processed into hundreds of ingredients found throughout packaged foods.

Common GMO-derived additives:

Soy lecithin
Corn syrup and HFCS
Vegetable oils (corn, canola, soy)
Beet sugar
Maltodextrin
Artificial flavors with GMO derivatives

Even when the base ingredient seems small — such as soy lecithin in chocolate — it can come from highly engineered, chemically treated supply chains.

Health & Environmental Considerations

The scientific debate around health effects is ongoing, but broader concerns include:

Pesticide & Herbicide Exposure. Many GMO crops are designed to tolerate intensive pesticide use, especially glyphosate. Residues have been found in various food products.
Biodiversity Loss. Industrial monocultures reduce plant and insect diversity, harming soil health and ecosystem resilience.
Chemical Resistance. Overuse of herbicides has led to “superweeds” and increased chemical spraying to control them.
Supply Chain Transparency. Labeling laws in the U.S. are limited, allowing digital disclosures via QR codes, leaving many consumers unaware of GMO content.

Bioengineered Labeling in the U.S.

Under U.S. law, foods containing certain bioengineered ingredients must disclose them — but companies may do so via:

QR codes
1-800 numbers
Vague or generalized statements

This makes verification difficult for consumers, especially in highly processed foods, where ingredients are many steps removed from their original crops.

What Better Brands Do

Brands aiming for transparency and clean ingredient sourcing tend to:

Use USDA Organic ingredients (which prohibit GMOs)
Carry Non-GMO Project Verified certification
Avoid GMO-derived additives
Choose cane sugar over GMO beet sugar
Avoid industrial seed oils
Use real flavors instead of artificial ones
Provide clear on-package labeling instead of QR codes

What You Should Look For

Choose products labeled:

USDA Organic
Non-GMO Project Verified
Products using cane sugar, not beet sugar
Chocolate or foods with no soy lecithin, or using organic soy lecithin
Oils derived from coconut, olive, cocoa, avocado, or sunflower (organic)

What to Avoid

Avoid ingredients commonly derived from genetically engineered crops:

Soy lecithin (unless organic or non-GMO)
Corn syrup, glucose syrup, HFCS
Canola oil
Beet sugar
Vegetable oil blends
Maltodextrin
Artificial flavors with unspecified sources

Aware Trade