Pesticides and Non-GMO Foods

Question:

What is the relationship between pesticides and non-GMO foods? Can food be non-GMO and still contain pesticides? 

Answer:

Let's dive into the difference between non-GMO, pesticide-free, and organic.

If you've been trying to make healthier food choices for your family, you've probably come across labels like "Non-GMO" and "Pesticide-free." But what do they really mean? And are non-GMO foods automatically free from pesticides? Let's clear up the confusion.

What Does "Non-GMO" Mean?

Non-GMO means the food was not made with genetically modified organisms — plants or animals whose DNA has been altered in a lab for traits like faster growth or resistance to pests.

But here's the catch:

Non-GMO doesn't automatically mean pesticide-free. A crop can be non-GMO and still be treated with synthetic pesticides, herbicides, or fungicides.

What Are Pesticides, Herbicides, and Fungicides?

Pesticides are chemicals used to kill insects that can harm crops. Herbicides kill weeds while fungicides kill fungus. While they help farmers grow more food, there's growing concern about how these chemicals affect human health, especially in children, who are more vulnerable to exposure.

Some studies have linked high pesticide exposure to:

• Hormonal disruptions. 1
• Child development issues, including maternal exposure during pregnancy. 2
• Exposure to environmental pollutants during pregnancy is associated with large for gestational age (higher birth weight) in infants. 3
• Behavioral concerns (including possible links to ADHD). 4,5

GMO vs. Non-GMO vs. Organic: What's the Difference?

        
If you're looking to reduce your family's exposure to pesticides, herbicides, and fungicides, organic is your best bet, even more so than non-GMO.

Source: https://www.nongmoproject.org/blog/whats-the-difference-between-non-gmo-and-organic/

What Parents Can Do:

• If you can't always buy organic, at least avoid The Dirty Dozen™, the fruits and veggies most likely to have pesticide residue (like strawberries, spinach, and apples). Instead, choose The Clean 15™, those fruits and vegetables that were grown with the least amount of pesticides.
• Look for both "Organic" and "Non-GMO" labels if you're concerned about both pesticides and genetic modification.
• Wash produce thoroughly if organic isn't an option — it helps reduce some surface pesticides and herbicides.
• Stay informed: Don't stress about every bite. Small, consistent changes make a big difference over time.

The Environmental Working Group's Dirty Dozen™

1. Strawberries
2. Spinach
3. Kale, Collard, and Mustard Greens
4. Grapes
5. Peaches
6. Pears
7. Nectarines
8. Apples
9. Bell and Hot Peppers
10. Cherries
11. Blueberries
12. Green beans

Source: Environmental Working Group, https://www.ewg.org/foodnews/dirty-dozen.php

Environmental Working Group's The Clean Fifteen™

1. Avocados
2. Sweetcorn
3. Pineapple
4. Onions
5. Papaya
6. Sweet peas (frozen)
7. Asparagus
8. Honeydew melon
9. Kiwi
10. Cabbage
11. Mushrooms
12. Mangoes
13. Sweet potatoes
14. Watermelon
15. Carrots

Source: Environmental Working Group, https://www.ewg.org/foodnews/clean-fifteen.php

Final Thought

While "non-GMO" can sound healthier, it's not the whole story regarding pesticides, herbicides, and fungicides. The "organic" label offers more protection for families aiming to reduce exposure — but don't worry if you can't go fully organic—every little step towards whole, fresh, minimally processed food counts. 
 

Peace and Abundant Blessings,
Dr. Chris Meletis, N.D.

About Dr. Meletis, N.D.

Chris Meletis, N.D., has more than 25 years of experience practicing natural medicine. Based in Portland, Oregon, he shares his vast knowledge with fellow healthcare providers and his patients, and generously give to those in need. A lecturer and author, Dr. Meletis as written over a dozen books and hundreds of national articles. He was named Naturopathic Physician of the Year in 2003 by the American Association of Naturopathic Physicians and was inducted into the National University of Natural Medicine Hall of Fame in 2018.

References

1. Freire C, Suárez B, Vela-Soria F, et al. Urinary metabolites of non-persistent pesticides and serum hormones in Spanish adolescent males. Environ Res. 2021;197:111016.
2. Hisada A, Yoshinaga J, Zhang J, et al. Maternal Exposure to Pyrethroid Insecticides during Pregnancy and Infant Development at 18 Months of Age. Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2017;14(1).
3. Bell GA, Perkins N, Buck Louis GM, et al. Exposure to Persistent Organic Pollutants and Birth Characteristics: The Upstate KIDS Study. Epidemiology. 2019;30 Suppl 2(Suppl 2):S94-s100.
4. Tessari L, Angriman M, Díaz-Román A, Zhang J, Conca A, Cortese S. Association Between Exposure to Pesticides and ADHD or Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Systematic Review of the Literature. J Atten Disord. 2022;26(1):48-71.
5. Moore S, Paalanen L, Melymuk L, Katsonouri A, Kolossa-Gehring M, Tolonen H. The Association between ADHD and Environmental Chemicals-A Scoping Review. Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2022;19(5).