Comments on: Introducing the Non-GMO Project

By: Laurie O

Laurie O — Wed, 28 Sep 2011 13:55:45 +0000

Thank you for listening to your customers. Thank you for working with the Non-GMO Project. Please tell people about the petition to get GMOs labeled that is on the White House website. “Require all Genetically Modified Foods to be labeled as such” is the first line of the Petition. Thanks.

By: Michelle

Michelle — Wed, 08 Jun 2011 16:15:03 +0000

What criteria is used for determining whether non-GMO foods are actually non-GMO? Do you do testing? Do you go solely on the word of farmer’s? How do you prove what seeds they used? Many people have heard that Whole Foods was one of the first to cave in to Monsanto. Why should I believe that they have changed their stance, and are standing up to places like Monsanto? Truth in labeling has been a big issue for awhile…I’d like to know with certainty that what is labeled non-GMO is truly non-GMO, and worth the extra $ that I might pay .

By: dana

dana — Fri, 27 May 2011 14:39:18 +0000

PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE help STOP GMO.

Thank you,

Dana Card
A very loyal WF’s shopper

By: Waverly

Waverly — Sun, 15 May 2011 19:22:43 +0000

When can we expect to be able to shop our local WFM and be assured nothing contains GMOs?

I look forward to that day, as well as the day when other more mass-market stores follow.

By: Billy James

Billy James — Tue, 10 May 2011 01:25:47 +0000

My wife and I have been traveling for the past 2 weeks on vacation and while in San Francisco, sought out a Whole Foods store so that we could indulge in a healthy, organic, GMO-free meal… We were astonished to see that your hot food bar was almost entirely cooked using canola oil which we know to be GMO contaminated.

What plans, if any, does Whole Foods have to change the way hot foods are prepared and ensure those of us trying to stay away from GMO products can purchase these products from you without worry…

Thanks!

Billy & Kathleen James

By: Michael Bepko

Michael Bepko — Tue, 19 Apr 2011 21:11:24 +0000

@Dan: To start, our entire private label line is sourced to avoid GMOs. In addition, the entire line (both organic and non-organic) has been enrolled with The Non-GMO Project to receive third-party verification. The verification does take a little bit of time, but all our private label products are in some stage of the process. As for the packaging, we are at different points of cycling through pre-printed packaging in different parts of the country. As we are able to sell through the old packaging you will begin to see the newer packaging with the ‘Non-GMO Project Verified’ label show up in your local store. I’d like to point out that though many of our products have completed the verification process, some are still being sold in older packaging that does not contain the ‘Non-GMO Project Verified’ label.

By: Dan

Dan — Mon, 18 Apr 2011 21:53:16 +0000

Is your 365 brand non-GMO? The information on your website eludes that, in fact, your brand may contain GMO’s. You have a partnership with the Non-GMO Project but I do not see that your own 365 brand as labeled “Non-GMO Project verified”.

I understand that the 100% organic product will be non-GMO (obviously). But, what about your 365 brand products that are not 100% organic?

Am I missing something?

By: Michael Bepko

Michael Bepko — Sat, 19 Mar 2011 16:09:12 +0000

@Denise: The blog that you link to is brief commentary on a highly misleading letter released by the Organic Consumer’s Association a few months ago. Whole Foods Market has not become a subsidiary of Monsanto nor have we decided to start selling GMO foods ‘disguised’ as organic. In fact, there are too many inaccurate statements in both articles to address in this post. We certainly appreciate your concern over this matter and suggest researching all sides to the story. I suggest starting here: http://blog.wholefoodsmarket.com/2011/01/no-regulations-ge-alfalfa/ Within the response are links to other articles written by some of the other organic industry leaders that were also attacked in the OCA’s letter. Thank you for your question and allowing us the opportunity to explain the truth.

By: Denise

Denise — Wed, 16 Mar 2011 23:19:19 +0000

I would like to see an explanation for the article in the link below. I shop WF regularly and find this disconcerting. It is truly sad that we consumers are left this vulnerable. What happened to the days when we got good products at honest prices?

http://www.politicolnews.com/whole-foods-to-carry-gmo-foods/

By: John Price

John Price — Wed, 16 Feb 2011 21:45:28 +0000

Madam or Sir
Recent blogs are saying that Wholefoods is yielding to Monsanto on the issue of GMO’s and it is great to see that this is not your intention. We hope that this also includes ingredients going into organic foods. Since your products have never contained GMO’s, we trust the cost of the products you sell (beyond the pressures in the marketplace) will not rise just because you continue to ensure their organic integrity. Do this and not only will we remain a customer, we will continue to tell others and convince others to shop Wholefoods!