Many people are worried and even alarmed at the continuous increase in genetically modified organisms (GMO) in the food supply. They don’t like the idea of eating substances concocted in a laboratory, especially if these substances comprise a relatively large part of the diet. While looking for alternatives, they may stumble upon products from Hampton Creek. This small company offers an egg-free sandwich spread similar to mayonnaise, along with salad dressings and cookie dough. Their foods qualify as vegan since these items contain no animal products. They also can boast avoidance of GMO ingredients.
Genetically modifying plants involve transferring genes from one organism into another one. A primary example is the introduction of bacterial DNA into corn DNA. A protein from this bacterium kills insects, making it an intrinsic pesticide for the corn. This would seem to be beneficial since it allows farmers to avoid having to spray insecticide on the fields. However, many people are concerned about eating these toxins when they consume corn. They worry that the human digestive system is adversely affected when it has to deal with these insect-killing bacteria.
Modifying a plant’s genetic structure in this way has unknown long-term results. It’s different than conventional plant breeding, in which the individuals combine plants of similar species to produce traits that are in demand by consumers. For instance, this type of breeding produces sweeter and larger apples. Even this activity is not viewed as positive by many people, and genetic modifications that include DNA from completely different species are seen as even more disturbing. Combining one type of apple with another certainly is more natural than combining a vegetable with a bacterium.
This is where companies like Hampton Creek can make a positive impact and respond to demand from consumers who want more natural food, even when they choose processed foods in stores. Wanting to buy a sandwich spread instead of making one from scratch doesn’t necessarily mean they want to eat GMOs along with numerous artificial ingredients. The same is true for salad dressings. This type of company allows consumers to have the convenience of store-bought goods without the questionable components included in so many commercial processed foods.