Doctors and scientists have for long advised people to avoid genetically modified (GM) food. However, the U.S. has not made it mandatory for such produce to be specifically labeled. The Center for Food Safety introduces ‘True Food Shoppers Guide’ app as a probable solution to help ‘health-and-safety-conscious’ people identify such GM crops. As these crops are said to be harmful to both humans and the environment, the center believes that it is important to generate awareness.
This Guide informs users about the most often used GM or GE (genetically engineered) ingredients and the brands that use or avoid them. Catering a ‘Four Simple Tips’ section, the app informs users on simple ways of avoiding GE. Additionally, it has a ‘Supermarkets and GMOs’ segment offering an rbGH-free and rbGH dairy guide coupled with a tool that assists consumers in classifying non-GMO and GM private-label store brands.
The guide has been compiled with direct statements from food producers or those received from consumers. Users may gather additional details about the risks of GM, benefits of organic food and other things with the ‘More Info’ feature. They can browse through the app easily as it’s divided into 16 categories. These are shown in two lists, a red list featuring companies that use ingredients from common GE crops and a green one consisting of those which avoid them.
Moreover, it includes the contact details of those organizations that utilize GM elements, if users wish to voice their dislike directly to them. The True Food app is also equipped with a ‘Take Action’ section wherein users may get in touch with officials from state or federal agencies to demand strict regulatory action, safety testing and labeling laws for GE foods. Additionally, it offers latest action alerts with the ‘Action’ center, which informs users about what they can do to adjure for GM free food.
Users who are interested in coercing against the usage of GE ingredients can become a part of Mobile Activists list or the CFS True Food Network to get action alerts and updates on prominent food issues. These alerts and updates will be passed on to the user through text messages or emails. They can even join the CFS True Food Network on social networking sites such as Twitter and Facebook, and also follow it on YouTube.
Through the ‘What’s New’ function, users will receive updated feeds of various the Center for Food Safety’s campaign developments and latest news about GMOs and other pressing food matters. Users who are extremely concerned about their friends and family’s health may even share it with them. The app lets them post informative announcements and articles via Digg, Facebook and Twitter.
The Center for Food Safety’s ‘True Food Shoppers Guide’ app is available free of cost from the App store and the Android Market. Future plans of the center includes a web based version and a BlackBerry replica of this app. It even offers a printable Shoppers Guide for other handset owners.