Position Statement on Cloning, Bioengineering and Genetic Modification
April 8, 2021
Consumers want the option to purchase food raised without the use of GMOS, and we are striving to make those choices more affordable, and readily accessible.
Perdue Foods does not raise or source cloned or genetically engineered animals, nor their progeny, in any of its multiple proteins or brands.
We support consumer, customer and farmer choices. Within Perdue Foods, we provide consumers and customers options of conventional, Non-GMO Project Verified and USDA certified organic products under multiple brands, all of which are consistent with our commitment to wholesome foods and superior quality. We support conventional, Non-GMO and organic agriculture through both Perdue Foods and Perdue AgriBusiness.
We stand behind the safety and wholesomeness of all of our products. Genetically modified corn and soybeans have been widely used and accepted in conventional agriculture for several years, increasing yields, reducing pesticide use and enabling farmers to produce more food per acre. During that time, science has found no adverse link between food safety and these crops. This position is supported by the World Health Organization, the Center for Science in the Public Interest, Britain’s Royal Society of Medicine and the American Association for the Advancement of Science, among other leading scientific organizations.
Our animals are not genetically modified
None of the livestock used for any of our production is genetically modified. Animals raised on a diet that includes genetically modified (GM) grains are not defined as GM unless the animals themselves have been genetically modified. Eating meat from those animals is not the same as consuming GM ingredients.
Animals raised for our conventional (not sold as organic or Non-GMO) products are fed a diet that includes corn, soybeans, other grains and vitamins and minerals. We buy as much local grain as possible, supporting local farmers. Since more than 85 percent of the corn and soybeans grown in the US is from genetically modified seeds, most livestock feed, including what is fed to our products not labeled as organic or Non-GMO, likely contains genetically modified grain. GM fed ingredients have no effect on the genetics of the animal and meat from a GM-fed animal is indistinguishable from an animal fed non-GM feed ingredients.
Respecting the right of farmers to choose
We respect the right of farmers to choose what crops they wish to plant and what production methods they wish to employ. Perdue AgriBusiness is committed to helping farmers prosper through our grain merchandising and agricultural products and services.
We also support increased production of organic crops by providing premium pricing for farmers, and we support transitional certification as a means to help farmers who want to move to organic production.