Portland infant formula has pesticide-resistant GMOs

Some infant formula sold in Portland contains soy that has been genetically engineered to withstand heavy pesticide spraying, laboratory testing has found.

The Center for Food Safety, a national environmental advocacy organization, purchased the formula earlier this month and had the tests conducted.

It found that two brands – Similac Soy Isomil and Enfamil Prosobee Powder Soy Infant Formula – tested positive for soy that is genetically engineered for resistance to Monsanto's glyphosate and Bayer Crop Science's glufosinate.

"I think most moms purchasing infant formula have no idea they are feeding their baby a product that has been genetically engineered to survive exposure to high levels of chemical pesticides," said Aurora Paulsen, with the Center's Portland office.

Center staff announced the results at a press conference in Portland Thursday morning. They were joined by Ray Seidler, a former scientist for the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency who is an outspoken critic of genetically modified food.

"Everything we know from the recent medical literature suggests we should be doing everything possible to reduce infant exposure to chemicals," Seidler said. "Finding soy in infant formula that has been genetically engineered specifically to survive high levels of chemical pesticide spraying is a real concern and takes us in the wrong direction."

The news comes on the heels of a recent Consumer Reports Study that found genetically engineered ingredients in many processed foods labeled "natural."

It also comes as Oregonians consider Ballot Measure 92, which would require processed and some raw food with genetically modified ingredients sold in the state to be labeled as such.

tloew@statesmanjournal.com, (503) 399-6779 or follow at Twitter.com/SJWatchdog