Ep.18 Food Science Babe: GMOs, organic foods and what they mean for health

The Health Scientist Podcast

Erin aka Food Science Babe has a BS in Chemical Engineering from the University of Minesota. She has worked in the food industry for 10+ years in both the conventional and natural/organic sectors as an Engineer/Food Scientist. Erin started her page to combat the myths about food and the food industry. She used to have many false beliefs surrounding food, so she presents the science so that others don't fall for the same false information that she did. In addition to being a stay at home mom to her 3 year old daughter with special needs, Erin consults for small start up food companies doing product development work, scale up as well nutrition panel creation and regulatory guidance.

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In this episode we cover:

• Erins background in the food industry and her previous opinions on organic and GMO products
• The use of fear-based marketing in the food industry to promote specific ideas about the health effects of different products
• What are GMOs and how do they compare to other crops that humans have been breeding for thousands of years
• The use of mutagenesis with radiation and chemicals in conventional crop breeding
• Which crops actually have GMO versions?
• How lack of knowledge about GMOs leads to the great resistance against them.
• What's different about the production of organic foods?
• The actual levels of pesticides found on both organic and conventional products and can they affect health?
• How "natural" doesn't always mean safer?
• Is there a difference in the vitamin and mineral content between organic and conventional fruit and veg
• The misunderstood environmental impact of organic farming
• How use of chemicals is essential for preserving food and feeding our growing population.
• Why do people get so angry when presented with this type of information?