Cheese is the most popular staple in the USA and is seen on the tables of households across the nation. It is a popular choice for many following a diet and fitness routine because it is a good source of protein and calcium. It has earned its place in the hearts of millions of Americans… thanks to rich flavors, varied tastes, and its endless culinary possibilities.
I, personally, love cheese on cheeseburgers, hot dogs, cauliflower, grilled cheese sandwiches, pizzas, dips, snacks and salads. I even put it on my corn on the cob! Now that’s dedication.
Unfortunately, there lies a lurking danger that most people are completely unaware of including myself….
Did you know that up to 90% of cheese in the United States may contain genetically modified organisms (GMOs). And do you know who the manufacturer of this widespread GMO in cheese is?
I will give you a clue…they also manufactured one of the most popular covid vaccines that has been extremely controversial.
You guessed it! Pfizer!
Before the 1990s, people made all cheese with a substance called rennet, which they derived from the stomach lining of calves, lambs, or goats. Cheesemakers use rennet because it contains enzymes that curdle the milk, separating the solids from the liquids to produce cheese.
In the 1990s, Pfizer developed a genetically modified version of Rennet called fermentation-produced chymosin (FPC) by using DNA technology.
Pfizer’s FPC with GMO Rennet was approved by the FDA in 1990 and became the very first bioengineered food product allowed in the U.S. food supply. It received a “Generally Recognized as Safe” (GRAS) designation, exempting it from stringent safety testing required for other novel food additives.
Today, an unbelievable 90% of cheese produced in the USA uses Pfizer’s genetically modified FPC Rennet.
How can that be- you ask?
It was all about supply and cost. Cheesemakers quickly adopted its use due to its low cost and consistent supply compared to the traditional animal-derived Rennet. And why wouldn’t they? They increased their bottom lines and kept their shareholders happy.
Today, concerns are increasing over the potential health risks of eating FPC, especially because no long-term safety studies have ever been completed.
Just a minute because it gets worse….
Now this is something that really ticks me off- The FDA has NOT required this laboratory made enzyme FPC to be labeled as a genetically modified ingredient. As a result, the majority of the American public remains totally misinformed and does not even realize they are consuming this unproven GMO ingredient!
While cheesemakers rake in the profits and enjoy the economic benefits, consumers are completely unaware of the health consequences of eating a laboratory produced GMO.
Big food producers win again…and the FDA has allowed it to happen!
The end result? Pfizer now dominates the vast majority of the USA cheese industry with their genetically modified ingredients.
This unsettling reality poses significant health and ethical concerns…that is why we urge all consumers to consider the implications of what is potentially a huge amount of GMO’s in their diet. ( especially for those who eat a lot of cheese)
I am betting that you probably have several portions daily…just like me?
In summary, while FPC Rennet has been associated with respiratory and skin sensitization at manufacturing plants…there have been no longer term studies done to prove food allergies could result from exposure and/or ingestion.
The FDA granted FPC rennet GRAS status in 1990 as the first GMO approved product in the USA. This resulted in FPC rennet being exempt from a more rigorous pre-market approval process that is generally required for other food additives.
All the FDA did was look at the similarity in the amino acid sequence and function of the enzyme produced by genetically modified microorganisms. They concluded that it was substantially equivalent to the traditionally used calf rennet.
The safety of FPC rennet was only evaluated in a 90 day short term trial on rats with no long term follow up. Plus there were no studies done on humans.
This leaves many unanswered questions about the potential health impact on humans including potential allergenicity, toxicity, and digestive issues.
Did you know that the FDA actually receives a significant portion of its funding from pharmaceutical companies including Pfizer. Audits indicate that approximately 45% of the FDA’s total budget comes from these user fees.
Pfizer also has representatives that sit on the FDA’s advisory committees. ie Robert S. Janssen, M.D., who is the Chief Medical Officer and Senior Vice President of Vaccines at Pfizer.
This obviously raises concerns about the FDA’s objectivity and decision-making process and the potential conflicts of interest.
These healthy brands and their products are known for their commitment to quality and natural ingredients, making them healthier choices that avoid the use of fermentation-produced chymosin.
https://vocal.media/feast/90-of-the-cheese-we-consume-has-pfizer-gmo-s-thanks-to-a-cheesy-loophole
https://nourishcooperative.com/blog/genetically-modified-ingredients-in-most-us-cheeses
https://nourishcooperative.com/blog/genetically-modified-ingredients-in-most-us-cheeses
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9208323/
https://changinghabits.com.au/the-good-the-bad-and-the-downright-ugly-of-cheese/
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16917831/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9208323/
https://www.mdpi.com/2227-9717/10/3/529
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8949083/
https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/cdrh/cfdocs/cfcfr/CFRSearch.cfm?fr=184.1685
https://theconversation.com/why-is-the-fda-funded-in-part-by-the-companies-it-regulates-160444
https://www.fda.gov/advisory-committees/vaccines-and-related-biological-products-advisory-committee/roster-vaccines-and-related-biological-products-advisory-committee
https://www.eatthis.com/highest-quality-cheese-brands/
https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/howto/guide/top-10-healthiest-cheeses
https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/healthiest-cheese
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Cheese: The GMO food die-hard GMO opponents love, but don’t want to label
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