. . . . [S]ome consumers remain wary of GMOs, including when it comes to sugar.
Nearly two-thirds of domestic sugar production comes from sugar beets, which are grown with genetically modified seeds.
A few big food manufacturers. . . are now saying they will use non-GMO cane sugar instead of beet sugar in products. . . .
. . . .
It’s unclear how much of an advantage that’s handing to growers of sugar cane, which is not genetically modified. The ag co-op American Crystal Sugar said so far beet sugar sales aren’t affected, but the co-op is nevertheless exploring what it would take to return to conventional sugar beets . . .
Doing so could be challenging, as it might be difficult to get enough of a supply of conventional seeds, along with the old herbicides.
However, the bigger barrier could be getting everyone in the co-op to agree they should sell non-GM sugar beets.
“Either everyone is in or everybody’s out,” said Dan Younggren, a sugar beet farmer in Hallock, Minn. “And I know everyone wants to stay in where we’re at.”
The GLP aggregated and excerpted this blog/article to reflect the diversity of news, opinion and analysis. Read full, original post: Sugar beet growers don’t understand GMO worries
