In an unprecedented move, a grocery chain has decided to label genetically modified foods in their stores and do what the FDA has been unwilling to do, give consumers the right to know what is in their food.

We asked the questions consumers are asking about this significant change by Whole Foods.

Here’s our interview with Russ Benblatt of Whole Foods with the announcement and reasoning behind the timetable: 

About Whole Foods from their site: Whole Foods Market was founded in Austin, Texas, when four local businesspeople decided the natural foods industry was ready for a supermarket format. The original Whole Foods Market opened in 1980 with a staff of only 19 people. (Read more on the Whole Foods site.)

Elizabeth Dougherty has been a food writer for over 10 years, attended culinary school and holds a Bachelor’s degree, Magna Cum Laude in Hospitality, Business and Labor Relations from NYIT. She has been a talk show host of nearly 200 episodes of Food Nation Radio which airs each Saturday afternoon at 4 on WWBA AM820 News and  other stations. You can read her articles and hear previous shows on her podcast page on the Food Nation Radio Network website and on Facebook.

This week on the Food Nation Radio Network we spoke with Professor Don Huber who has identified an unknown entity in genetically modified corn. Concurrent with that discovery and research, he has found several very serious health effects from consuming GMO plants.

There are currently bills in front of the House and Senate in the Florida Legislature to label these foods, giving consumers the right to know what they are eating. GMOs include soy, corn and sugar beets, although there are several others on the market.

Some citrus farmers in the State of Florida are in support of a new genetically modified orange to combat “greening”, a blight on the citrus crops, instead of using more organic methods. This new orange produces its own insecticide inside the fruit to kill pests.

Here’s our shocking interview with Dr. Huber: 

Dr. Huber is Professor Emeritus of Plant Pathology at Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN. He received B.S. and M.S. degrees from the University of Idaho (1957, 1959), a Ph-D from Michigan State University (1963), and is a graduate of the US Army Command & General Staff College and Industrial College of the Armed Forces. He was a Pathologist at the University of Idaho for 8 years before joining the Department of Botany & Plant Pathology at Purdue University in 1971. He does advisory work for the USDA.

Irish Colcannon is one of those dishes that remind me of my childhood. My dad was always the one who cooked breakfast, and while he didn’t make this dish in this particular way, it always reminds me of him. He was one of those guys up at 5:30am, whistling while he cooked. Quite frankly, his morning jolliness sometimes got on our nerves. Now I look back at those times as such a gift to our family.
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It’s St. Patrick’s Day and in food news: Whole Foods draws a line in the sand to label GM foods and a professor in plant genetics identifies major safety concerns in genetically modified soy and corn. If you care about what you feed your family, you don’t want to miss this show!

What’s coming up this week: 

(Photo/Elizabeth Dougherty)

St. Patrick’s Day is coming and the Leprechauns are feeling frisky!

Have you ever wanted to sit down and ask Duff Goldman what he has against cupcakes? Have you ever wanted to cook side-by-side with culinary stars? Food University, the brainchild of Rich Gore allows the average fan to do just that. On March 27-29, 2013, Food U. will be held at the legendary Caesar’s Palace hotel in Las Vegas with Goldman, Francois Payard, Frank Pellegrino, Jr. (from Rao’s) and many more.

Food Nation Radio Network spoke with the lovely, Claudine Pepin, about the event and how you can get a coveted ticket (tix are very limited): 

Bio from Claudine Pepin’s site: Many of you have watched Claudine Pépin in partnership with her father, world- reknowned chef, Jacques Pépin, preparing delicious meals and sharing cooking techniques on “Jacques Pepin’s Kitchen: Cooking With Claudine” and “Jacques Pepin’s Kitchen: Encore With Claudine.” All three of their public television shows have received the notable James Beard Award. In addition, Claudine has had numerous television appearances including “Cooking Live with Sara Moulton” and “Good Morning America.”

With an undergraduate degree in Political Science and Philosophy, and graduate work in International Relations from Boston University, Claudine spent a great deal of time in the wine industry. She spent two years as the ’Brand Ambassador’ for Moet & Chandon and Dom Perignon Champagne in New York while also teaching food and wine pairing for both the French Culinary Institute and the Sommelier Society in New York.

In 2002, Claudine was named “Woman of the Year” by the Academie Culinaire de France – Filiale des Etas Unis. She continues to do television and events with her Father, Jacques and she, her husband Rollie, and their daughter Shorey live in Rhode Island.

Elizabeth Dougherty has been a food writer for over 10 years, attended culinary school and holds a Bachelor’s degree, Magna Cum Laude in Hospitality, Business and Labor Relations from NYIT. She has been a talk show host of nearly 200 episodes of Food Nation Radio which airs each Saturday afternoon at 4 on WWBA AM820 News and  other stations. You can read her articles and hear previous shows on her podcast page on the Food Nation Radio Network website and on Facebook.

In an historic move, Representative Michelle Rehwinkel Vasilinda has introduced a bill that would require labeling of genetically modified food sold in the State of Florida. She appeared on Food Nation Radio Network this weekend, where we have broadcast continuous coverage of the food labeling issue.

Here’s what she had to say about the proposed mandate to label GMOs in Florida: 

Elizabeth Dougherty has been a food writer for over 10 years, attended culinary school and holds a Bachelor’s degree, Magna Cum Laude in Hospitality, Business and Labor Relations from NYIT. She has been a talk show host of nearly 200 episodes of Food Nation Radio which airs each Saturday afternoon at 4 on WWBA AM820 News and  other stations. You can read her articles and hear previous shows on her podcast page on the Food Nation Radio Network website and on Facebook.