Most of the genetically-modified (GM) corn products forced on American consumers today are hidden in processed foods in the form of high-fructose corn syrup (HFCS), corn oil, corn starch, and various other corn-based additives.

But soon to be available at a Walmart near you is Monsanto’s Bt sweet corn, the agri-giant’s first ever GM corn product made available to consumers as whole ears right on the cob in the produce section– and like with all other GMOs, neither Walmart nor Monsanto has any intention of labeling this new “Frankencorn.”

Monsanto first unveiled this new variety of GM sweet corn back in August, which rivals Syngenta’s GM sweet corn that has already been on the market in limited form for the past ten years, claiming that it would be available to farmers for planting during Fall 2011. Now, the corn appears set to make its debut in Walmart stores across the country as early as Summer 2012, unless massive public outcry is able to convince the multinational retailer to scrap the corn, or at least voluntarily label it.

This disturbing development comes courtesy of both Food & Water Watch and Sum Of Us, which recently drew attention to the issue by creating petitions against Walmart’s potential sale of the corn. Though Monsanto’s GM sweet corn contains three genetically-engineered (GE) traits that have never been used in food eaten directly by people, and that have never been properly tested, Walmart still intends to quietly stock its produce shelves with this phony corn in the very near future.

Whole Foods and Trader Joe’s have rejected Monsanto’s Bt corn, how about Wal-Mart?

In a recent campaign alert (http://sumofus.org/campaigns/walmart-monsanto/), Sum Of Us explains that immense consumer pressure has already resulted in commitments from Whole Foods Market, Trader Joe’s, and General Mills not to use the new GM corn in any of their products. But as of the announcement, Walmart has made no such commitment, presumably because of the company’s close-knit relationship with Monsanto, a “match made in hell” that Food & Water Watch has humorously dubbed “Walsanto” (https://www.facebook.com/WalsantoWatch?sk=info).

But there is still time to stop Walmart’s stocking of Monsanto’s latest GM poison which, if successful, has the potential to completely destroy the viability of the entire crop. If Walmart rejects the GM corn, many others will likely follow, which will result in farmers refusing to plant it.

• A d v e r t i s e m e n t

It is a simple supply and demand situation, but one that is complicated by the fact that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) refuses to mandate that any GMOs be labeled, which means millions of people consume them all the time without knowing it. This is why YOUR help is needed to spread the truth about both GM sweet corn and GMOs in general to your friends, family members, neighbors, and coworkers.

You can also sign this petition by April 1, 2012, asking Walmart not to stock Monsanto’s GM sweet corn:
http://www.foodandwaterwatch.org

Sources for this article include:

http://sumofus.org/campaigns/walmart-monsanto/

http://fooddemocracynow.org

http://www.seedsofdeception.com/Public/BuyingNon-GMO/index.cfm