Podcast: Industry-funded GMO studies; Food companies back ‘regenerative’ farming; Popcorn-flavored spinach?

Should we be skeptical of GMO safety studies funded by biotech companies? Major food makers including Pepsi and Nestle have invested millions in “regenerative” farming. Is this a worthwhile effort, or just another case of “greenwashing”? Can vegetables that taste like snack food bring the obesity epidemic to an end?

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Join geneticist Kevin Folta and GLP contributor Cameron English on episode 189 of Science Facts and Fallacies as they break down these latest news stories:

• Are most GMO safety studies funded by industry?

Anti-GMO groups allege that industry-funded studies can’t be trusted. Biotech companies won’t fairly evaluate their own products, the argument goes, so whatever research they produce won’t document the risks that come with consuming genetically engineered crops. Is this a reasonable criticism, or just more misleading rhetoric from activist groups?

• Nestle, General Mills, PepsiCo and other food companies have pledged support for regenerative agriculture. Is this a greenwashing campaign?

Food conglomerates are beginning to invest heavily in “regenerative” farming projects that reward growers for employing techniques like cover cropping. Nestle, General Mills and Pepsi say this transition to more “sustainable” practices is necessary to protect their supply chains from the impacts of climate change. This sort of marketing appeals to many consumers today, but what does the science say about the benefits of regenerative agriculture?

• 4 in ten Americans are obese. Producers need to harness biotechnology to make spinach as tasty as popcorn

Obesity is one of the largest public health problems afflicting the world today, yet experts still don’t know how to help millions of people lose significant amounts of weight. Could the answer be veggies that taste like snack food? If biotech companies can produce fruits and vegetables with better flavor profiles, the argument goes, consumers will eat them in place of the calorie-dense foods available in every supermarket, restaurant and convenience store. Could this proposal work, and is it even possible to make green vegetables taste like popcorn?

Kevin M. Folta is a professor, keynote speaker and podcast host. Follow Professor Folta on Twitter @kevinfolta

Cameron J. English is the director of bio-sciences at the American Council on Science and Health. Visit his website and follow ACSH on Twitter @ACSHorg