Why choose GMO free?

A Genetically Modified Organism (GMO) is a living organism with a genetic modified by genetic engineering techniques, which allow the addition, deletion or modification of gene elements. UE approach on GMO topic is based on the precautionary principle, by which any product containing transgenic crops could have potentially dangerous effects and since at the moment there is no chance to determine such risks with sufficient certainty, all these products undergo specific regulations and restrictions to protect human, animal and vegetal health, besides environment.
Although European Union allows the use of GMOs, albeit regulating it restrictively, Farmina goes beyond this precautionary principle by excluding from each formulation all potentially GMO ingredients. For this purpose we use only 100% GMO Free certified raw materials in our nutritional systems Natural & Delicious and Vet Life Natural Diets; we do not use any corn and we promote the use of ancestral cereals typical of traditional Italian food like spelt, oats and tubers such as potato.
We chose to avoid GMOs mostly because we intend to safeguard the health of our animals: it is hypothesized that GMO food could potentially introduce new toxins or allergens in previously safe and healthy food, they could transmit antibiotic-resistance, reduce the nutritional value of the food especially in the long run. Some studies have revealed how the animals fed with genetically modified crops could present structural configuration of the ileum, a cell proliferation in stomach walls and intestines, abnormal gene expressions, structural and functional changes in hepatocytes, impaired synthesis of zymogen and an increment in kidney and heart lactate dehydrogenase levels. In the same subjects are also reported an increase in triglycerides, liver hypertrophy, alteration of renal parameters and a general hepatorenal toxicity, occasionally associated to cardiac, adrenal or spleen involvement.
GMOs spread may lead to alterations mot only in animals fed with them but also in the environment (reducing biodiversity, transmitting to infesting plants pesticide resistance, promoting the evolution of more and more resistant parasites) at the risk of a change in the delicate balance which is the basis of our ecosystem.
For all these reasons one of the foundations of our actions is the respect of Nature as the ecosystem in which we live in and as physiological nature of our four-legged family to whom we want to offer only the best to ensure their well-being and health and therefore happiness.