Disappointed with shopping at Whole Foods

[Anonymous]

Many years ago, I used to love shopping at Fresh Fields, and then at Whole Foods. Gradually Whole Foods has shifted from high quality food with an emphasis on organic foods, and what I was told was a supportive work environment, to something much less than that, while maintaining their high prices.

This is definitely a champagne problem, but, after I ate the last of some chocolate covered almonds, I turned the container over to get recycling information. I was shocked to see: “produced with genetic engineering “. Despite the changes, I thought that food purchased from Whole Foods could be reliably assured to have no artificial colors or flavors, and to be non-GMO. I was wrong. I’ll be label reading more carefully when I shop and relying more on Trader Joe’s, which will also be less expensive.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Many years ago, I used to love shopping at Fresh Fields, and then at Whole Foods. Gradually Whole Foods has shifted from high quality food with an emphasis on organic foods, and what I was told was a supportive work environment, to something much less than that, while maintaining their high prices.

This is definitely a champagne problem, but, after I ate the last of some chocolate covered almonds, I turned the container over to get recycling information. I was shocked to see: “produced with genetic engineering “. Despite the changes, I thought that food purchased from Whole Foods could be reliably assured to have no artificial colors or flavors, and to be non-GMO. I was wrong. I’ll be label reading more carefully when I shop and relying more on Trader Joe’s, which will also be less expensive.

Those are . . . not at all the same things. JFC.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Many years ago, I used to love shopping at Fresh Fields, and then at Whole Foods. Gradually Whole Foods has shifted from high quality food with an emphasis on organic foods, and what I was told was a supportive work environment, to something much less than that, while maintaining their high prices.

This is definitely a champagne problem, but, after I ate the last of some chocolate covered almonds, I turned the container over to get recycling information. I was shocked to see: “produced with genetic engineering “. Despite the changes, I thought that food purchased from Whole Foods could be reliably assured to have no artificial colors or flavors, and to be non-GMO. I was wrong. I’ll be label reading more carefully when I shop and relying more on Trader Joe’s, which will also be less expensive.

Those are . . . not at all the same things. JFC.

That's why OP used the word "AND."

[Anonymous]

whole foods has really gone downhill since the amazon purchase. even more so recently. it’s disappointing.

[Anonymous]

The recent forms of GMO are safe, and completely fine to eat, OP. I avoid artificial sweeteners, preservatives, colors, etc, but GMO is OK. Unrelated to food, but when the time comes, please welcome the use of genetically-modified mosquitoes in your area so that incidences of mosquito-borne diseases can be limited.

- research scientist in biology.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Many years ago, I used to love shopping at Fresh Fields, and then at Whole Foods. Gradually Whole Foods has shifted from high quality food with an emphasis on organic foods, and what I was told was a supportive work environment, to something much less than that, while maintaining their high prices.

This is definitely a champagne problem, but, after I ate the last of some chocolate covered almonds, I turned the container over to get recycling information. I was shocked to see: “produced with genetic engineering “. Despite the changes, I thought that food purchased from Whole Foods could be reliably assured to have no artificial colors or flavors, and to be non-GMO. I was wrong. I’ll be label reading more carefully when I shop and relying more on Trader Joe’s, which will also be less expensive.

I also thought that WF was a policy of no GMOs so that would surprise me too. I guess I'll look more carefully at labels there if that isn't the case.

TJ's is MUCH more affordable but is full of super-processed junk and GMOs. And the produce is never great. Apples to Oranges if you ask me. I shop at both but for different products.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The recent forms of GMO are safe, and completely fine to eat, OP. I avoid artificial sweeteners, preservatives, colors, etc, but GMO is OK. Unrelated to food, but when the time comes, please welcome the use of genetically-modified mosquitoes in your area so that incidences of mosquito-borne diseases can be limited.

- research scientist in biology.

There is only one law worth adhering to and that is the law of unintended consequences. But no, humans think they know everything. Post back when we get some weird GMO issues in our blood from being bitten by GMO mosquitoes.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:whole foods has really gone downhill since the amazon purchase. even more so recently. it’s disappointing.

Totally. The quality is lousy, they are constantly out of things, and it's chaotic to shop there.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:whole foods has really gone downhill since the amazon purchase. even more so recently. it’s disappointing.

Totally. The quality is lousy, they are constantly out of things, and it's chaotic to shop there.

+1

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The recent forms of GMO are safe, and completely fine to eat, OP. I avoid artificial sweeteners, preservatives, colors, etc, but GMO is OK. Unrelated to food, but when the time comes, please welcome the use of genetically-modified mosquitoes in your area so that incidences of mosquito-borne diseases can be limited.

- research scientist in biology.

There is only one law worth adhering to and that is the law of unintended consequences. But no, humans think they know everything. Post back when we get some weird GMO issues in our blood from being bitten by GMO mosquitoes.

Scientist you replied to. No. This has been studied in research labs for years, and also in the field in multiple countries, with no adverse effects. There is absolutely no way any genetically modified mosquito genes can affect humans, or any other organism, even another mosquito species! It's physically impossible and that risk was never a concern. What was a concern was impact on the food chain, if an entire species of mosquitoes is wiped out - but the vacuum is filled by hundreds of other mosquito species and therefore there is no impact on the food chain. Scientists have gone further: the modification only works for 3 months. This is how careful they are.

[Anonymous]

I don’t get all the hate on GMO foods. We have been selectively altering, splicing, and breeding plants since the dawn of civilization. That is genetic modification, just slower. I’d just as soon have scientists doing it selectively in a tested environment.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I don’t get all the hate on GMO foods. We have been selectively altering, splicing, and breeding plants since the dawn of civilization. That is genetic modification, just slower. I’d just as soon have scientists doing it selectively in a tested environment.

In this case, it’s less about “hate” and more about expecting WF to live up to their own previously widely touted standards— which may have quietly changed. I get that I’m often paying more money for products that , supposedly meet those standards. If they’re not going to meet those standards I’d rather either save money by shopping elsewhere, or spend more judiciously for products that are what I’m expecting them to be. OP

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I don’t get all the hate on GMO foods. We have been selectively altering, splicing, and breeding plants since the dawn of civilization. That is genetic modification, just slower. I’d just as soon have scientists doing it selectively in a tested environment.

Yeah, Round up is great, ain't it?

[Anonymous]

I also am surprised that they’ve quietly changed their standards. I agree that produce, which used to be excellent and interesting, is terrible at WF these days.

[Anonymous]

Moms. Moms is so much better for produce. Meat is lacking though