Alert: GM Sweet Corn at Whole Foods
August 2025
Whole Foods Market is selling GM sweet corn. Photo from Victoria BC, Aug 3, 2025.
Genetically modified (GM or genetically engineered) sweet corn on the cob has been found in the produce sections of Whole Foods Markets in BC and Ontario. The GM sweet corn is identified as “bioengineered” on signs next to the corn bins.
Take Action
- Email customer.questions@wholefoods.com and tell them to remove GM sweet corn from Whole Foods’ produce section.
- Help investigate. If you live near a Whole Foods Market please consider visiting the store to find out if they are selling GM sweet corn. Please take a photograph and email Fionna at outreach@cban.ca to report your findings. Click here for the addresses of Whole Foods Market stores.
For background, read our letter to Whole Foods.
Avoiding GM Sweet Corn
The best way to avoid genetically modified (GM) sweet corn is to buy organic if you can. Certified organic produce is non-GM – organic farming prohibits the use of GMOs.
You can shop locally at farmers’ markets and food co-ops, and ask your farmers if they grow GM sweet corn. For details see our consumer guide on GM sweet corn.
You can also shop locally at stores that do not sell GM corn. Visit these stores, which are located in the same cities as Whole Foods Market locations in Canada, or ask your local store for their policy:
- In Ottawa, check the retail stores on the Savour Ottawa Buy Local Guide
- In Toronto, and other parts of Ontario, you can shop at :
- The Big Carrot Community Market which has an all-organic produce section
- Nature’s Emporium which has an all-organic produce section
- Healthy Planet which has an all-organic produce section
- Goodness Me! which has an all-organic produce section
- Ambrosia Natural Foods which has an all-organic produce section
- Fiesta Farms who has confirmed that they do not source any GMO produce
- Metro which works closely with its suppliers to ensure that the produce Metro sells is “free from GMOs”
- In Vancouver, you can shop at:
- Famous Foods which has a non-GMO, organic & conventional produce section
- Thrifty Foods which has a non-GMO produce section
- On Vancouver Island and in Victoria, you can shop at:
- Lifestyle Markets which has an all-organic produce section
- Thrifty Foods which has a non-GMO produce section
Speak directly to farmers at markets, or produce managers at your local store to verify that the sweet corn for sale is non-GM. Click here for some information to help your conversation.
“Bioengineerd” sweet corn sold in Whole Foods Yorkville, Toronto, Aug 26, 2024.
For more information see our consumer guide on GM sweet corn.
CBAN’s testing of sweet corn samples from Canadian grocery stores between 2013 and 2016, as well as in 2020, found very little GM sweet corn, with some years showing none at all. By discussing this with your local retailer, you can help ensure this trend continues. You can help create non-GMO produce sections in stores across Canada! Visit cban.ca/ProtectOurProduce
For more information on GM corn and the health risks and environmental impacts see www.cban.ca/corn
Donate today www.cban.ca/donate
