What are we to do when our supplies of wheat become contaminated through open air cross-pollination with genetically modified (GMO) wheat, which might have rat genes or whatever genetic manipulation that Monsanto or Dole has introduced, or if GMO wheat is the only wheat available? Even if monasteries were to grow wheat, it might have become cross-pollinated at some point.
The canons specify that we are to use wheaten flour, not the adulterated all purpose wheat flour, which contains barley, iron, folic acid, and other additives approved by the FDA, and which is commonly used by most people to make altar bread.
How can priests celebrate the Divine Liturgy if there is no GMO-free wheat flour available?
If one goes to a Greek/Armenian market, one can find white whole wheat kernels used in making koliva. This is apparently called white winter wheat, and it can be ground into flour to make the lighter colored altar bread, instead of the darker brown whole wheat bread commonly seen in markets. Is this white winter wheat certified as GMO-free or organic?
p.s. When we were in World Orthodoxy, the priests told us not to read labels and to go ahead and use the all-purpose wheat flour with the barley, folic acid, and other additives. However, Metropolitan Moses of GOC-HOTCA informed us that we should follow the canons and not use the all-purpose wheat flour for making altar bread.