Frankenfood
n. Food derived from genetically modified plants and animals.
Etymology
Examples
1999
It's only natural that we cringe at the artificial: It goes against the grain. So it's no real wonder that many people are feeling uncomfortable about the recent proliferation of genetically engineered crops. In the last few months, protests have sprung up all over Europe, and the French have taken to calling these products 'Frankenfood.'
—K.C. Cole, “Genetically Altered Food Unnatural? Not Really,” Los Angeles Times, October 21, 1999
1992 (earliest)
To the Editor:

'Tomatoes May Be Dangerous to Your Health' (Op-Ed, June 1) by Sheldon Krimsky is right to question the decision of the Food and Drug Administration to exempt genetically engineered crops from case-by-case review. Ever since Mary Shelley's baron rolled his improved human out of the lab, scientists have been bringing just such good things to life. If they want to sell us Frankenfood, perhaps it's time to gather the villagers, light some torches and head to the castle.

PAUL LEWIS
Newton Center, Mass., June 2, 1992
—Paul Lewis, “Mutant Foods Create Risks We Can't Yet Guess,” The New York Times, June 16, 1992
Notes
It's almost as if a Dr. Frankenfood has created a customer creature with superhuman demands: To eat appetizers for dinner, entrees for appetizers, ethnic foods for breakfast and breakfast any time of day.
—Nancy Ross Ryan, “Reinventing the meal,” Restaurants & Institutions, March 11, 1992