Stephen Colbert Freaks Out Over “Sugar Shortage”August 23rd, 2009 - Gerald "Gerry" Pugliese
Calm down. In this clip, Stephen talks with author of Food Politics, Marion Nestle and she insists the “sugar shortage” is a manufactured crisis, claiming food producers just want cheap imported sugar because domestic quotas are so high. Via The Colbert Report. The Dish on Safer Food: Be Your Own Best AdvocateAugust 17th, 2009 - Laura Klein
As you know from my last blog, I think the best thing about this bill is its title; huge agribusinesses need to make serious changes, and the bill doesn’t support this. Factory Farming Creates Super Bacteria When large numbers of animals are raised in confinement, diseases are more prevalent. This translates to a greater reliance on antibiotics. In time, bacteria become resistant to the drugs. In turn, the humans who consume these antibiotic-resistant bacteria find that medications available to us are ineffective. One study illustrates this point perfectly (and scarily!): A survey of E. coli bacteria isolated from poultry raised in a state-of-the-art confinement poultry operation at a university found that all the bacteria were resistant to the commonly used antibiotics, Tetracycline, Streptomycin and Sulphonamide (Sulphafurazole). In contrast, all the strains of bacteria isolated from free-range birds were sensitive to the drugs.1 Ask Away for Healthier Food! All of this confirms my theory that an informed eater is a healthier eater! If you want steak at a restaurant, ask your waiter where the meat comes from – grass-fed from farm to fork is your healthiest choice. Ask your market’s butcher for organic, free-range poultry…if they don’t carry it, maybe they’ll start! The more you know about the source and origins of your food, the safer you and your family will be. And in turn, you’ll be supporting the small, local producers and manufacturers that need and deserve your dollars. Stay tuned here for more on HR 2749 when the senate returns from summer recess. 1Ojeniyi, A. A. (1989). “Public health aspects of bacterial drug resistance in modern battery and town/village poultry” Acta Vet Scand 30(2): 127-32.lets say it… Toxic Chemical Found in “Natural” Soy FoodsJuly 2nd, 2009 - Gerald "Gerry" Pugliese
Now, normally you’ll find them frozen in the natural foods section of any supermarket. So you’d assume you’re buying a natural, earthy-friendly food, right? Not always. A new report claims many natural soybeans and soy foods are actually processed with a toxic chemical, but still labeled as natural. Beyond the Bean: The Heroes and Charlatans of the Natural and Organic Soy Foods Industry, released by the The Cornucopia Institute, found a chemical solvent called hexane is almost always used in conventional soy protein ingredients and oils. Hexane separates soy oil from soy protein and fiber. Hexane is a neurotoxin and poses serious risk to workers, the environment and anyone consuming foods contaminated with it. Luckily, hexane is not allowed during the processing of organic foods. Pesticide Sprayers at Risk for Blood DisordersJune 22nd, 2009 - Gerald "Gerry" Pugliese
MGUS is characterized as abnormal levels of plasma protein that can lead to multiple myeloma, a cancer affecting the plasma cells in bone marrow. Printed in the journal Blood, experts examined 678 men, ages 30 to 94, who apply pesticides, taking blood samples and having them fill out a questionnaire asking about pesticide exposure and application methods. Researchers compared this data against a similar group from a large MGUS-screening study taken from the general population. The comparison revealed MGUS was 1.9 times more prevalent in pesticide workers older than 50. Certain chemicals heightened risk more than others. The insecticide dieldrin increased MGUS risk 5.6 fold, while the fungicide chlorothalonil only raised risk 2.4 fold. Either way, scientists insist people should be more aware of the dangers. Fortunately, most of us aren’t spraying pesticides, but to help safeguard yourself, try buying organic cherries, strawberries and peaches, these fruits are among the most contaminated. Via ScienceDaily. Keeping an Eye on Organic DairyJune 15th, 2009 - Laura Klein
Boo to ‘big organic’ dairy companies who break the good organic rules! According to the Cornucopia Institute, a respected sustainable farm watchdog group …
Spoiling organic dairy even further is a class-action law-suit that was recently rejected by a St. Louis judge. These consumer law suits claimed fraud in the sale of “organic” milk coming from Aurora Dairy, which the suit claims violated 14 different federal organic regulations. Consumers from 40 states sued alleging fraud in store brands in Wal-Mart, Target, Safeway, Costco and other national chains served by Aurora. Lawyers will appeal the judge’s rejection. Milking the System for the Best Organic Milk Good news for you: The Cornucopia Institute’s recently updated online scorecoard can help you make smarter consumer choices when buying your organic dairy products. Check out the report and take advantage of 110 ratings of all organic brands (listed alphabetically) based on their ethical and legal approach to milk production. While ‘big organic’ may be shortcutting the rules, the report shows that 90% of organic milk, cheese, butter and yogurt marketers are subscribing to the “spirit and letter of the organic regulations.” Sneak peak: Organic dairy kudos go to Organic Valley, a farmer-owned cooperative that garners a four-cow rating in the Cornucopia scorecard.” Read More: Organic Food Supermarket Trends: Got Milk? Junk Food Making Crows SickJune 15th, 2009 - Gerald "Gerry" Pugliese
And all this food means a lot of waste. Go to any public park or look outside any restaurant and you’ll find a ton of discarded food strewn about. But crows love it! These crafty little scavengers snatch up garbage like a feast, but a diet of fast food and pastries is bad, even for crows. Leftover junk food isn’t nutritious and the chicks of urban crows are smaller and deficient in protein and calcium, compared to crows living in rural areas. Suburban crows eating natural food grow up bigger and stronger. Here’s the problem. Crows are opportunists and scientists suspect they’ll feed their young with whatever is easier to find and cities are hotbeds for scraps of junk. Via Discoblog. Get Your Vegan Comfort Food On!June 9th, 2009 - Laura Klein
Welcome to a magical place where grab and go, decadent comfort food blissfully coexists with super high nutrition and globally good underpinnings…The Veggie Grill’s got it all. “Our overarching purpose is to show people how delicious and enjoyable plant-based food can be when prepared the right way,” says T.K. Pillan, one of The Veggie Grill’s owners. Goodbye bland tofu, uninspired bean sprouts…hello Chipotle BBQ, Grillin’ Chickin’ and Carne Asada sandwiches…all of which are made from 100% plant-based, veggie protein blends. “The Best Chicken Sandwich I Ever Had!” Veggie Grill converts regularly proclaim that The Veggie Grill’s Santa Fe Crispy Chickin’ (crispy fried chillin’ chickin’, lettuce, tomato, red onion, avocado, southwestern spiced vegan mayo on a wheat bun with a side of red cabbage ‘slaw) is ‘the best chicken sandwich I ever had!” The irony? There’s no chicken in it! By using its signature marinades and sauces, The Veggie Grill converts super nutritious plant-based proteins patties (which in their base form, are pretty much flavorless) into familiar and yummy all-American comfort food. “There’s a certain stereotype about vegetarian and vegan food being boring and tasteless,” continues Pillan. The Veggie Grill busts through that myth, despite its cholesterol-, trans fat- and high-fructose corn syrup-free menu offerings. Another amazing side effect? No bloating or sleepiness, as you might feel after a guilty indulgence in ‘conventional’ fast foods. What you eat affects your vitality, and The Veggie Grill is on the right side of your energy and nutritional levels. Eco Bite The Veggie Grill takes a decidedly non-preachy approach to their vegan comfort food…but Pillan adds that 100% plant-based food is as sustainable as you can get. The huge carbon foot print of cattle and other animals raised for food has a greater impact on the planet than even transportation, a little known fact. “Meat is simply an inefficient use of the planet,” says Pillan, citing Brazilian rain forests that are currently being cleared to make room for raised-for-meat cattle grazing. You can get much more from land – and for people – by growing plant-based food versus animals raised for food. Sourcing wise, The Veggie Grill strives for local and organic whenever possible, especially when it comes to produce. Check out Fox’s Good Day L.A.’s recent visit to The Veggie Grill and plan your outing to this amazing eatery soon (there are two locations in Irvine and one in El Segundo, CA). Staying at home? Pick a new dish from Laura Klein’s huge offering of healthy organic recipes! Know any other ‘comfort food’ vegan or vegetarian restaurants? Let us know! Can $40 Million Help Build a More Sustainable Cocoa Industry?June 3rd, 2009 - Leslie Billera
…it’s a heck of a good start! When I found out that there were several bitter truths beyond the taste of my favorite dark chocolate, another layer of guilt was added my guilty pleasure. Not-so-sweet truths about ‘conventional’ chocolate include:
That’s why I was pleased as punch to read about the World Cocoa Foundation’s June Partnership meeting in Washington, D.C. June 3-4th. The meeting will be attended by top U.S. foreign agriculture brass and many other key decision makers in the industry. According to the WCF’s President, Bill Gutyon, “Efforts to improve farming practices, incomes and overall wellbeing for the millions of people who grow this unique crop are expanding significantly.” One great start is the Cocoa Livelihoods Program, a new, $40 million program funded by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, eleven leading chocolate industry companies, and other partners. The program aims to significantly improve the livelihoods of approximately 200,000 cocoa farmers in West and Central Africa. Show your support for organic chocolate with this scrumptious cupcake recipe; and let us know what favorite organic, fair trade chocolate brands are in your cupboard. We love hearing from you! GMOs Aren’t on God’s Good SideMay 28th, 2009 - Gerald "Gerry" Pugliese
Recently, at the Vatican, activists argued that GMOs are invasive and will choke out indigenous plants, but in Uganda officials want to explore the usage of GMOs to help reduce the cost of food. For the Vatican the major taboo about GMOs is their threat to God the creator. After all, God made tomatoes red. Who are we to make them blue with yellow polka dots Although, I think God would appreciate our creativity, but then again, I doubt we REALLY need carrots mixed with scorpions. Via Red Green and Blue. Turn Off the Alarm Bells…May 21st, 2009 - Laura Klein Organic fruits and vegetables at the farmers market Fears Surrounding Food Safety Legislation Are Overblown We all want our food to be safe. That’s a no-brainer. But will the push for new laws and increased oversight hurt organic farmers, consumers of fresh local foods and even backyard gardeners in the rush to fix the nation’s food safety problems? That’s what The Cornucopia Institute a Wisconsin-based organic food and agriculture watchdog, is keeping a close eye on. We spoke to Will Fantle, a spokesperson from The Cornucopia Institute to clear the air. Mr. Fantle told us that while there are some concerns – primarily that a ‘one size fits all’ approach to food safety legislation will simply not work – the reaction has been alarmist. “The outrage shows that there’s a deep well of support for farmers and CSAs which is great,” he admits, “but it needs to be directed towards positive actions.” “Our food safety system is broken,” he admits, going on to note that his organization, and many others like it, will do their best to protect organic and local farmers from overly burdensome food safety legislation that might hinder their trade. With the government focusing on climate change and healthcare legislation, the food safety legislation has been back-burnered until June. We’ll keep you posted. Until then, an action alert released by Cornucopia provides talking points and guidance for consumers and farmers interested in contacting their legislators to urge protection of organic and local food production. It can be found on Cornucopia’s web page at http://www.cornucopia.org/2009/03/action-alert-critical-pending-food-safety -legislation. Let us know what you think about the most recent food safety legislation…we love hearing from you! Read more about Food Safety from our Organic Blog: Factory Farms Pose Unacceptable Risks
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Those of us who care about keeping our food safe and healthy are all waiting with baited breath for the Senate to return from summer recess to consider the HR 2749, the Food Safety Enhancement Act.
Hooray for organic dairy!
“It’s 100% vegan, but it tastes like KFC.”
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