Original Source:  Common Dreams News Center

FDA will not require labeling of genetically engineered animals that are sold as food

WASHINGTON - September 18 - Consumers Union finds it “incomprehensible” that the FDA will not require labeling of genetically engineered animals that are sold as food. Genetically engineered animals may contain genetic material from entirely different species. For example mouse genes have been put into pigs to help them metabolize phosphorous more efficiently, and spider genes have been put into goats so that they produce spider silk in their milk.

FDA proposed today that they will only review genetically engineered animals for their safety as food, and will not require any labeling. “It is incomprehensible to us that FDA does not view these animals as different from their conventional counterparts, and therefore something that under law is required to be labeled,” stated Jean Halloran, Director of Food Policy Initiatives at Consumers Union, nonprofit publisher of Consumer Reports. “In our view, consumers have a right to know if the ham, bacon or pork chops they are buying come from pigs that have been engineered with mouse genes.”

Consumers Union is also concerned that cows engineered to produce antibiotics in their milk, which can help the cow avoid udder infections, also will not be labeled. “Unlike conventional antibiotics, which must be cleared from the cow before it can be used to produce milk or meat, the antibiotic that is genetically engineered into the animal will always be present. We are concerned both about the potential safety and lack of labeling on such food products,” stated Michael Hansen, Ph.D., Senior Scientist at Consumers Union.

Sources:

Image - Wikipedia

FDA Will Not Require Labeling of Genetically Engineered Animals That Are Sold As Food.   Common Dreams.org.

The Organic Times Are a Changin’

New data show that 2008 organic food sales will reach $32.9 billion

by Meredith Niles (Original article taken from Grist.com)

Just as the term “organic” has become mainstream, so has the team “green.”  In fact, according to a recent Times article, it has become too mainstream.  The article refers to the recent phenomenon of seeing the market saturated with green products “greenwashing.”

The problem with this is not that people are becoming aware of the green (and organic) issues.  The problem is that a lot of these products are not actual green.  A recent example - Scot Case who is the vice-president of Terra Choice had his research team analyze supposed green products found in a retail store.  The results?  Only one out of 1,018 products actually lived up to their green product claims.

Why is everyone claiming their products are green when in fact they may not be?  The reason is simple: money.  “Going green has become big business - sales of organic products alone went from $10 billion in 2003 to more than $20 billion in 2007 - companies appear eager to associate themselves with the environment.”

So how can consumers be aware of what is and isn’t green (or organic)?  The TerraChoice website offers some guidelines called the Six Sins.  Telling Green From Greenwashing.

1)     Hidden Trade- Promotion of one aspect of a product as environmentally friendly while its negative impact is obscured.

2)    No Proof - Environmental claim that can’t be easily verified.

3)    Vagueness - Assertion so amorphous that it’s meaningless - like a “nontoxic” claim when anything could be toxic if misued.

4)    Irrelevance - Claim that’s technically true but unimportant for the planet.

5)    Lesser of Two Evils - Claim that isn arrowly true but ignores larger environmental problems - like “green SUVs”

6)    Fibbing - Claim that is demonstrably untrue

There’s also a website called the Greenwashing Index (www.greenwashingindex.com) that allows consumers to post ads that may be examples of greenwashing. The Advertising Standards Authority in Britain has received 561 complaints about false green ads (up from 117 the year before).  Here in the States, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) is updating its Green Guide with the hopes of helping consumers.  If things don’t change soon, the oversaturation of false ads aan do more harm than good.  Scot Case said, “We have better green products but a lot of exaggerated claims.  That could be enough to capsize the whole green movement.”

Source:

Walsh, B.  Going Green - Eco-Buyer Beware.  Time Magazine.  September 22, 2008.

Image:

Istock Photo.

Well, I’m happy to report some good news regarding the brand Giovanni.  I did not have a great experience with their hair care so I was skeptical to try their body lotion.  I am pleased that I did.

It has a creamy texture to it.  It feels like lotion though, not cream, but it is not thin like some lotions either.  It rubs in very nicely, evenly and doesn’t remain sticky again, like some lotions tend to do.  A few minutes later, it has been full absorbed and my skin feels soft and smooth.  

The smell is nice too.  I got the Raspberry Winter which smells just like what you’d expect, raspberries.  It’s not as strong as a plain raspberry scent, perhaps it has something else in it, but it’s definitely fruity.

Bottom line: very pleased with this lotion.  While most of the ingredients are labeled as organic, there are some towards the bottom that clearly are not, such as Polysorbate 60, Carbomer, Dimethicone, and Hydroxymethylglycinate.  These could just be fancy names for vitamins for all I know, but I do know they aren’t labeled as organic.  That would be the only negative aspect to the lotion.

I give it an A!

There is some good news out of the rising cost of oil (always trying to look on the bright side).  A recent study in the United Kingdom has shown that organic food may soon be less expensive than food grown with fertilizers.  This is because fossil fuels are used in industrial farming to manufacture the fertilizers.  “Organic farming, however, improves soil fertility through crop rotations and is less affected by oil prices.”

With the price of oil per barrel increasing, the profit margin on organic wheat, barley and oil seed rape would increase.  Why is this?  Because organic systems take less energy, among other things.  Evidence of the price drop was seen recently in UK markets where organic food sales were said to have dropped by 20 percent over the last eight months.

This is good news indeed. 

Source:

Tibbits, G. “Organic Food To Be Cheaper Than Other Produce.”  Telegraph.co.uk.  09/02/08.

Image:  personal photo

Clothing designers are joining the trend and adding organic and other eco-friendly fabrics to their lines. C&C California and Joe’s Jeans are just a couple who have launched capsule collections.  This isn’t a new trend for some designers, however.  Loomstate, headed by Rogan Gregory and Scott Hahn, launched a collection in 2004 that features clothing made from 100% certified organic materials.  

Gregory said, ”This isn’t some hippie who’s got hemp pants he’s trying to peddle. I’m a designer, first and foremost.  I don’t want people wearing stuff because it’s a favor to me or because it’s organic. I’m into making people look good.”  

The line is sold at Barneys and Bloomingdale’s and is worn by Jake Gyllenhaal.  Recently, a less expensive collection was introduced at Targets.  Pieces cost between $14.99 and $44.99.

Source:

Freydkin, D.  Look good and feel good about stylish organic clothes.  USA Today.  04/22/08.

Recent studies have shown (see article here) that the chemicals in perfumes or scented body creams can cause unborn boys health problems later in life such as infertility or cancer.  This conclusion was made after studying the reproductive system of rats and determining that male foetuses can be damaged as early as eight weeks’ gestation.  

The problem is that a lot of women do not know they are pregnant during this time.  The foetus’s hormones are activated during this early gestation period and the male reproductive system is established.  The chemicals can block the hormones causing these reproductive system problems.  

The final diagnosis: “Women could stop using body creams and perfumes.  Although we do not have conclusive evidence that they do harm, there are components about which there are question marks; for example it could be certain combinations of chemicals.  If you are thinking about how a baby might be exposed, that’s one way, and it’s something positive you can do. It might have no consequence, but it’s something positive women can do for their baby.”

Sources: 

Foster, K. Women Warned Not to Wear Perfume During Pregnancy.  08-31-08.

Image - Perfumes.  Wikipedia.

With food shortages reaching an all-time high and with prices constantly increasing, my husband and I are spending time evaluating our food storage.  We like to keep things on hand in the event of an emergency, but now we’re thinking it’s smart to keep extra food just to save money too.

The article “The Top Twelve Foods for Long Term Storage” makes a good point that when buying bulk items, you should buy foods that are nutritional.  If there is an emergency, it is the nutritional food that will sustain you, not junk food.  

So what do you purchase?  Which foods will last for situations such as those?

4 packaged foods (indefinite shelf life)

1) Jarred Raw Nut Butters - almond, peanut, and sesame butters are good protein sources

2) Canned Tomatoes - Used in pasta and other dishes, contain Lycopne

3) Canned Beans - black, red, chili or garbanzo beans - good sources of protein

4) Canned Sardines - Protein and Omega-3 oil, less mercury than tuna

4 Bulk Grains (2 year shelf life)

1) Brown Rice - cheaper than white, a health food since it is a staple grain

2) Spelt Flour - can be used to make bread dough

3) Popcorn - Great source of fiber, be sure to buy organic as popcorn is “one of the most pesticide-laden foods”

4) Dried Peas - good source of protein and can be used in many recipes

4 Protein Sources (6-12 month shelf life)

1) Raw Milk Cheese from Grass Fed Cows - gets better with time and is a complete food, should be aged more than 60 days, kept at about 44-48 degrees, look for mold growth and if it stored in contact with plastic, remove the part that has contacted the plastic as it will absorb its chemicals

2) Grass Fed Beef and Lamb - can be canned or frozen and is reasonably priced if in bulk

3) Free Range Chicken - It can be stored in the freezer and most of the parts can be used including the bones (composted or ground up for pet food)

4) Miso soup - Very concentrated and is a great source of protein - only one or two tablespoons of miso paste makes a pot of soup

Source:

McLaughlin, N.  The Top Twelve Foods for Long Term Storage.  The Natural News.  08/28/08.

Images:

Meat.  Wikipedia.  Grains.  Wikipedia.  Grains. Wikipedia. Peanut Butter. Wikipedia.

I love my pets, so I apply an ointment to their shoulders every month in an attempt to keep those nasty little fleas and ticks off of them and out of our home.  As scared as I am of ticks, I consider it a necessity.

But…I recently read an article by Green Paws titled Pet Products May Harm Both Pets and Humans.  Apparently there are dangerous chemicals in some of the pet products used.  Chemicals with long names like organophosophates and tetrachlorvinphos.  The toxins affect the nervous system by interfering with nerve signals.  These chemicals hurt not only your pets, but also your family members, especially children who typically have close contact with your family pets.   

So how do you treat your pet against fleas and ticks? 

• Bathe them weekly or every other week (use an organic shampoo if possible). 
• Be sure to look at tick’s favorite hiding places: around the ears, at the base of the tail and between the toes. 
• Wash your pet’s laundry on that same day
• Vacuum carpet weekly to get rid of any flea eggs
• if you have to use a chemical product, those that come in pills are said to be safer (and they won’t be transferred to your family by touching your pet)
• Check the label

The good news is that six of chemicals similar to the ones mentioned were removed from pet products between 2000 and 2006.  But there’s still work to be done.  To learn more and to join the fight against toxins being used in pet products, visit the Green Paws website. 

Source:

Green Paws.com.

Images: wikipedia (Scott Bauer) and (CDC)