Watch out for a volatile organic compound called 1,4 dichlorobenzene (1,4 DCB) ...it's a common ingredient found in many air fresheners, toilet bowl cleaners, mothballs and other deodorizing products, and new research indicates it may cause modest reductions in lung function.
Even a modest reduction in lung function can be extremely dangerous, especially for children who may have asthma or other respiratory illnesses.
1,4 DCB, is a white solid compound with a distinctive aroma, similar to mothballs. It is typically used primarily as a space deodorant in products such as room deodorizers, urinal and toilet bowl blocks, and as an insecticide fumigant for moth control.
The USA Dept. of Health and Human Services issued the News Release regarding new research confirming 1,4 DCB dangers through NIEHS on July 27, 2006. Click through this link to read the full news release.
Saturday, July 29, 2006
Monday, July 24, 2006
ABC News, TIME Magazine, TODAY Show all have goji in common
At 7/24/06 - 8:45 AM (edt) "Today Show" style consultant, Bobbie Thomas on WHAT's HOT in America this summer showcased goji berries. Sitting on the table in front of her was a bottle of our own preferred best source of goji, Himalayan Goji Juice.
This month alone, the news about goji berries has appeared:
- in bookstores nationwide featured on the cover of "Breakthroughs In Health"
- in a recent press release featuring the "Running the Sahara" ultra long distance runners
- in a Time Magazine article
- in an ABC News story
- and now, the Today Show...
But here's the thing I'd like to point out. Goji juice's benefits are cumulative... meaning that the longer you drink it, the more likely you are to see results.
In nutrition ...in fact, in health in general... consistency is the key.
If you think one bottle (or one bag of dried berries) is going to change the cumulative effects of everything you've done over the years to your b^ody, think again. Nothing is truly a "magic" cure-all.
That being said, goji juice definitely is one powerful punch to put you on the right path to positive well being!
Oh... you haven't tried it yet? Why not?
Tags: goji free goji report goji reviews goji berry goji juice goji plant goji benefits goji products goji berries
This month alone, the news about goji berries has appeared:
- in bookstores nationwide featured on the cover of "Breakthroughs In Health"
- in a recent press release featuring the "Running the Sahara" ultra long distance runners
- in a Time Magazine article
- in an ABC News story
- and now, the Today Show...
But here's the thing I'd like to point out. Goji juice's benefits are cumulative... meaning that the longer you drink it, the more likely you are to see results.
In nutrition ...in fact, in health in general... consistency is the key.
If you think one bottle (or one bag of dried berries) is going to change the cumulative effects of everything you've done over the years to your b^ody, think again. Nothing is truly a "magic" cure-all.
That being said, goji juice definitely is one powerful punch to put you on the right path to positive well being!
Oh... you haven't tried it yet? Why not?
Tags: goji free goji report goji reviews goji berry goji juice goji plant goji benefits goji products goji berries
Wednesday, July 19, 2006
FDA Warning - Impotence Dietary Supplements
The FDA has warned consumers not to buy/use 7 dietary supplements sold online to treat impotence and enhance sexual performance, stating they are unapproved, illegal and risky.
The list includes products, which FDA testing show contain active drug ingredients which in the USA, are available only by prescription.
The 7 products are: Zimaxx, Libidus, Neophase, Nasutra, Vigor-25, Actra-Rx and 4Everon.
Chemical analyses showed the products contain either chemical ingredients that are similar to sildenafil or a second drug called vardenafil, the FDA said. The FDA has sent warning letters to the product marketers banning their products as illegal drugs.
The MayoClinic reports:
The list includes products, which FDA testing show contain active drug ingredients which in the USA, are available only by prescription.
The 7 products are: Zimaxx, Libidus, Neophase, Nasutra, Vigor-25, Actra-Rx and 4Everon.
Chemical analyses showed the products contain either chemical ingredients that are similar to sildenafil or a second drug called vardenafil, the FDA said. The FDA has sent warning letters to the product marketers banning their products as illegal drugs.
The MayoClinic reports:
They contain potentially harmful drugs, the FDA says, which aren't included on the product labels. The drug-containing supplements aren't regulated or approved by the FDA, and because the source of the ingredients is unknown there's no guarantee that the ingredients are 'safe, effective or pure.'
The FDA says that products such as the ones on its warning list claim that they are 'all natural,' but they contain the active ingredients in FDA-approved medications for ED. An FDA chemical analysis showed that Zimaxx contains sildenafil, the active ingredient in the FDA-approved ED drug Viagra. The other products on the warning list contained either a version of sildenafil or vardenafil, which is the active ingredient in another FDA-approved ED drug, Levitra.
Berry Good Clinical Study
According to a new clinical study, published on-line ahead of print in the journal "Neurobiology and Aging" (doi: 10.1016/j.neurobiolaging.2006.05.031), berry extracts have been found to produce "stellar brain protection" against aging and provide protection from dangerous galactic radiation.
The new study was partly supported by NASA and conducted by scientists from Tufts University and the University of Maryland.
“It appeared that the antioxidant diets and the different polyphenols in these fruits might be acting in different brain regions to produce their beneficial effects,” said the researchers.
“Perhaps, the polyphenolic compounds in blueberries are working mainly in the striatum, while those in strawberries are primarily affecting the hippocampus. While these results are interesting, more testing needs to be done to confirm this suggestion,” they said.
“These findings suggest that multiple mechanisms may be involved in the beneficial effects of high antioxidant fruits on ageing as well as radiation,” concluded the researchers.
And this latter point could well see these super fruits going inter-planetary at some point in the future.
“It may be important to include berryfruit or berryfruit extract supplementation as countermeasures to mitigate the effects of radiation during long-term missions in space and also to reduce or reverse the deleterious effects of aging.”
Further details can be found in this news article at NutraIngredients.com/USA
The new study was partly supported by NASA and conducted by scientists from Tufts University and the University of Maryland.
“It appeared that the antioxidant diets and the different polyphenols in these fruits might be acting in different brain regions to produce their beneficial effects,” said the researchers.
“Perhaps, the polyphenolic compounds in blueberries are working mainly in the striatum, while those in strawberries are primarily affecting the hippocampus. While these results are interesting, more testing needs to be done to confirm this suggestion,” they said.
“These findings suggest that multiple mechanisms may be involved in the beneficial effects of high antioxidant fruits on ageing as well as radiation,” concluded the researchers.
And this latter point could well see these super fruits going inter-planetary at some point in the future.
“It may be important to include berryfruit or berryfruit extract supplementation as countermeasures to mitigate the effects of radiation during long-term missions in space and also to reduce or reverse the deleterious effects of aging.”
Further details can be found in this news article at NutraIngredients.com/USA
Monday, July 17, 2006
Special Report - Is Goji Right For You?
As goji hits the headlines once again -- See this abc News Story -- and the 3-man expedition team of ultra distance runners prepare to face their death-defying trek across the Sahara Desert with the belief that Himalayan Goji Juice will help them do what no one has been able to do before... we felt it was time to publish our Special F^REE Goji Report:
Is Goji Right For You?
Get your copy at:
http://www.bestliquidvitamins.com/goji.html
Learn what we discovered in our own personal journey drinking goji juice. It's not what you might think.
If you've been wondering at all if you should try it, this is one report you NEED to READ!
Keyword Tags: goji free goji report goji reviews goji berry goji juice goji plant goji benefits goji products goji berries
Is Goji Right For You?
Get your copy at:
http://www.bestliquidvitamins.com/goji.html
Learn what we discovered in our own personal journey drinking goji juice. It's not what you might think.
If you've been wondering at all if you should try it, this is one report you NEED to READ!
Keyword Tags: goji free goji report goji reviews goji berry goji juice goji plant goji benefits goji products goji berries
Thursday, July 13, 2006
Salmonella in Cadbury chocolate (Europe)
I'm not sure if you heard about Cadbury (in Europe) having found traces of the Salmonella montevideo strain in its products last month. Seven of its most popular brands were subsequently recalled by the company after the FSA discovered the problem. Here's an update:
Cadbury claims it did not disclose to officials that its products could be contaminated with the Salmonella montevideo strain as only "minute" traces of the bacteria were found and the company deemed the risk too low.
But the Advisory Committee on the Microbiological Safety of Food (ACMSF) released a damning report yesterday in which it stated that: “The presence of salmonella in ready-to-eat foods such as chocolate is unacceptable at any level.” (full story here)
Coca-Cola trade secrets stolen?
Apparently 3 people have been arrested in the USA for stealing top secret documents from Coca-Cola and attempting to sell them to its arch-rival, PepsiCo.
As if the soda pop industry doesn't have enough trouble on their hands, what with the benzene thing, and the "no pop in schools" push on, now they have to watch out for industrial espionage, too?
PepsiCo said it alerted Coca-Cola after it received an e-mail from a man calling himself ‘Dirk', offering “very detailed and confidential information” that only a few top Coca-Cola executives had seen. (see full story here)An FBI "sting operation" was set up using video surveilance cameras, and sure enough... there was an actual theft attempt. An undercover agent concluded the transaction for some files and a sample of what Coca-Cola confirmed was a new product under development. After the "sale" the 3 people involved were rounded up and put under lock and key.
As if the soda pop industry doesn't have enough trouble on their hands, what with the benzene thing, and the "no pop in schools" push on, now they have to watch out for industrial espionage, too?
Tuesday, June 27, 2006
New soy health benefits discovered
When Dr. Earl Mindell first came out with the health benefits related to soy, the medical establishment gave no credence to his findings. In fact, when he first published "The Vitamin Bible" 25 years ago, and a later book "The Soy Miracle," he was frequently criticized by mainstream physicians and health practitioners for championing the use of nutritional supplements.
Since that time, in study after study after study, soy has been proving to be the miracle that Dr. Mindell first claimed.
However, a recent scientific statement by the American Heart Association (AHA) in one journal "Circulation" concluded that soy had little effect on cholesterol levels, and raised doubts about health claims associated with soy.
Dr. Frank Sacks, a member of the AHA panel, reportedly said in January: "It's really clear that isoflavones don't contribute anything to cardiovascular benefits."
But a new study, published in The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism (Vol. 91, pp. 2209-2213), reports that high blood levels of daidzein were associated with favourable lipoprotein profiles. (In other words, "increasing levels of daidzein, an isoflavone found in soy, have been linked to significant improvements in cholesterol levels and could boost heart health.")
If its findings are reproduced in future studies, they might lead to a re-evaluation of the science that led AHA to its conclusion.
What is truly interesting is that much of the health supporting evidence for soy comes from independent research that is not even remotely connected to Dr. Mindell or any of his products.
Sometimes it's tough to be a trail-blazer leading the way on issues relating to health and wellness.
Thankfully, Dr. Mindell didn't quit.
About Dr. Earl Mindell: Dr. Earl Mindell is a registered Pharmacist, Master Herbalist, with a Ph.D. in Nutrition, and the author of over 30 books dealing specifically with nutrition. He's often referred throughout the world as the "Father of the Nutrition Movement" and appears on more than 300 shows per year, such as CNN Live, Oprah, and more. He is also an highly sought after public speaker for several organizations, including the United Nations, as an authority on anti-aging, nutrition and wellness.
Since that time, in study after study after study, soy has been proving to be the miracle that Dr. Mindell first claimed.
However, a recent scientific statement by the American Heart Association (AHA) in one journal "Circulation" concluded that soy had little effect on cholesterol levels, and raised doubts about health claims associated with soy.
Dr. Frank Sacks, a member of the AHA panel, reportedly said in January: "It's really clear that isoflavones don't contribute anything to cardiovascular benefits."
But a new study, published in The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism (Vol. 91, pp. 2209-2213), reports that high blood levels of daidzein were associated with favourable lipoprotein profiles. (In other words, "increasing levels of daidzein, an isoflavone found in soy, have been linked to significant improvements in cholesterol levels and could boost heart health.")
If its findings are reproduced in future studies, they might lead to a re-evaluation of the science that led AHA to its conclusion.
What is truly interesting is that much of the health supporting evidence for soy comes from independent research that is not even remotely connected to Dr. Mindell or any of his products.
Sometimes it's tough to be a trail-blazer leading the way on issues relating to health and wellness.
Thankfully, Dr. Mindell didn't quit.
About Dr. Earl Mindell: Dr. Earl Mindell is a registered Pharmacist, Master Herbalist, with a Ph.D. in Nutrition, and the author of over 30 books dealing specifically with nutrition. He's often referred throughout the world as the "Father of the Nutrition Movement" and appears on more than 300 shows per year, such as CNN Live, Oprah, and more. He is also an highly sought after public speaker for several organizations, including the United Nations, as an authority on anti-aging, nutrition and wellness.
Anti-cancer activity of xanthohumol hops not really great news for beer drinkers
The anti-cancer activity of xanthohumol (which is found in hops) was first discovered around 10 years ago by a team at Oregon State University in the US according to this article.
However, there's no reason for beer drinkers to get excited yet.
"Beer is the major dietary source of xanthohumol, but the average content of xanthohumol in beer may not be high enough to produce a significant inhibitory effect on benign prostate hyperplasia (BPH) in humans," writes lead author Emily Colgate.
She also stated that a person would have to drink more than 17 beers to consume the same amount found effective in the study.
"Nevertheless, xanthohumol can be isolated from hops in large quantities and be examined further for its use as a dietary supplement for the prevention of BPH or prostate cancer in humans," said Colgate.
The Oregon State researchers also conclude, "Animal toxicity studies provide evidence that xanthohumol may not be harmful to humans but further safety and efficacy studies in vivo are needed before xanthohumol can be recommended as a human dietary supplement for BPH or prostate cancer."
However, there's no reason for beer drinkers to get excited yet.
"Beer is the major dietary source of xanthohumol, but the average content of xanthohumol in beer may not be high enough to produce a significant inhibitory effect on benign prostate hyperplasia (BPH) in humans," writes lead author Emily Colgate.
She also stated that a person would have to drink more than 17 beers to consume the same amount found effective in the study.
"Nevertheless, xanthohumol can be isolated from hops in large quantities and be examined further for its use as a dietary supplement for the prevention of BPH or prostate cancer in humans," said Colgate.
The Oregon State researchers also conclude, "Animal toxicity studies provide evidence that xanthohumol may not be harmful to humans but further safety and efficacy studies in vivo are needed before xanthohumol can be recommended as a human dietary supplement for BPH or prostate cancer."
Reducing exercise-induced pain and damage in muscles
If drinking cherry juice could reduce the pain and damage in muscles
induced by exercise (according to one recent study) then one really has to wonder how powerful drinking a little goji juice can be.
You see, the goji berry of true Himalayan origin now has 72 independent clinical studies -- not company sponsored -- all supporting its health-giving benefits (a surprisingly wide range of health benefits) and independent study of this remarkable berry is ongoing... whereas the recent cherry juice study from the Human Performance Laboratory at the University of Vermont was "sponsored by US-based company Cherrypharm" -- a company that makes a tart form of cherry juice which is target-marketed at athletes.
Personally, I prefer independent studies. How about you?
induced by exercise (according to one recent study) then one really has to wonder how powerful drinking a little goji juice can be.
You see, the goji berry of true Himalayan origin now has 72 independent clinical studies -- not company sponsored -- all supporting its health-giving benefits (a surprisingly wide range of health benefits) and independent study of this remarkable berry is ongoing... whereas the recent cherry juice study from the Human Performance Laboratory at the University of Vermont was "sponsored by US-based company Cherrypharm" -- a company that makes a tart form of cherry juice which is target-marketed at athletes.
Personally, I prefer independent studies. How about you?
Thursday, June 01, 2006
Dangers of Chlorine in Pools
It's summertime here in the USA -- which for many families also means time in the pool. Pool safety may take on a new meaning for most after reading this brief article regarding the dangers of chlorine in USA pools.
Think about this a moment: chlorine provides the "C" in deadly PCB, and it is the source of the "chloro" in ozone-destroying chlorofluorocarbons. And chlorine is a key ingredient in many of the world's nastiest poisons, including Agent Orange and DDT.
We've found some excellent advice on one Doctor's site that may help this pool season. Click to read "Dangers of Chlorine in USA Pools"
Think about this a moment: chlorine provides the "C" in deadly PCB, and it is the source of the "chloro" in ozone-destroying chlorofluorocarbons. And chlorine is a key ingredient in many of the world's nastiest poisons, including Agent Orange and DDT.
We've found some excellent advice on one Doctor's site that may help this pool season. Click to read "Dangers of Chlorine in USA Pools"
Tuesday, May 23, 2006
FDA Releases Benzene Data
On May 19, 2006 the official FDA release was published regarding Data on Benzene in Soft Drinks and Other Beverages in which they name actual brands that were found above the drinking water standard of 5 ppb.
It's a slight change of tone when compared with the March 21, 2006 FDA "Letter Regarding Benzene Levels in Soft Drinks" ...for instance, no mention of public health risk was made in the May release, whereas the March letter indicates "...that low ppb levels of benzene found in these products did not and do not constitute an imminent health hazard."
The timing of the recent FDA data release comes as one news source reports Kraft is now under fire with lawsuits filed against them in 3 States -- in Massachusetts, Florida and reportedly California.
The Massachusetts and Florida lawsuits against Kraft also targeted several other soft drinks makers: PepsiCo, In Zone Brands, Polar Beverages, Talking Rain Beverage Company and John Doe.
It's a slight change of tone when compared with the March 21, 2006 FDA "Letter Regarding Benzene Levels in Soft Drinks" ...for instance, no mention of public health risk was made in the May release, whereas the March letter indicates "...that low ppb levels of benzene found in these products did not and do not constitute an imminent health hazard."
The timing of the recent FDA data release comes as one news source reports Kraft is now under fire with lawsuits filed against them in 3 States -- in Massachusetts, Florida and reportedly California.
The Massachusetts and Florida lawsuits against Kraft also targeted several other soft drinks makers: PepsiCo, In Zone Brands, Polar Beverages, Talking Rain Beverage Company and John Doe.
Tuesday, May 09, 2006
New cGMPs for dietary supplements set for Dec. 2006
The FDA publication of "current Good Manufacturing Practice" for dietary supplements has been set for the end of 2006, however they have stated these guidelines would be released before and have missed previous deadlines.
The cGMPs form part of the Dietary Supplements Health and Education Act (DSHEA), which was signed into law more than decade ago in 1994.
The hold-up over the guidelines has laid DSHEA open to criticism from those, particularly in the medical community, who would have dietary supplements subjected to the same rigorous approvals process as pharmaceutical drugs.
In an interview with NutraIngredients-USA.com early last year John Hathcock, VP for scientific and international affairs at the Council for Responsible Nutrition, said that the most of the council's members already adhere to manufacturing practices that are as good or better than what the FDA will require.
FreeLife is an excellent example of a dietary supplements firm that goes above and beyond required Good Manufacturing Processes, utilizing a 30-Step process before bringing any supplement to market which includes; scientific and background research, compatibility studies, pharmaceutical grade ingredients, pilot-scale blend and dosage studies, intense screening of raw materials, potency and content uniformity analysis, dissolution testing (for esnuring proper absorbancy by the body) and much more.
Hathcock believes that the FDA has "massively misjudged the economic cost for a company going through the process, especially in record-keeping". It estimates that a company will need to spend around $47,000 on compliance, depending on its size.
Nonetheless, Hathcock sees the cost as entirely necessary. "If you can't afford to make good products, you shouldn't be making products at all," he said, adding that one company that fails to comply gives the entire industry a bad name.
We agree!
The cGMPs form part of the Dietary Supplements Health and Education Act (DSHEA), which was signed into law more than decade ago in 1994.
The hold-up over the guidelines has laid DSHEA open to criticism from those, particularly in the medical community, who would have dietary supplements subjected to the same rigorous approvals process as pharmaceutical drugs.
In an interview with NutraIngredients-USA.com early last year John Hathcock, VP for scientific and international affairs at the Council for Responsible Nutrition, said that the most of the council's members already adhere to manufacturing practices that are as good or better than what the FDA will require.
FreeLife is an excellent example of a dietary supplements firm that goes above and beyond required Good Manufacturing Processes, utilizing a 30-Step process before bringing any supplement to market which includes; scientific and background research, compatibility studies, pharmaceutical grade ingredients, pilot-scale blend and dosage studies, intense screening of raw materials, potency and content uniformity analysis, dissolution testing (for esnuring proper absorbancy by the body) and much more.
Hathcock believes that the FDA has "massively misjudged the economic cost for a company going through the process, especially in record-keeping". It estimates that a company will need to spend around $47,000 on compliance, depending on its size.
Nonetheless, Hathcock sees the cost as entirely necessary. "If you can't afford to make good products, you shouldn't be making products at all," he said, adding that one company that fails to comply gives the entire industry a bad name.
We agree!
NIH Conference on Multi Vitamins
The National Institutes of Health (NIH) will be hosting a "State-of-the-Science Conference on Multivitamin/Mineral Supplements for Chronic Disease Prevention," May 15 – 17, 2006 in Bethesda, Maryland.
According to their news release:
Keep in mind that the NIH is a part of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. It is also considered to be the primary Federal agency for conducting and supporting medical research.
Panel chair nominations are made by an organizational committee, which is
made up of OMAR staff, representatives of the NIH Institute or Center proposing the topic, and other interested government agencies (U.S. Food and Drug
Administration [FDA], Centers for Disease Control and Prevention [CDC], etc.).
This conference is open to the public.
If you are unable to attend the event, a live Webcast of the conference will be available at http://videocast.nih.gov/.
According to their news release:
"It is estimated that more than one-third of American adults take multivitamin/mineral supplements regularly. Recommendations regarding supplement use from expert groups vary widely, as does the strength of the evidence supporting such guidelines.
In observational studies, MVM use has been associated with better health outcomes but there are few data available from randomized trials to provide more definitive evidence.
As more and more Americans seek strategies for maintaining good health and preventing disease, and as the marketplace offers an increasing number of products to fill that desire, it is important that consumers have the best possible information to inform their choices. Toward that end, this conference is expected to delineate gaps in current knowledge and to provide guidance about how NIH can help to fill those gaps."
Keep in mind that the NIH is a part of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. It is also considered to be the primary Federal agency for conducting and supporting medical research.
Panel chair nominations are made by an organizational committee, which is
made up of OMAR staff, representatives of the NIH Institute or Center proposing the topic, and other interested government agencies (U.S. Food and Drug
Administration [FDA], Centers for Disease Control and Prevention [CDC], etc.).
This conference is open to the public.
If you are unable to attend the event, a live Webcast of the conference will be available at http://videocast.nih.gov/.
Benzene lawsuit hits Pepsi-Co
We've been following the benzene trail ever since the news hit:
5/03/2006 - Bad Luck for Soft Drinks Firms
4/17/2006 - Law Suits Filed Over Benzene in Soft Drinks
4/13/2006 - Soft Drinks - Benzene Risks Heat Up
2/17/2006 - Benzene Contamination In Some USA Soft Drinks
It was a matter of time before lawyers would file a lawsuit against one of America's "Big 3" ...namely PepsiCo in California, alleging one of its drinks may contain the cancer-causing chemical benzene. It's happened, according to BeverageDaily
If the lawsuit filed against Pepsi does end up in court, then I have a feeling many more details on what took place 15 years ago will emerge -- specifically regarding research that was completed back then, and even more specifically regarding the agreement reached between the FDA and the soft drinks Industry.
In a way, it isn't just the soft drinks industry on trial here. There's also the "public court of opinion" ...and the "trust" they place in their government to protect them.
5/03/2006 - Bad Luck for Soft Drinks Firms
4/17/2006 - Law Suits Filed Over Benzene in Soft Drinks
4/13/2006 - Soft Drinks - Benzene Risks Heat Up
2/17/2006 - Benzene Contamination In Some USA Soft Drinks
It was a matter of time before lawyers would file a lawsuit against one of America's "Big 3" ...namely PepsiCo in California, alleging one of its drinks may contain the cancer-causing chemical benzene. It's happened, according to BeverageDaily
The class action suit, launched against the Pepsi Twist drink, marks the first time one of America's 'big three' soft drinks firms has been drawn into a legal battle over recent concern about benzene in drinks.
"Pepsi Twist has been falsely promoted as a safe consumer product, when in fact, it contains the ingredients ascorbic acid and potassium benzoate, which can and do produce the carcinogenic chemical benzene when exposed to heat and light," the lawsuit, filed by lawyers Howard Hewell and Howard Rubinstein, alleges.
If the lawsuit filed against Pepsi does end up in court, then I have a feeling many more details on what took place 15 years ago will emerge -- specifically regarding research that was completed back then, and even more specifically regarding the agreement reached between the FDA and the soft drinks Industry.
In a way, it isn't just the soft drinks industry on trial here. There's also the "public court of opinion" ...and the "trust" they place in their government to protect them.
Sunday, May 07, 2006
Organic Milk - Why You Should Care
Now estimated in excess of $15 billion in annual sales, the organic dairy industry is said to be at risk by those who are willing to twist, manipulate, and even ignore federal organic regulations in their rush to cash in on this growing lucrative market.
A new report/survey published by the Cornucopia Institute titled -- "Maintaining The Integrity Of Organic Milk" (.pdf document) -- allows consumers to easily identify those organic dairy products that have been produced with the best organic practices. It also reveals some of the "FRAUDS" in the marketplace ...and indepth coverage of apparent government carelessness (for lack of a better term) regarding the organic industry.
The survey rates 68 different "organic" dairy brands and private-label products found across the country. Nearly 20% of the name-brands now available on grocery shelves scored a substandard rating.
Some of the brands named that rated a BAD SCORE include:
Stremicks (Heritage-Foods), Santa Ana, CA: Supplied by factory farm under investigation. Farm paid $300,000 settlement for abusing workers.
Organic Cow (Dean Foods), Dallas, TX (Northeast): Purchased by Horizon, then Dean Foods. Organic Cow is a brand managed by Dean.
Horizon (Dean Foods), Dallas, TX: $11 billion--the nation's largest conventional & organic milk marketer. Owns 4000 cow "farm".
Back to Nature (Kraft): Glenview, IL Produces Cheese products distributed nationwide but landed on the "Ethically Challenged" list.
Visit here for the full report/scorecard.
Organic vs. Non-Organic -- Why Should You Care?
Let's start with recombinant bovine growth hormone (rBGH) -- manufactured and marketed by Monsanto. It was one of the first genetically engineered agricultural production products to be sold in the USA.
Designed to boost a dairy cow's milk output and approved for use by the FDA on November 5, 1994, rBGH has played a significant role in the industrialization of dairy production. It has serious implications for animal welfare and poses a potentially serious health threat to dairy cows. The synthetic hormone's impact on human health is still being vigorously debated. It's banned for use in Canada and the UK.
Some of the larger "so-called organic" dairy farms sell off all of their calves at birth and buy conventional replacement heifers at approximately one year of age. This saves them the expense of feeding the calves organic feed for the full two years of their lives prior to their entering the milking line which could result in dairy cows that have been raised using organic-rating prohibited materials (ie. milk replacer/cow's blood, antibiotics, conventional feed containing potential pesticide contamination, genetically engineered feed, poultry manure, etc.).
Consumers should also be aware that milk from factory-farm operations may be less nutritious than that from pastured dairy cows. What cows eat affects their milk's nutrition.
The Danish Institute of Agricultural Research recently reported that organic milk -- defined as produced by pastured cows -- is 50% higher in vitamin E, 75% higher in omega-3 fatty acids, and 200%–300% higher in antioxidants than conventional milk.
And The Union of Concerned Scientists has just released the first comprehensive study that confirms that beef and milk from animals raised entirely on pasture have higher levels of beneficial fats that may prevent heart disease and strengthen the immune system.
Additionally, many consumers believe that their patronage of organic brands connects them more directly to family farmers, who they respect and want to financially support. They feel good about the fact that farming organically allows these farmers and their children to avoid occupational exposure to toxins, which has resulted in conventional farmers having the highest rates of cancer of any occupation.
A Final Note...
"Knowledge is power. And that is evidently what many of the largest corporate players in organic food are afraid of: empowering consumers." Quoted from the "Maintaining The Integrity Of Organic Milk" Report
As you might guess, the Cornucopia Institute is facing a great deal of adversity for their organic dairy survey results from industry heavy-weights, including the Organic Trade Association (OTA) themselves ...a once highly respected, now sadly tarnished organic industry group.
I refer you back to our "USA Food Fight" article. If you are relying on Federal governing bodies (such as the FDA, USDA, etc.) to protect your health and oversee food quality -- and safety -- in the USA, think again.
Perhaps a new label is required on ALL our food products:
"This product, in whole or in part, contains genetically altered ingredients and/or ingredients produced by factory farming and/or genetic-engineering methods."
But then we'd have to inform the public about factory farming, and that could stir up a whole bunch of trouble for the heavy-hitters, wouldn't it?
A new report/survey published by the Cornucopia Institute titled -- "Maintaining The Integrity Of Organic Milk" (.pdf document) -- allows consumers to easily identify those organic dairy products that have been produced with the best organic practices. It also reveals some of the "FRAUDS" in the marketplace ...and indepth coverage of apparent government carelessness (for lack of a better term) regarding the organic industry.
The survey rates 68 different "organic" dairy brands and private-label products found across the country. Nearly 20% of the name-brands now available on grocery shelves scored a substandard rating.
"By purchasing organic products, consumers have demonstrated that they are interested in healthy, whole foods, grown without the potential for contamination by toxic agrichemicals or drugs, including antibiotics and growth hormones. And for some, the added bonus of supporting environmental protection and sustainability is a strong inducement. ...We intend this organic dairy brand scorecard to empower organic consumers and wholesale buyers in the marketplace, equipping them with the knowledge to make good and discerning purchasing decisions."In response to the results of the report, The Organic Consumers Association is calling for an allout boycott of bogus organic milk brands.
Some of the brands named that rated a BAD SCORE include:
Stremicks (Heritage-Foods), Santa Ana, CA: Supplied by factory farm under investigation. Farm paid $300,000 settlement for abusing workers.
Organic Cow (Dean Foods), Dallas, TX (Northeast): Purchased by Horizon, then Dean Foods. Organic Cow is a brand managed by Dean.
Horizon (Dean Foods), Dallas, TX: $11 billion--the nation's largest conventional & organic milk marketer. Owns 4000 cow "farm".
Back to Nature (Kraft): Glenview, IL Produces Cheese products distributed nationwide but landed on the "Ethically Challenged" list.
Visit here for the full report/scorecard.
Organic vs. Non-Organic -- Why Should You Care?
Let's start with recombinant bovine growth hormone (rBGH) -- manufactured and marketed by Monsanto. It was one of the first genetically engineered agricultural production products to be sold in the USA.
Designed to boost a dairy cow's milk output and approved for use by the FDA on November 5, 1994, rBGH has played a significant role in the industrialization of dairy production. It has serious implications for animal welfare and poses a potentially serious health threat to dairy cows. The synthetic hormone's impact on human health is still being vigorously debated. It's banned for use in Canada and the UK.
Some of the larger "so-called organic" dairy farms sell off all of their calves at birth and buy conventional replacement heifers at approximately one year of age. This saves them the expense of feeding the calves organic feed for the full two years of their lives prior to their entering the milking line which could result in dairy cows that have been raised using organic-rating prohibited materials (ie. milk replacer/cow's blood, antibiotics, conventional feed containing potential pesticide contamination, genetically engineered feed, poultry manure, etc.).
Consumers should also be aware that milk from factory-farm operations may be less nutritious than that from pastured dairy cows. What cows eat affects their milk's nutrition.
The Danish Institute of Agricultural Research recently reported that organic milk -- defined as produced by pastured cows -- is 50% higher in vitamin E, 75% higher in omega-3 fatty acids, and 200%–300% higher in antioxidants than conventional milk.
And The Union of Concerned Scientists has just released the first comprehensive study that confirms that beef and milk from animals raised entirely on pasture have higher levels of beneficial fats that may prevent heart disease and strengthen the immune system.
Additionally, many consumers believe that their patronage of organic brands connects them more directly to family farmers, who they respect and want to financially support. They feel good about the fact that farming organically allows these farmers and their children to avoid occupational exposure to toxins, which has resulted in conventional farmers having the highest rates of cancer of any occupation.
A Final Note...
"Knowledge is power. And that is evidently what many of the largest corporate players in organic food are afraid of: empowering consumers." Quoted from the "Maintaining The Integrity Of Organic Milk" Report
As you might guess, the Cornucopia Institute is facing a great deal of adversity for their organic dairy survey results from industry heavy-weights, including the Organic Trade Association (OTA) themselves ...a once highly respected, now sadly tarnished organic industry group.
I refer you back to our "USA Food Fight" article. If you are relying on Federal governing bodies (such as the FDA, USDA, etc.) to protect your health and oversee food quality -- and safety -- in the USA, think again.
Perhaps a new label is required on ALL our food products:
"This product, in whole or in part, contains genetically altered ingredients and/or ingredients produced by factory farming and/or genetic-engineering methods."
But then we'd have to inform the public about factory farming, and that could stir up a whole bunch of trouble for the heavy-hitters, wouldn't it?
Wednesday, May 03, 2006
Bad Luck for Soft Drinks Firms
New benzene lawsuits, in addition to those we mentioned in our previous benzene article, have been filed against soft drinks firms alleging their drinks were contaminated with the cancer-causing chemical benzene above America's legal limit for drinking water.
And now... a new report comes out of Japan.
Coca-Cola began recalling more than 500,000 bottles of soft drinks in Japan on Monday, after drinks were found contaminated with iron powder.
Add to this the recent push to get junk food out of schools, and you might agree that soft drinks firms are facing a LOT of bad luck lately.
BUT, is it luck? ...or is it an example of Industry Giants' close relationships with Government bodies and lawmakers that has bred a certain lack of attention and/or concern towards the affects their products may have on public health?
Has it given Manufacturers (and their related lobby groups) a false sense of security in that they may not be taken to task for their manufacturing processes and/or products?
When you consider that 15 years ago the benzene situation was discovered and discussed by the FDA ...and an agreement made with Industry to deal with the problem/s instead of the FDA making the situation public and/or putting safety precautions and legislation in place to prevent the problem in future ...it makes me nervous to even think of the National Uniformity for Food Act being placed under their care.
And now... a new report comes out of Japan.
Coca-Cola began recalling more than 500,000 bottles of soft drinks in Japan on Monday, after drinks were found contaminated with iron powder.
Add to this the recent push to get junk food out of schools, and you might agree that soft drinks firms are facing a LOT of bad luck lately.
BUT, is it luck? ...or is it an example of Industry Giants' close relationships with Government bodies and lawmakers that has bred a certain lack of attention and/or concern towards the affects their products may have on public health?
Has it given Manufacturers (and their related lobby groups) a false sense of security in that they may not be taken to task for their manufacturing processes and/or products?
When you consider that 15 years ago the benzene situation was discovered and discussed by the FDA ...and an agreement made with Industry to deal with the problem/s instead of the FDA making the situation public and/or putting safety precautions and legislation in place to prevent the problem in future ...it makes me nervous to even think of the National Uniformity for Food Act being placed under their care.
Thursday, April 27, 2006
USA Food Fight
Just over a month after the National Uniformity for Food Act was approved by the House of Representatives, introduced on October 27th by Congressman Mike Rogers (R-MI) and Congressman Ed Towns (D-NY), opposition is flying in on all fronts ...creating one of the biggest food fights over USA food safety labelling requirements in recent years.
Supporters of the Act claim the legislation would establish a uniform national system of food safety. Opponents say the bill will dissolve State food safety protections.
Meet some of the opposition:
California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger
Senator Feinstein
Senator Barbara Boxer
Rep. Henry Waxman, D-Calif (see news quote)
National Conference of State Legislatures
Consumer's Union - the non-profit publishers of Consumer Reports magazine
SierraClub
And MANY more!
Meet some of the supporters:
Cargill
ConAgra Foods
General Mills
Grocery Manufacturers Association (GMA)
National Uniformity for Food Coalition (comprised mostly of food industry GIANTS)
Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry
And 283 Members of Congress, representing 44 states, including Califonia
One of the state laws that would be particularly affected by the National Uniformity for Food Act is California's Proposition 65, which requires that food manufacturers alert customers about the existence of cancer-causing compounds in food.
Other state laws that could be affected by the proposed bill include laws in Illinois and Pennsylvania regulating the safety of eggs; laws in California, Florida, and Louisiana requiring warning labels on shellfish; regulation for smoked fish in Wisconsin and Michigan; and laws in Maryland requiring that labels disclose if "fresh" food was previously frozen and thus should not be refrozen.
“...The legislation passed by the House would do away not only with Prop. 65, but with more than 200 food safety laws and regulations on the books in all 50 states. Overriding these stringent consumer protections gambles with the health of hundreds of thousands of Americans. I will do everything in my power to stop this legislation from passing the Senate,” said Senator Feinstein. “Any weakening of Proposition 65, or any other state or local food safety measure, could undermine the health and safety of all Americans."
So watch out, folks... we have a major food fight on our hands ...and our health and safety is at the heart of it!
Supporters of the Act claim the legislation would establish a uniform national system of food safety. Opponents say the bill will dissolve State food safety protections.
Meet some of the opposition:
California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger
Senator Feinstein
Senator Barbara Boxer
Rep. Henry Waxman, D-Calif (see news quote)
National Conference of State Legislatures
Consumer's Union - the non-profit publishers of Consumer Reports magazine
SierraClub
And MANY more!
Meet some of the supporters:
Cargill
ConAgra Foods
General Mills
Grocery Manufacturers Association (GMA)
National Uniformity for Food Coalition (comprised mostly of food industry GIANTS)
Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry
And 283 Members of Congress, representing 44 states, including Califonia
One of the state laws that would be particularly affected by the National Uniformity for Food Act is California's Proposition 65, which requires that food manufacturers alert customers about the existence of cancer-causing compounds in food.
Other state laws that could be affected by the proposed bill include laws in Illinois and Pennsylvania regulating the safety of eggs; laws in California, Florida, and Louisiana requiring warning labels on shellfish; regulation for smoked fish in Wisconsin and Michigan; and laws in Maryland requiring that labels disclose if "fresh" food was previously frozen and thus should not be refrozen.
“...The legislation passed by the House would do away not only with Prop. 65, but with more than 200 food safety laws and regulations on the books in all 50 states. Overriding these stringent consumer protections gambles with the health of hundreds of thousands of Americans. I will do everything in my power to stop this legislation from passing the Senate,” said Senator Feinstein. “Any weakening of Proposition 65, or any other state or local food safety measure, could undermine the health and safety of all Americans."
So watch out, folks... we have a major food fight on our hands ...and our health and safety is at the heart of it!
Wednesday, April 26, 2006
Obesity Diabetes Link
A 41 percent increase in diabetes in American adults from 1997 to 2003 indicates -- yes, there is a serious growing problem here.
"US researchers examining the dramatic rise in people suffering form diabetes have confirmed that obesity is a major factor in the disease. They warn that measures must be taken to prevent obesity in order to halt the growing diabetes epidemic." Source: FoodNavigator
"Among US adults aged 18–79 years, the incidence of diagnosed diabetes increased 41% from 1997 to 2003. During this period of rapid change, incidence increased at a greater rate among obese people, resulting in obesity being more prevalent among incident cases at the end of the time period than at the beginning,” said the researchers.
“Altogether, these data suggest that obesity is a large factor - although not the sole factor - in the increasing incidence of diagnosed diabetes."
"US researchers examining the dramatic rise in people suffering form diabetes have confirmed that obesity is a major factor in the disease. They warn that measures must be taken to prevent obesity in order to halt the growing diabetes epidemic." Source: FoodNavigator
"Among US adults aged 18–79 years, the incidence of diagnosed diabetes increased 41% from 1997 to 2003. During this period of rapid change, incidence increased at a greater rate among obese people, resulting in obesity being more prevalent among incident cases at the end of the time period than at the beginning,” said the researchers.
“Altogether, these data suggest that obesity is a large factor - although not the sole factor - in the increasing incidence of diagnosed diabetes."
Tuesday, April 25, 2006
Microwave Ovens and your health
Can using a microwave oven to heat or cook your food have a negative affect on your health?
It can have a tremendous negative affect on the food you heat/cook with it. Here's an excerpt from ETR...
"For openers, microwaves destroy and deplete vital nutrients. In one study published in the Journal of the Science of Food and Agriculture, broccoli microwaved with a little water lost up to 97 percent of its antioxidants, while steamed broccoli lost only 11 percent.
Microwave energy also rearranges the molecules of anything exposed to it. Swiss food scientist Dr. Hans Hertel concluded that this could alter a food's nutrients to such a degree that it could cause changes in the blood. And in his studies, he showed that eating microwaved food resulted in increased cholesterol levels, increased white blood cells (suggesting your body is fighting something it does not recognize), decreased red blood cells, and decreased hemoglobin."
Want further evidence? Take a look at what microwaved water does to plants.
One more thing: Lots of mothers put breast milk or baby formula in the microwave to warm it up. Bad idea. Warm it under tap water.
It can have a tremendous negative affect on the food you heat/cook with it. Here's an excerpt from ETR...
"For openers, microwaves destroy and deplete vital nutrients. In one study published in the Journal of the Science of Food and Agriculture, broccoli microwaved with a little water lost up to 97 percent of its antioxidants, while steamed broccoli lost only 11 percent.
Microwave energy also rearranges the molecules of anything exposed to it. Swiss food scientist Dr. Hans Hertel concluded that this could alter a food's nutrients to such a degree that it could cause changes in the blood. And in his studies, he showed that eating microwaved food resulted in increased cholesterol levels, increased white blood cells (suggesting your body is fighting something it does not recognize), decreased red blood cells, and decreased hemoglobin."
Want further evidence? Take a look at what microwaved water does to plants.
One more thing: Lots of mothers put breast milk or baby formula in the microwave to warm it up. Bad idea. Warm it under tap water.
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