One of the greatest long-term problems that health conscious individuals face is the pervasive contamination of the food supply. For decades, the FDA and other governmental agencies have allowed the multi-billion dollar food industry to grow and process its products with hundreds of questionably safe chemicals and practices. Even worse, the public is deliberately kept in the dark about many of them.
Yet, the Office of Pesticide Programs at the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) does not include the potential for multiple exposures to the same pesticide when calculating permitted residual levels of a given compound. EPA scientists have found that, at any time, if these residues were totaled, they would exceed 500 percent of the daily-allowed intake.
Furthermore, these chemicals have not been tested for human safety, and the EPA does not have a scientifically acceptable method for determining the risk for multiple exposures.
The FDA's approval of BGH was in large part due to a Monsanto Corporation (the manufacturer of BGH) study of rats that had been fed milk laced with BGH. Originally, the FDA reported no traces of BGH were found in the rat's blood, but it was later found officials from FDA never read the entire report and it was found that 20-30 percent of rats did have traces of BGH in their bloodstream and some developed thyroid cysts.
It's become difficult to avoid BGH because the FDA does not require labeling of BGH laced products. In fact, Monsanto helped sponsor federal legislation (which passed) that prevents milk producers from labeling their products as being free of BGH, even when they are.
Additives to avoid include aspartame, bromated vegetable oil, BHA and BHT, MSG, nitrites, saccharin, sulfites, and various food dyes.
Scores of companies are now using gene-splicing technology to produce never before seen genetic combinations. According to a survey of field tested crops conducted by the Union of Concerned Scientists, 93 percent of genetic changes are performed to make food productions and processing easier and more profitable, and only 7 percent are done to improve nutrients or taste.
If you have food sensitivities, your next serving of corn, soybeans or tomatoes may be a kind of Trojan horse, bringing unsuspected allergens and toxins into your body. It's even more alarming to know that there has been almost no safety testing and since the altered substances are not listed on food labels, there is no way of knowing which foods contain them.
Pesticides
Over 400 pesticides are licensed for use on America's foods, and every year over 2.5 billion pounds are dumped on croplands, forests, lawns, and fields. In a single meal, a person could easily consume residues of a dozen different neurotoxic or carcinogenic chemicals.Yet, the Office of Pesticide Programs at the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) does not include the potential for multiple exposures to the same pesticide when calculating permitted residual levels of a given compound. EPA scientists have found that, at any time, if these residues were totaled, they would exceed 500 percent of the daily-allowed intake.
Furthermore, these chemicals have not been tested for human safety, and the EPA does not have a scientifically acceptable method for determining the risk for multiple exposures.
Growth hormones
Bovine growth hormone (BGH) is a genetically engineered, synthetic version of a hormone naturally produced by cows. Its purpose is to increase a cow's milk production by as much as 25 percent. It is estimated that BGH is injected into 30 percent of all milk-producing cows.The FDA's approval of BGH was in large part due to a Monsanto Corporation (the manufacturer of BGH) study of rats that had been fed milk laced with BGH. Originally, the FDA reported no traces of BGH were found in the rat's blood, but it was later found officials from FDA never read the entire report and it was found that 20-30 percent of rats did have traces of BGH in their bloodstream and some developed thyroid cysts.
It's become difficult to avoid BGH because the FDA does not require labeling of BGH laced products. In fact, Monsanto helped sponsor federal legislation (which passed) that prevents milk producers from labeling their products as being free of BGH, even when they are.
Additives
Approximately 2000 food additives - artificial colors and flavors, stabilizing agents, texturizers, sweeteners, and antimicrobials are permitted in America's food supply. Studies show that some additives may be carcinogenic, such as various food dyes, including Yellow Dye No. 5, which is found in breakfast cereals, soft drinks, ice cream, candy, bakery products, and pasta.Additives to avoid include aspartame, bromated vegetable oil, BHA and BHT, MSG, nitrites, saccharin, sulfites, and various food dyes.
GMOs
The proliferation of genetically modified organisms is another example of the devastating effects agribusiness has had on our food supply. These foods break down the fundamental genetic barriers and permanently alter the genetic code of the plant by combining them with the genes of dissimilar and unrelated species.Scores of companies are now using gene-splicing technology to produce never before seen genetic combinations. According to a survey of field tested crops conducted by the Union of Concerned Scientists, 93 percent of genetic changes are performed to make food productions and processing easier and more profitable, and only 7 percent are done to improve nutrients or taste.
If you have food sensitivities, your next serving of corn, soybeans or tomatoes may be a kind of Trojan horse, bringing unsuspected allergens and toxins into your body. It's even more alarming to know that there has been almost no safety testing and since the altered substances are not listed on food labels, there is no way of knowing which foods contain them.