Posts
Friday, September 28, 2012
Thursday, September 27, 2012
GMO labeling - it shouldn't be a question!
Fishy Strawberries, Super-Salmon? What’s in Your Food?
A call for consumers to demand labeling for GMO in foods in Canada
 |
| (Image from"The bad food news of 2011) |
by Moonfyre Cardinal
Nov 15, 2010
Do you know much about Genetically Modified foods? Do you
currently eat food products made with GMO’s?
Would you like to know what you are eating and if your strawberries have
been combined with a fish gene to make the fruit more frost tolerant?
Genetically modified food ingredients are available for consumption to
unknowing Canadians because labelling is not mandatory and, without mandatory
labeling requirements, producers are choosing not to volunteer GMO information
in their products leaving us unable to determine if the strawberry we are
eating has been genetically engineered. Why are Canadians not being given the
right to know what foods contain genetically modified ingredients by our Government?
Our Bill of rights states that we have the “Fundamental Freedom of thought,
belief and opinion” (Government of Canada). How can we exercise
this right if crucial information is withheld at the source? In 2005, when 83 % of Canadians were in
favour of mandatory labeling, our government defeated the passage of a bill
that would have implemented mandatory labeling. (Carter).
There are negative implications in regards to the effect of genetic modified
food ingredients in regards to the environment, our health and to future
generations yet we able to eat GM ingredients in our food before these
questions have been answered.
Genetically Modified Organisms and genetic engineering has a
number of contentious issues surrounding it, not the least of which is their
potential impact to the environment. As
more genetically engineered crops are being planted, the potential for cross
contamination is no longer a ‘what-if’ situation. GM crops have been proven to
cross pollinate with non GM crops, endangering native plant species. The U.S.
Department of Energy Genome Programs suggest that this can contribute to the
loss of biodiversity and that it has “unknown effects on other organisms” (U.S. Department of Energy Genome Programs). Other environment
effects include a decrease in the effectiveness of current pesticides and herbicides
through increased resistance and cross pollination (Whitman). However, it is not
only plant products that are being genetically modified, recently GM Salmon was
presented to the American Food and Drug Agency for approval for sale and public
consumption. The decision by the FDA was
stalled due to controversy surrounding its safety (Leo Broderick). With the genetic modification of
animals for food comes a host of concerns and controversies such as the
potential environmental impact on non-GM animals. In the case of the GM Salmon, a frightening
fact is that without mandatory labeling, we as consumers would never know it
was not the same as its non-GM cousin.
While it may seem like the GMO argument may seem like it is
the stuff out of science fiction, the presence of genetically modified
organisms in Canada’s food supply is much wider spread than one might realize. For
example “in Canada, up to 70 per cent of the processed
foods found in grocery stores contain GE ingredients” (GreenPeace). Most of these products have no indication on their labels
that they contain genetically modified ingredients. The Centre for Food Safety in the United
reported that thousands of food items are available to American consumers that
contain genetically modified ingredients without any labeling, even though
there are concerns from doctors and scientists about the safety of these foods
to health and the environment (The Center for Food Safety). When the bill
proposing mandatory labeling was denied, MPs quoted misinformation about GMO’s
gathered from corporately sponsored associations ,with an active stake in the
debate to justify their decision to vote against what the majority of their
constitutes demanded. It was claimed
that implementing a mandatory labeling law would cast too much money and would
harm the agricultural industry in Canada (Carter).
Interestingly; the European Union and the Australian Government both have had
strict laws governing the use of GMO’s and mandatory labeling on food items due
to potential safety concerns and health hazards. For instance “the law in
Australia requires that food labels must show if food has been genetically
modified or contains genetically modified ingredients, or whether GM additives
or processing aids remain[…]” (Deakin University Australia). If these governments were able to implement mandatory
labelling without such appalling results as claimed by the MP’s who voted
against mandatory labeling then surely Canada should be able to do the same. The
Canada Food Inspection Agency does have a provision in the laws that govern
Organic foods, that says if a product is labeled “organic” it cannot contain
GMO’s (Government of Canada) but that is the
extent of our ability to determine the presence of GM ingredients when it comes
to labelling. As this suggests if you
cannot afford to buy organic or do not wish to, you have no way of knowing if
you are buying genetically modified foods.
According to experts in the field there
is not a lot of definitive research done on the long term impact of GMO’s on
our environment or our health. However, it is clearly indicated through all the
available research is that there is concern expressed by world governments,
health professionals and environmental experts about the potential impact and
the lack of long term testing prior to GM foods being added to the market. Arpad Pusztai, a pioneer in the research of
the effect of GMO’s on health states,
How can the public make informed
decisions about genetically modified (GM) foods when there is so little information
about its safety? The lack of data is due to a number of reasons, including: […
]Information is scarce about health hazards, such as toxicity in genetically
modified (GM) crops., It’s more difficult to evaluate the safety of
crop-derived foods than individual chemical, drug, or food additives. [… and] Publications
on GM food toxicity are scarce […] In fact, no peer-reviewed publications of
clinical studies on the human health effects of GM food exist. Even animal
studies are few and far between. In conclusion: We need more and better testing
methods before making GM foods available for human consumption.” (Pusztai)
Some
documented health risks include cases of severe allergic reaction which have
been reported after people ate genetically modified soy and corn that was
originally intended for animal feed but somehow made it into the human food
supply chain. Other health issues that may be of concern include the transfer
of antibiotic markers and toxicity over long term exposure. In an often
referenced study of genetically engineered tomatoes that were fed to lab rats,
seven out of forty rats died due to stomache lesions that were contributed to
the genetically modified tomatoes. With
all the concern, potential and documented health issues and lack of long term
study, the consensus in the global scientific community is that more study is
necessary before we can safely and confidently conclude that GMO’s are not
dangerous to our health.
My position on the issue of GMO’s is not to argue whether or
not they are safe for human consumption since there is not enough data to determine
a conclusion at this point. Rather, I believe we, as consumers, need to have
the ability to choose whether or not we wish to eat food products made with
genetically modified ingredients. Labelling needs to be mandatory just as it is
for other common food additives. The Canada Food Inspection Agency says “ […] the components which, if present, must be declared as if they were
ingredients include salt, monosodium glutamate, hydrolyzed plant protein,
aspartame, potassium chloride and any components which perform a function in,
or have an effect on the final food” (Government of Canada). If these items are deemed important enough to be listed on our
food labels, surely GMO’s with untested risks to health and environment should
be included in this list, thereby, giving the consumer the chance to make an
informed decision.
I urge you to do your own research and come to your own conclusions about whether you wish to eat genetically modified foods. Until we can convince the Canadian Government that we have the right to choose what we put into our bodies there are things we can do. For instance, a number of organizations such as Greenpeace, have published guidebooks about how to avoid GMO products. Unfortunately it is not an exhaustive list, nor is it all that current. If you wish to avoid GMO’s A good rule of thumb is to stick to certified organic food sources since the labelling laws in Canada state that Organic labeled foods cannot contain genetically modified material. I believe in our right to know what is in the food we eat and have written my MP to demand action on this issue. You, too, can write your MP, create a petition or even call your MP’s office if you also believe as I do that we should have the ability to freely choose by having genetically modified ingredients stated on food labels.
I urge you to do your own research and come to your own conclusions about whether you wish to eat genetically modified foods. Until we can convince the Canadian Government that we have the right to choose what we put into our bodies there are things we can do. For instance, a number of organizations such as Greenpeace, have published guidebooks about how to avoid GMO products. Unfortunately it is not an exhaustive list, nor is it all that current. If you wish to avoid GMO’s A good rule of thumb is to stick to certified organic food sources since the labelling laws in Canada state that Organic labeled foods cannot contain genetically modified material. I believe in our right to know what is in the food we eat and have written my MP to demand action on this issue. You, too, can write your MP, create a petition or even call your MP’s office if you also believe as I do that we should have the ability to freely choose by having genetically modified ingredients stated on food labels.
Bibliography
Carter, Lauren. "Bill on Labelling
GMOs in Canada Voted Down." 9 May 2008. Celcias. 27 October 2010
.
Cook, Christopher D. "Agricultural
Apocalypse." Cook, Christopher D. Diet
for a Dead Planet. New York: The New York Press, 2004. 7-9.
Deakin University Australia. Genetically Modified Food. February
2010. 27 October 2010 .
Fukuda-Parr, Sakiko. "Introduction:
Genetically Modified Crops and Development Priorities." The Gene Revolution, GM Crops and Unequal
Development. Ed. Sakiko Fuluda-Parr. London: EarthScan, 2007. 4-6,9-12.
Government of
Canada. "Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms." 29 March 1982. Department of Justice. 27
October 2010
.
Government of
Canada. "Chapter 2 - Basic Labelling Requirements." 15 September
2010. Canada Food Inspection Agency.
27 October 2010
.
GreenPeace.
"GMO Shopper's Guide." n.d. GreenPeace.
27 October 2010 .
Leo Broderick, Dr. Michael Hansen, Lucy
Sharratt. "Press Release- Critics slam “Sloppy Science” on GE Fish at FDA
Hearings." 20 Sept 2008. CBAN-
Canadian Biotechnology Action Network. 27 Oct 2010 .
Pusztai, Arpad. Genetically Modified Foods: Are They a Risk to Human/Animal Health? June
2001. 27 October 2010
.
Smith, Jeffery M. Seeds of Deception, Eposing Industry and Government Lies About the
Safety of The Genetically Engineered Foods You're Eating. Fairfeild: Yes!
Books, 2003.
The Center for Food Safety. The Centre for Food Safety. 2008. 27
October 2010 .
The
GMO Trilogy: Unnatural Selection, Hidden Danger Kids' Meals, You're Eating
What? DENKmal-films &
Haifisch films, Yes! Books. 2004, 2005.
Tiberghien, Yves. "Europe; Turning
Against Agricultural Biotechnology in the Late 1990's." The Gene Revolution, GM Crops and Unequal
Development. Ed. Sakiko Fukuda-Parr. London: Earthscan, 2007. 51-65.
U.S. Department
of Energy Genome Programs. Genetically
Modified Foods and Organisms. 5 November 2008. 27 October 2010
.
Whitman, Deborah B. Discovery guides:Genetically Modified Foods: Harmful or Helpful?
April 2000. 27 Octobber 2010.
Sticking to our convictions
We have an ant problem, a big one, our whole front yard is seriously infested with the little buggers. Last year they were bad and we tried every natural solution we could find to no avail. This year they are worse. We are committed to not using chemical pesticides, herbicides or fetilizers; we believe they are not only bad for our planet but that they are ultimately bad for us, they get into our food chain and wreak havoc.
Today, I had a conversation today that challenged my conviction to avoid the use of pesticides. I called a pest control company that advertises 'eco-friendly' pest control. I thought maybe they had a natural solution that I hadn't heard of. It all sounded good until I asked what they use to kill the ants... a Chemical.. called Dragnet. The lady on the phone says that is " is safe after 4 hours but children and pets shouldn't be around it until it dries" huh?! how is that ecological. "it's plant friendly" she says on the phone.
I want to get rid of my ants, I don't want a chemical sprayed in my yard that in turn will get into our soil and then into our food that I grow here. Do I ignore our convictions and say, its only the front flower bed where we only grow flowers? that would be the easy way out, I found myself considering it ... briefly.... % yrs ago I wouldn't have though twice about it. Today it strikes me as test of my convictions and my commitment to our green lifestyle.
I have to admit that I quickly decided this wasn't an option for me, but oh for that brief moment I almost wished it was an option I could choose. TO have an easy, quick solution to the ants swarming my front yard seems divine. I just can't embrace the price it costs to opt into that solution. IF I want to live green, it has to be all the time, not just when its convenient, or 'stylish'. I resigned myself to searching up more natural solutions online and trying them again.
The whole exercise brought to mind other challenges we have faced along our journey, the foods we loved but no longer eat because they contain MSG or some other unsavory additive. The convenience of prepared foods left on the wayside because so few of them are healthy and additive free. The price of good wholesome organic food sometimes seems too high... the temptation to give and and just buy the inexpensive, the favorite msg laden snacks and hire the chemical weilding pest control company is sometimes
We have never felt better and are happy to be leading lives we feel are but sometimes it sure would be nice to find real food easier, to have cleaning options that work and to be free of pests in the garden! hrh
Today, I had a conversation today that challenged my conviction to avoid the use of pesticides. I called a pest control company that advertises 'eco-friendly' pest control. I thought maybe they had a natural solution that I hadn't heard of. It all sounded good until I asked what they use to kill the ants... a Chemical.. called Dragnet. The lady on the phone says that is " is safe after 4 hours but children and pets shouldn't be around it until it dries" huh?! how is that ecological. "it's plant friendly" she says on the phone.
I want to get rid of my ants, I don't want a chemical sprayed in my yard that in turn will get into our soil and then into our food that I grow here. Do I ignore our convictions and say, its only the front flower bed where we only grow flowers? that would be the easy way out, I found myself considering it ... briefly.... % yrs ago I wouldn't have though twice about it. Today it strikes me as test of my convictions and my commitment to our green lifestyle.
I have to admit that I quickly decided this wasn't an option for me, but oh for that brief moment I almost wished it was an option I could choose. TO have an easy, quick solution to the ants swarming my front yard seems divine. I just can't embrace the price it costs to opt into that solution. IF I want to live green, it has to be all the time, not just when its convenient, or 'stylish'. I resigned myself to searching up more natural solutions online and trying them again.
The whole exercise brought to mind other challenges we have faced along our journey, the foods we loved but no longer eat because they contain MSG or some other unsavory additive. The convenience of prepared foods left on the wayside because so few of them are healthy and additive free. The price of good wholesome organic food sometimes seems too high... the temptation to give and and just buy the inexpensive, the favorite msg laden snacks and hire the chemical weilding pest control company is sometimes
We have never felt better and are happy to be leading lives we feel are but sometimes it sure would be nice to find real food easier, to have cleaning options that work and to be free of pests in the garden! hrh
Friday, January 27, 2012
Kitchen Planning!
We are renovating our kitchen starting next month, so last night I looked at all our ideas we have been collecting and drew up the plans... the for real ones. *wow* I am so excited about having a more functional kitchen I can hardly believe that after all this planning we are finally getting going on it!
There are so many things to consider - like having a proofing drawer for raising bread - would LOVE one of those in the new kitchen, and an island for rolling out dough and other large food preparation.... and finding the right stove - right now I have my heart set on a 48 inch dual oven, 6 burner + a grill gas stove... (swoon), I love the Liebherr fridges... but they are pretty expensive - not sure w can justify the money at this point. Which leaves us wondering what do you choose as an interim appliance after looking at the top of the line?
Then there is the whole space management thing - making sure there is room for all the 'occaisional' appliance storage, room to move around comfortable with 3 cooks in there at a time sometimes, making sure the kitchen can grow with our small children, as it is also craft and creative expression central for them - and will be until they are at leat 12. Hell, even though we have a craft and sewing room, my 21 year old daughter and I turned the family room and kitchen into creative textile remodeling central just recently ourselves...
In our home, the kitchen really is the heart, so while I am super excited to get started - I want to make sure I have considered all the important elements and that I don't overlook anything in my excitement. We also want to keep in mind our commitment to enviornmental responsibility, and if there are ways to make the kitchen a more green space at the end of the reno. Things like a better place for the compost pail than on the counter or under the sink.... other waster management, and "green" energy management
This is the first kitchen we will completely gut and re-do, other kitchen renovations in past houses have always been facelifts only.... Off to look at cabinets - again, and to see what fits into our design specs now that we have more or less finalized it!
If you have ideas to share, please! share!
below is a rough sketch of the plan so far
There are so many things to consider - like having a proofing drawer for raising bread - would LOVE one of those in the new kitchen, and an island for rolling out dough and other large food preparation.... and finding the right stove - right now I have my heart set on a 48 inch dual oven, 6 burner + a grill gas stove... (swoon), I love the Liebherr fridges... but they are pretty expensive - not sure w can justify the money at this point. Which leaves us wondering what do you choose as an interim appliance after looking at the top of the line?
Then there is the whole space management thing - making sure there is room for all the 'occaisional' appliance storage, room to move around comfortable with 3 cooks in there at a time sometimes, making sure the kitchen can grow with our small children, as it is also craft and creative expression central for them - and will be until they are at leat 12. Hell, even though we have a craft and sewing room, my 21 year old daughter and I turned the family room and kitchen into creative textile remodeling central just recently ourselves...
In our home, the kitchen really is the heart, so while I am super excited to get started - I want to make sure I have considered all the important elements and that I don't overlook anything in my excitement. We also want to keep in mind our commitment to enviornmental responsibility, and if there are ways to make the kitchen a more green space at the end of the reno. Things like a better place for the compost pail than on the counter or under the sink.... other waster management, and "green" energy management
This is the first kitchen we will completely gut and re-do, other kitchen renovations in past houses have always been facelifts only.... Off to look at cabinets - again, and to see what fits into our design specs now that we have more or less finalized it!
If you have ideas to share, please! share!
below is a rough sketch of the plan so far
Saturday, January 21, 2012
Happiness is a full pantry
This week was a cold one! Perfect for making soup and canning it! There is a simple joy in making something that you know you can just open up and enjoy at some point int he future with no deep involved planning or work! It also got me to to thinkikng I still want to research how to process our canning efforts so they can be available for sale so other families can have the joy of a can of soup without all the perservatives and subpar ingredients. On one hand it seems so easy and on the other its such a monumental task to consider. I am used to cooking for the family - not for commerical preparation ! I don't have a clue what is involved with all that, and yet, it is a passion of mine ( and my daughters' ) to provide real food for people.. especially families with growing children.... So the research has begun - and we will muddle through understanding what is involved to take our humble home cannning to a retail ready product, without losing quality!
This week we made and canned condensed potato w/bacon soup, chili, wild mushroom soup (condensed) and split pea w/ farmer's sausage soup... a batch of bread, some bannock .... and it was ALL incredibly delicious! ( and made the house feel and smell warm and welcoming from the cold outside)
This week we made and canned condensed potato w/bacon soup, chili, wild mushroom soup (condensed) and split pea w/ farmer's sausage soup... a batch of bread, some bannock .... and it was ALL incredibly delicious! ( and made the house feel and smell warm and welcoming from the cold outside)
Friday, December 23, 2011
seasons greetings
I really have negleccted this blog over the last 6 months or so, not because I don't have recipes to share or shops to recommend, or things to say... mostly because I keep forgetting about it! I have some catching up to do, and hopefully I will get some of it done over the holiday season.
A fellow blogger shared this link - looks like a great book to order!Food in Jars cookbook
I have recently re-discovered my love of canning and preserves. I do small batch canning - which basically means I can 6 to 12 jars of something ( soup, stew, spagetti, gravy, etc etc) on a regular basis. This fall I was doing a batch of preserves up once a week an it worked out great for having a variety of ready to eat meals available for the family. I also offered our friends a trade of ingredients for finished products - to help cut the cost for everyone and share the deliciousness of fresh canned goods.
This last month though I haven't gotten anything actually INTO the jars - my family eats it all up with nothing left to can! I will get back to the canning next month, any one who wants to get in on sharing the costs and the bounty, feel free to get in touch.
I love the immediacy of a can of soup or stew in the cupboard, and I am delighted that I know exactly what went into each item when I do it myself. I can offer my family the convience of canned, prepared food, without the mystery of store bought 'cans'. I also find that the food gets eaten more, enjoyed more and is easier to re-heat in a hurry than freezing in similar serving sizes did.
I started making extra large batches of gravy when we would have roast beef or chicken and when we did a turkey, then I canned the left over gravy. It has turned out to be FABULOUS to have that extra bit of gravy on hand when done a meal up quickly.
My oldest daughters and I have been working on compiling recipes for a family cook book, if I can find a decent interface to upload it online, I will happily share.
A fellow blogger shared this link - looks like a great book to order!Food in Jars cookbook
I have recently re-discovered my love of canning and preserves. I do small batch canning - which basically means I can 6 to 12 jars of something ( soup, stew, spagetti, gravy, etc etc) on a regular basis. This fall I was doing a batch of preserves up once a week an it worked out great for having a variety of ready to eat meals available for the family. I also offered our friends a trade of ingredients for finished products - to help cut the cost for everyone and share the deliciousness of fresh canned goods.
This last month though I haven't gotten anything actually INTO the jars - my family eats it all up with nothing left to can! I will get back to the canning next month, any one who wants to get in on sharing the costs and the bounty, feel free to get in touch.
I love the immediacy of a can of soup or stew in the cupboard, and I am delighted that I know exactly what went into each item when I do it myself. I can offer my family the convience of canned, prepared food, without the mystery of store bought 'cans'. I also find that the food gets eaten more, enjoyed more and is easier to re-heat in a hurry than freezing in similar serving sizes did.
I started making extra large batches of gravy when we would have roast beef or chicken and when we did a turkey, then I canned the left over gravy. It has turned out to be FABULOUS to have that extra bit of gravy on hand when done a meal up quickly.
My oldest daughters and I have been working on compiling recipes for a family cook book, if I can find a decent interface to upload it online, I will happily share.
Monday, February 7, 2011
Alberta Regional Cuisine Sourcing Directory
(a website my daughter shared with me- thanks Amanda!)
Alberta Regional Cuisine Sourcing Directory
This directory give Chefs or their product buyers and the public a source for purchasing a wide range of Alberta grown ingredients and/or value-added products. It is up-dated annually as part of the Dine Alberta project. The Dine Alberta team is proud of the diversity and quality of the ranchers, farmers, producers, bee keepers, processors and distributors that are part of the program!
Regional cuisine advocates the usage of quality locally grown ingredients, in union with the culture, geography, and history of Alberta. The Dine Alberta: Savour the Regional Flavour project is a stimulating way to showcase local agriculture products, family owned farms, and value added processing. In doing so it brings together producers, processors, distributors, restaurants, chefs, media and, most importantly, consumers.
continue reading at... http://www.agric.gov.ab.ca/app68/dinealberta
Alberta Regional Cuisine Sourcing Directory
This directory give Chefs or their product buyers and the public a source for purchasing a wide range of Alberta grown ingredients and/or value-added products. It is up-dated annually as part of the Dine Alberta project. The Dine Alberta team is proud of the diversity and quality of the ranchers, farmers, producers, bee keepers, processors and distributors that are part of the program!
Regional cuisine advocates the usage of quality locally grown ingredients, in union with the culture, geography, and history of Alberta. The Dine Alberta: Savour the Regional Flavour project is a stimulating way to showcase local agriculture products, family owned farms, and value added processing. In doing so it brings together producers, processors, distributors, restaurants, chefs, media and, most importantly, consumers.
continue reading at... http://www.agric.gov.ab.ca/app68/dinealberta
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