DEAR DR. FOX: Thank you for your article on chlorpyrifos. How do we know if the farmers who grow our food use this toxic pesticide?
I buy locally from farmers markets, and will ask them. But what about produce in grocery stores? If the food is in the organic section of the market, does that guarantee that chlorpyrifos wasn’t used? Does the law require a label to indicate the use of chlorpyrifos? -- C.M., Naples, Florida
DEAR C.M.: It is a regrettable fact that our regulatory state and federal agencies, such as the Food and Drug Administration and the U.S. Department of Agriculture, generally put corporate interests before those of the public and the environment. The notion of “public servants” needs to be revised: corporate shills, more like!
It was a long battle to get the USDA to agree to the organic certification standards proposed by environmental advocates. These initial regulations, to which I contributed, included humane standards for farmed animals. But the rules were later changed significantly, and now some organically certified items, especially dairy products, come from animals that were given organically certified feed but kept in inhumane factory farms.
Even if farmed animals are being raised more humanely, there are the issues of suffering associated with transportation, slaughter and separation of mothers from offspring. And that is still setting aside the environmental impact of raising animals for food, which is best reduced by all people becoming vegan or vegetarian.
In the marketplace, you will see the USDA’s green and white circle symbol (“USDA ORGANIC”), which means that the product meets USDA organic production standards. This is often coupled with another label that reads, “NON GMO Project VERIFIED.” This means that the product contains no (or very little -- less than 1%) genetically engineered materials. Some processed foods and prepared meals may bear the USDA ORGANIC logo, but that may only refer to some of the ingredients. Quite devious. Best to prepare from scratch!
I always look for "country of origin" labeling, though this is not always provided. If not, you may want to ask the grocery store manager where certain products have come from. It is always best to buy local, if possible: Consider the carbon footprint of transporting the food, the possibility of spoilage along the way and the unknown food safety practices of a company in a foreign country.
It is costly for small, local producers to get organic certification. Verbal assurances from local, non-certified farmers may be OK; buy on trust. At least the produce is fresh and has not been shipped a long distance.
PROTECTION NEEDED FOR IMPERILED BUTTERFLY
DEAR READERS: Please see this news release from the Center for Food Safety, posted April 2 on centerforfoodsafety.org.
"The Center for Food Safety (CFS) announced plans to sue the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) for violating the Endangered Species Act (ESA) by continuing to ignore the imperiled Iowa skipper butterfly’s imminent risk of extinction. The Iowa skipper, a bright yellow-orange butterfly, is being driven to the brink of extinction primarily due to industrial agriculture's continued habitat destruction and use of toxic pesticides. ...
"'Pollinators, including the Iowa skipper butterfly, are critical to public and environmental health. Trading their extinction to pad pesticide companies' profits is incredibly irresponsible and unlawful. We urge the Biden administration to act to protect this iconic butterfly without further delay,' said George Kimbrell, co-executive director and legal director at CFS."
BOOK REVIEW: 'THE EMOTIONAL LIVES OF ANIMALS'
This revised and updated edition of Dr. Marc Bekoff's 2007 book is an impassioned, well-documented volume. Its many insightful anecdotes open us to the emotional lives of animals. Bekoff does not miss the opportunity to speak for animals' well-being, rights and protection in his coverage of their mistreatment around the world.
All who care about animals will appreciate this book's insights. I especially recommend it for high school and college students taking courses in civics, ethics and biology.
I fully agree with the author’s closing statement: “By allowing ourselves to emotionally connect with all life, we can make life better for everyone -- a win-win for all. We must never forget this.” His spirit of optimism will lift many out of the despair and self-doubt of helplessness. We can all do something!
(Send all mail to animaldocfox@gmail.com or to Dr. Michael Fox in care of Andrews McMeel Syndication, 1130 Walnut St., Kansas City, MO 64106. The volume of mail received prohibits personal replies, but questions and comments of general interest will be discussed in future columns.
Visit Dr. Fox’s website at DrFoxOneHealth.com.)