Mercury Found in Corn Syrup

Almost half of tested samples of commercial high-fructose corn syrup (HFCS) contained mercury, which was also found in nearly a third of 55 popular brand-name food and beverage products where HFCS is the first- or second-highest labeled ingredient, according to two new U.S. studies.

HFCS has replaced sugar as the sweetener in many beverages and foods such as breads, cereals, breakfast bars, lunch meats, yogurts, soups and condiments. On average, Americans consume about 12 teaspoons per day of HFCS, but teens and other high consumers can take in 80 percent more HFCS than average.

"Mercury is toxic in all its forms. Given how much high-fructose corn syrup is consumed by children, it could be a significant additional source of mercury never before considered. We are calling for immediate changes by industry and the [U.S. Food and Drug Administration] to help stop this avoidable mercury contamination of the food supply," said the Institute for Agriculture and Trade Policy's Dr. David Wallinga, a co-author of both studies.

Source: Washington Post

Delhi, India to Ban Plastic Bags

New Delhi has banned the use of plastic bags in all shops, starting very soon. Notification has been sent out to all shopkeepers, and they are being given 10 to 12 days to fall into line. After that, traders will have to pay a penalty or spend five years in prison (what!). That's the new law that the Delhi government says it is ready to enforce. Civil servants said that punitive measures were needed after another law prohibiting plastic bags was ignored. However they do accept that the new ban will have to be implemented slowly.

Source: Treehugger.com

FDA to Reconsider Plastic Bottle Risk

What are they thinking????



"WEEKS after its own advisory board accused the Food and Drug Administration of failing to adequately consider research about the dangers of bisphenol-A, found in many plastic baby bottles, plastic food containers and metal can linings, the agency has agreed to reconsider the issue.

The F.D.A.’s draft risk assessment in August, finding the chemical safe as it is now used, stood out against a tide of recent scientific opinion. The National Toxicology Program, part of the Department of Health and Human Services, has said there was reason to be concerned that BPA, as the chemical is called, could harm the brain, behavior and the prostate gland in fetuses, infants and children. Canada added the chemical to its list of toxic substances this year and has said it will ban BPA from polycarbonate baby bottles.

In September, a study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association found that adults with high levels of BPA in their urine were more prone to heart and liver disease and diabetes."

For more on the article see EWG link below:

NYT: F.D.A. to Reconsider Plastic Bottle Risk | Environmental Working Group

California To Residents: Don't Flush Your Meds Into Our Rivers

The state of California has a warning for its 36 million residents: Do not flush pharmaceuticals down the toilet or drain, or they may end up in a river near you.

Or, it turns out, even in the drinking water.

State and local officials are teaming with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency for a "No Drugs Down the Drain Week," starting with events Oct. 2. The program recommends that drugs be dropped at special collection sites or tossed in the trash.

California To Residents: Don't Flush Your Meds Into Our Rivers

Organic food to be cheaper than other produce - Telegraph

This is exciting, I would love to see the prices of organic food drop! Organic food to be cheaper than other produce - Telegraph

Picking strawberries at the farm

Right now, strawberries are a win-win fruit. They're in season, they're bursting with sweetness, and they're low-cal. One way to jump-start eating healthier and more pleasurably, while burning fewer fossil fuels: Pick your own. Buying from a local farm eliminates the carbon costs totted up in "food miles," the distance food is trucked or flown from farm to plate. Locally grown produce travels an average 56 miles from farm to institutional markets, while conventional produce travels an average 1,454 miles, or almost 27 times as far, according to a study by the Iowa State University Leopold Institute for Sustainable Agriculture. When you go to the farm, you're getting the fruit at its freshest; while it's true that you've travelled, and not the food, well...you've still supported a local farmer, which strengthens the local food system.

Another reason: Strawberries are among the most pesticided crops, according to the Environmental Working Group (EWG); in their 2003 produce study, 90% of strawberries tested had residues of 36 different pesticides, including nervous-system-damaging organophosphates. EWG advises that, particularly if you have young children, you choose organic rather than conventional strawberries.

The same would go for picking, of course; you wouldn't want your kids exposed to pesticides in the strawberry rows. If you can't find a certified organic local grower, ask the farmer if they avoid or reduce pesticides. Some may be in transitional organic mode, others may practice integrated pest management (IPM), which uses pesticides only as a last resort. To find farms nearest you, go to PickYourOwn.org, and look for the word ORGANIC next to the names.

If you've got children, whether they're toddlers or teenagers, picking strawberries is a great activity for family bonding and burning off steam. Pick bushels, make shortcake and pies, and start putting up preserves.

Picking strawberries at the farm — Plenty Magazine

Things You Should Never buy

I'm always finding ways to be more "green" in my daily life. When I see Styrofoam take-away containers at food-joints, it just irks me.

Here's a great list of eco-sin items that we all should never buy.

Things You Should Never buy - Greenopolis.com

What's In Season - December

Local seasonal foods are tastier, fresher and more nutritious.
Why? It’s because the produce has been harvested in the last fews days and has only travelled a short distance to market. This means less packaging, processing and refrigeration. All good for the environment (no flying in food from all corners of the planet)and your health.

Here is a list of fruits and veggies that are in season for December:

• Apples
• Brussels sprouts
• Chicory
• Cranberries
• Dates
• Grapefruit
• Greens (cooking)
• Kumquats
• Leeks
• Oranges
• Parsnips
• Pears
• Persimmons
• Pomegranates
• Shallots
• Star fruit
• Sweet potatoes
• Tangelos
• Tangerines
• Winter squash

Great all year:

• Avocados
• Bananas
• Broccoli
• Cabbage
• Carrots
• Cauliflower
• Celery
• Garlic
• Ginger
• Kiwifruit
• Lemons
• Limes
• Mushrooms
• Onions
• Pineapple
• Potatoes
• Radishes
• Scallions
• Snow Peas
• Spinach
• Sprouts

Note: If you live in and area with favorable growing conditions, many of these vegetables are available to you throughout the seasons.

What's In Season - November

Local seasonal foods are tastier, fresher and more nutritious.
Why? It’s because the produce has been harvested in the last fews days and has only travelled a short distance to market. This means less packaging, processing and refrigeration. All good for the environment (no flying in food from all corners of the planet)and your health.

Here is a list of fruits and veggies that are in season for November:

• Apples
• Bell peppers
• Brussels sprouts
• Chicory
• Cranberries
• Dates
• Grapes
• Greens (cooking)
• Kumquats
• Leeks
• Lettuce (leaf and head)
• Okra
• Parsnips
• Pears
• Persimmons
• Pomegranates
• Pumpkins
• Shallots
• Star fruit
• Sweet potatoes
• Tangelos
• Tangerines
• Turnips
• Watercress
• Winter squash

Great all year:

• Avocados
• Bananas
• Broccoli
• Cabbage
• Carrots
• Cauliflower
• Celery
• Garlic
• Ginger
• Kiwifruit
• Lemons
• Limes
• Mushrooms
• Onions
• Pineapple
• Potatoes
• Radishes
• Scallions
• Snow Peas
• Spinach
• Sprouts

Note: If you live in and area with favorable growing conditions, many of these vegetables are available to you throughout the seasons.

What's In Season - October

Local seasonal foods are tastier, fresher and more nutritious.
Why? It’s because the produce has been harvested in the last fews days and has only travelled a short distance to market. This means less packaging, processing and refrigeration. All good for the environment (no flying in food from all corners of the planet)and your health.

Here is a list of fruits and veggies that are in season for October:

• Apples
• Beets
• Brussels sprouts
• Chicory
• Cranberries
• Dates
• Figs
• Grapes
• Kumquats
• Leeks
• Lettuce (leaf and head)
• Okra
• Oranges
• Parsnips
• Pears
• Peppers
• Persimmons
• Pomegranates
• Pumpkins
• Raspberries
• Shallots
• Star fruit
• Turnips
• Watercress
• Winter squash

Great all year:

• Avocados
• Bananas
• Broccoli
• Cabbage
• Carrots
• Cauliflower
• Celery
• Garlic
• Ginger
• Kiwifruit
• Lemons
• Limes
• Mushrooms
• Onions
• Pineapple
• Potatoes
• Radishes
• Scallions
• Snow Peas
• Spinach
• Sprouts

Note: If you live in and area with favorable growing conditions, many of these vegetables are available to you throughout the seasons.