Comments on: House Passes food-labeling bill

By: Susan Anneliese

Susan Anneliese — Sun, 19 Nov 2006 10:37:43 +0000

We have a "Farmers Market" in our community on Saturdays in the summer and
the Vegetables and fruit there are a million times better than Grocery Store
Purchased food. If you live in a suburb you probably have one also.

Alison

Keith, I agree. And even then, you can never be sure . . . we have neighbors
who own a chicken farm and unbeknownst to us, they were illegally disposing
of dead chickens and other by-products of this type of business and the
bacteria was leaching into the local groundwater until someone called the
EPA. It was a mess! We were all informed that if we drank well water (we
don’t, thank god!) or if we grew our own food (we do to some degree), that
we needed to have a soil test done, etc. I destroyed a lot of very hard work
(canned vegetables) out of fear and concern. Now, I have a different method
of growing my foods, and they are well protected from tainted soil. I’m also

a former Master Gardener Volunteer for our county, and I took this
opportunity to put to good use some other growing methods that work better
for me. I also use a small hot house to grow my herbs in so that they are
not exposed to airborne contamination. It’s sad when you distrust the common
food sources with good
reason, and sadder when you cannot trust your own garden because others are
not environmentally responsible. I’m no tree hugger, but I’m beginning to
think we all need to make a large step in that direction! I’ve also read
that in California, certified organic farmers were furious when neighboring
farms non-organic corn and other plant material was found to be
cross-pollinating theirs, thereby tainting it and rendering it non-organic.
But what to do? You cannot stop the wind from blowing . . .

I surmise that I am taking as many precautions as I can, and the rest is a
natural byproduct of my environment that I cannot change readily. It’s just
too bad that large corporations are not into organics. If we all try to
support our local farmers more, it might drive the industry in that
direction. Rosemary Gladstar, reknown herbalist & author, gave the
suggestion that "eating with the seasons" was an excellent way to tune our
bodies to our environment. If we all moved in that direction, and stop
eating foods force-ripened out of season, it could put a dent in the large
corp. "bland brand". The local organic farmer would once again see an
upsurge in demand, and we’d all be a lot healthier.

But then, you were so right when you say that we just don’t eat that way
in America. And our kids are paying the price as well as we are.

Just my thoughts on this subject.
Karen Howell

I’m beginning to think that you have to grow your own food & raise your own
chickens if you want to know what’s actually in the stuff you’re eating…

WASHINGTON - The food industry on Wednesday overcame objections by state
officials to win House passage of legislation that strips away powers of
states to regulate food.

The bill, long sought by manufacturers, would vest final authority for food
labeling with the Food and Drug Administration. The measure would nullify
some 200 state laws governing the safety of meat, fish, milk and a variety
of edibles.

A provision would allow states to appeal to the FDA to preserve their
authorities. But the bill likely would have the effect of limiting a growing
trend by states of warning consumers about chemical threats to what they eat
and drink

"This hodgepodge not only inhibits interstate commerce but it also drives up
the cost for consumers. … Business simply can not absorb these costs,"
argued Rep. Phil Gingrey, R-Ga., a co-sponsor.

Thirty-nine attorneys general opposed the legislation. They contended in a
letter last week that it would "undercut states’ rights and consumer
protection."

Consumer and environmental advocates also oppose the bill, as do officials
from state agencies regulating agriculture, food and drugs.
Nonetheless, the National Uniformity for Food Act advanced without benefit
of public hearings after the food industry assembled more than half of the
members of the House as co- sponsors. The legislation passed 283-139; it was
unclear if and when the Senate would take up the bill.

"It sounded so good that many members co-sponsored the bill without
understanding that it is going to overturn 200 laws that protect our food
supply," argued Rep. Henry Waxman, D-Calif.

"You have to ask yourself, why is this going on. What are they hiding from
us? Why don’t they want this bill to be held up to public scrutiny in
hearings?"

Gingrey countered that states have been so aggressive that there soon could
be 800 state laws governing food rather than 200, underscoring the need for
uniformity.

Before the bill passed, it was softened with amendments preserving states’
rights to issue warnings about dietary supplements and mercury in fish.

"Do not let either the medical authorities or the politicians mislead
you. Find out what the facts are, and make your own decisions about how to
live a happy life and how to work for a better world." - Linus Pauling

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well being.

Dawn Worswick
Enhancing the lives of those we touch by helping others reach their
goals-
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By: Freddie Skinner

Freddie Skinner — Sun, 19 Nov 2006 03:24:20 +0000

Karen:

When you refer to growing a different method now, do you mean your hot
house? Or is there some other method?

Thanks,

Marla

——-Original Message——-

Keith, I agree. And even then, you can never be sure . . . we have neighbors
who own a chicken farm and unbeknownst to us, they were illegally disposing
of dead chickens and other by-products of this type of business and the
bacteria was leaching into the local groundwater until someone called the

EPA. It was a mess! We were all informed that if we drank well water (we don
t, thank god!) or if we grew our own food (we do to some degree), that we
needed to have a soil test done, etc. I destroyed a lot of very hard work
(canned vegetables) out of fear and concern. Now, I have a different method
of growing my foods, and they are well protected from tainted soil. I’m also
a former Master Gardener Volunteer for our county, and I took this
opportunity to put to good use some other growing methods that work better
for me. I also use a small hot house to grow my herbs in so that they are
not exposed to airborne contamination. It’s sad when you distrust the common
food sources with good
reason, and sadder when you cannot trust your own garden because others
are not environmentally responsible. I’m no tree hugger, but I’m beginning
to think we all need to make a large step in that direction! I’ve also read
that in California, certified organic farmers were furious when neighboring
farms non-organic corn and other plant material was found to be
cross-pollinating theirs, thereby tainting it and rendering it non-organic.
But what to do? You cannot stop the wind from blowing . . .