Tales from the Larder: Olive, the Empress of Oil (part 1)

by: Asinus Asinum Fricat

Fri Nov 20, 2009 at 13:36:59 PM PST

One tablespoon of olive oil contains 120 calories and 14 grams of fat, but the fat is mostly monounsaturated and has a beneficial effect on blood cholesterol levels. It is no wonder that Mediterranean countries where olive oil is consumed extensively such as Greece, France, Italy and Spain, there is a low incidence of cardiovascular diseases. It also protects the body's digestive tract.

Cross-posted on the Evil Orange.

Melamine limits for baby formula too high, study finds

by: Deep Harm

Sun Oct 25, 2009 at 08:04:03 AM PDT

Researchers found that cases of pediatric nephrolithiasis nearly doubled with when infants were exposed to less than 0.2 mg/kg per day of melamine.  That is the World Health Organization's recommended "tolerable daily intake" (TDI) for infants.  That finding also calls into question the U.S. Food and Drug Administration's somewhat lower limit of 0.063 mg/kg for infants because we do not know how much lower than 0.2 mg/kg one has to go to reach a "no observed adverse effects level" or NOAEL.  Another finding, that the risk from melamine increases "with the duration of exposure," calls into question FDA's limit for adults and older children, also.  So far, however, the FDA and the Department of Agriculture (which share food safety responsibilities) and the news media have been silent about the study.

Genetically Modified Rice

by: Curtis Abbey

Mon Jun 08, 2009 at 10:59:21 AM PDT

Greenpeace released this statement with the video

Rice is daily food for half of the world's population. Genetically modified (GM) rice, on the other hand, is a threat to our agriculture, our biodiversity and a possible risk to our health.

At present, GM rice is not grown commercially anywhere in the world. But Bayer, the German chemical giant, has genetically manipulated rice to withstand higher doses of a toxic pesticide called glufosinate, which is considered to be so dangerous to humans and the environment that it will soon be banned from Europe.

In just a few weeks, the European Union will decide whether or not this GM rice can enter EU countries, appear on supermarket shelves and end up on our dinner plates. If the EU approves the import of Bayer GM rice, farmers in the US and elsewhere may soon start planting it.

GM Foods on the Attack in Europe

by: Asinus Asinum Fricat

Wed Feb 11, 2009 at 16:53:19 PM PST

In the face of climate chaos and a deepening world food crisis, the Gene mongers are gearing up for a PR offensive to re-brand themselves as climate saviors, pushing genetically engineered crops as a silver bullet solution to climate change.

Teatime Sampler Platter

by: Jill Richardson

Wed Jan 28, 2009 at 14:22:09 PM PST

• FarmFoody.org launches, providing foodies, farmers, and chefs with a new, interactive social networking (or should we call it edible networking?) tool. The site reminds me of Eat Well Guide but allows users to upload videos or receive bulletins from their favorite farms.
• The EU Parliament Voted by a Large Majority to ban 22 pesticides and tighten when and where the others can be used.
• The Center for a Livable Future proposes a solution to contaminated food: local, sustainable agriculture.
• Canadians are ahead of their time, apparently. On January 23, Liberal Members of Parliament hosted community meetings about food policy. They hope to create a comprehensive food policy for Canada. (There is no place that I know of that has a comprehensive food policy, so this is HUGE if they can pull it off.)
• We've been able to buy foreign Fair Trade products for years, but we now have domestic fair trade too! From the group's press release:

  DFTA is a coalition of 35 businesses, including marketing and retail coops, farmer, farmworker and indigenous peoples associations, and civil society organizations devoted to organic agriculture and coop development. In addition to Organic Valley, DFTA counts among its members the Northeast Organic Farming Association, Equal Exchange, the White Earth Land Recovery Project, Centro Campesino, CATA, the Rural Advancement Foundation International, the Organic Consumers Association, the Farmer Direct Coop, and the National Cooperative Grocers Association.

USDA is Unable to Check GM Imports!

by: Asinus Asinum Fricat

Sat Jan 24, 2009 at 07:53:43 AM PST

WASHINGTON - The U.S. food supply is at risk of being invaded by unapproved imports of genetically modified crops and livestock, a USDA internal audit report released Wednesday said.

The report, released by the U.S. Agriculture Department's Office of Inspector General, said the USDA does not have an import control policy to regulate imported GMO animals.

Its policy for GM crops, though adequate now, could become outdated as other nations boost production of their own GM crops, the report added.

So let me get this straight (to paraphrase our host here): USDA's own auditor, the Office of Inspector General (OIG) has sounded the alarm and wrote:

"Unless international developments in transgenic plants and animals are closely monitored, USDA could be unaware of potential threats that particular new transgenic plants or animal might pose to the nation's food supply"

WYF? So it's ok to export GM foodstuffs to other countries but it MIGHT pose a problem if it reaches the USA?

Solving World Hunger Over 19-Dishes Menu

by: Asinus Asinum Fricat

Tue Jul 08, 2008 at 13:49:46 PM PDT

The global food shortage was not evident as the G8 leaders tucked in a "working lunch" of white asparagus and truffle soup followed by kegani crab salad, a supreme of chicken and cheese and coffee with exotic petit fours. Alongside bottled mineral waters, crates of Chateau Grillet 2005 was on offer for those who felt like a tipple as African leaders urged the G8 to tackle spiking oil and food prices, warning the crisis threatens to aggravate an already desperate plight in the continent.

Personally, I have known for some time that these "power summits" - concocted some thirty years ago in a fireside chat at Rambouillet - achieve little, if anything it provides some mental masturbatory moments for weary leaders and a promise of top notch repasts. If some of you have better information on past G8 feats not feasts, do tell.

Cross-posted at DKos