Natural Choices — Health Food, Organic Produce, Gluten Free, Vitamins, Supplements — Columbus, Bartholomew County, Indiana

Archive for May, 2011

For generations before and in the present mothers have told their children to drink a warm glass of milk before bed because it would help put them to sleep. Today the theory is being put to the test, and the outcome is to be highly regarded.

In America over 30% of percent experience chronic insomnia, while almost 60 million people experience difficulty falling asleep in a year’s time.  Health risks related to insomnia include chronically elevated levels of cortisol (the stress hormone), insulin resistance, and increased fat storage to greater risk of mortality from all causes, including cancer and cardiovascular disease.

In Europe the people use a proprietary set of bioactive peptides derived from milk, which have been identified to operate along the same neurological pathways as anti-anxiety drugs — without the side effects.

Milk peptides decrease the amount of time it takes to fall asleep, improve sleep efficiency, and increase daytime wakefulness. By improving several aspects of healthy sleep, milk peptides may offer protection against many health disorders associated with sleep deprivation.

The United States Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit on September 30, 2010 ruled in favor of the Organic Trade Association (OTA) in a landmark case that would have prevented consumers in Ohio from knowing whether products on grocery store shelves were produced without synthetic growth hormones.

“The OTA believes consumers have a right to know how their food was produced, and organic farmers and manufacturers should be allowed to tell them,” said Christine Bushway, CEO of OTA, the leading voice for the $26.6 billion organic industry in North America. “We are pleased the court agrees,” added Bushway.

In order to qualify for the organic label, organic farmers are prohibited from using synthetic growth hormones (rBGH), genetically engineered organisms (GMOs), antibiotics and toxic, persistent, synthetic pesticides.  The standards also mandate a rigorous system for inspection, certification and verification of organic practices, all of which protect consumers who choose organic foods.

The court’s decision upholds consumers’ rights to receive truthful information about organic production practices on the labels of their milk and other dairy products.  Additionally, it recognizes the rights of organic dairy farmers and processors to communicate truthfully with consumers regarding federally regulated organic production practices under the USDA Organic seal.  As a result of this victory for organic, consumers will continue to see truthful information on organic product labels in Ohio and across the country.

The Organic Trade Association and its members, including Horizon Organic, Organic Valley, and Stonyfield Farm, filed the appeal in conjunction with the International Dairy Foods Association (IDFA).

The overwhelming majority of Americans seeks this information on product labels.  The Consumer Reports National Research Center polled more than 1,000 people nationwide on various food labeling issues; some 76% of those polled were concerned with ‘dairy cows given synthetic growth hormones’ and 88% agreed that ‘milk from cows raised without synthetic bovine growth hormone should be allowed to be labeled as such.’

The United States is in the minority among industrialized nations by allowing the use of synthetic growth hormones to artificially stimulate milk production in dairy herds.  The practice is already prohibited in Canada, Japan, Australia, New Zealand, and in the 27 countries of the European Union.

The best way for consumers to be sure they are choosing products produced without the use of synthetic growth hormones (rBGH), genetically engineered  organisms (GMOs), antibiotics and toxic and persistent pesticides is to look for the organic label.

As many of you are aware, the USDA released its final Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) on Dec. 16th of 2010 regarding the potential impact of genetically engineered (GE) alfalfa.  The USDA received many comments from concerned citizens and demands that a review, of the impacts not considered previously, be conducted.

One of the major concerns is the contamination of organic crops.  The Organic Trade Association (OTA) has taken the position that regulatory/policy decisions should move the costs associated with GE contamination ( contamination of Non-GE crops) from the organic or natural farmer to the GE patent holder.  Additionally, non-GE crops should be protected from GE pollution. Today this is not the case.  The organic farmer is liable for the contamination.  How can an organic farmer possibly bear the expense of defending him/herself against biotech giants with access to legions of attorneys?

The movie/documentary Food Inc. has offered great insight into these very topics. It is available at most video stores for rent, if you are willing to further your interest in the subject.  Both Natural Choices and Healthy Communities have sponsored the film at YES cinema in Columbus, Indiana.  These issues are important to our community as well as the nation.

The OTA has outlined the requirements for co-existence of GE and organic crops, but it is important to point out that not only organic farms are impacted.  There are large agricultural segments that have an interest in access to unadulterated seeds.  The population has several masses who are sensitive to foods made with GE, which have a need for food items which are not produced with non-GE products.

Food for Thought:   The European Union has not approved GE crops nor does it seem likely that they will anytime in the near future.

Let us think of the future and its generations to come.  How can we ensure the survivability of our descendents?  My vote is whole foods! What is yours?