Ah what a wonderful world we live in — a world where giant agricultural producers regularly feed arsenic to chickens. This, mind you, isn’t how they kill the chicken. No, it’s how they make it grow bigger, faster, cheaper. Administered in small amounts, arsenic is one of many compounds found in various drugs routinely administered to chickens in their feed. These same giant agricultural producers have maintained for years that the arsenic never makes its way into the actual chicken meat sold at the supermarket.It all gets pooped out! Or so they say. Yet if that’s the case, then why did the FDA recently admit that arsenic does, in fact, show up in supermarket chickens?
Who’s Hogging Our Antibiotics?
Large-scale industrial farming of animals relies heavily on antibiotics. I’d go so far as to say that it wouldn’t be possible without the regular administration of antibiotics on relatively “healthy” animals. Otherwise, how else could they get away with crowding the animals into facilities that are sanitation nightmares? According to a new ad campaign launched by the Pew Charitable Trusts, up to 70% of antibiotics used in the U.S. go to farm animals that aren’t sick.
Monsanto Ordered to Pay $93M for Poisoning Town
Big wins can happen in small places. The West Virginia State Supreme Court finalized a big blow to the biotech giant Monsanto this month, finishing a settlement causing Monsanto to pay $93 million to the tiny town of Nitro, West Virginia for poisoning citizens with Agent Orange chemicals.
Ag Subsidies Linked To Obesity
The obesity epidemic. You’ve heard about it; I’m sure. According to numerous studies, more of us are getting fat than ever before. Considering that being overweight puts you in a higher risk category for so many other diseases of modern civilization, it’s not surprising that the statistics are so alarming.
Everyone who comments on the obesity epidemic points fingers at various culprits. We don’t exercise like we used to. We eat more calories than we used to. We eat more fat than we used to. We eat more refined carbohydrates than we used to. It’s the wheat! It’s the gluten! It’s the polyunsaturated fats found in vegetable oils! It’s the lack of play! The extra TV time!
But, would you believe that for the first time ever, a report has actually pointed the blame at agricultural subsidies?
Supreme Court Rules In Monsanto vs. Geerston Seed Farms
Remember how the Supreme Court heard it’s first case involving genetically-engineered crops in April? Today they announced their decision. It is a mixed victory for us Real Foodies.
The high court left the ban on the planting of Roundup Ready alfalfa in place, so for all practical purposes the “good guys” are celebrating today. The court did say, however, that the lower-court judge had overstepped his authority.
HR 2749 Passes With Some Reassuring Language
Well, friends, HR 2749 has passed. Of course, we knew it would. But thankfully, a reasoned debate happened before hand, some wording was altered, and many reassurances were given.
I’m still skeptical about the actual implementation of this bill, but that’s because I’m always skeptical about the choices Big Government makes that consistently support Big Industry, and in this case Big Ag.
HR 2749 Nearly Passes And Spells The End Of Local Food
Well folks, it looks like Wendell Berry is going to get his chance to go to jail. Minutes ago the U.S. House of Representatives passed HR 2749, the so-called “Food Safety Enhancement Act of 2009.”
Of course, HR 2749 is not friendly to small farmers. In fact, it will likely put them out of business. The bill has a number of faults, but the most alarming one is that it finally sneaked the NAIS program into law, despite the huge groundswell of dissent among our nation’s public.
News From The World of Real Food
WARNING: Most of today’s stories involve infuriating government and giant agribusiness over-reach. If you don’t want to be upset, stop reading now.
If, on the other hand, you want to get motivated to keep fighting the good fight for a sustainable, just, and humane food supply, please keep reading.
Food Inc Came To Austin And I Saw It
If you live in or around the Austin area, now’s your chance to see Food, Inc. It’s playing at the Alamo Ritz and Arbor Great Hills theaters. Friday afternoon my mom drove into town, and I announced, “We’re going on a hot date.”
Of course, I took her to see Food, Inc. I’m not sure how “hot” the date was — other than the 105 degree heat that persisted right up until showtime. After the movie, we dropped by Kerbey Lane for coffee and a delicious key lime cheesecake. (Rare indulgences like this are worth it when you’re out on a once-a-decade, exclusively mother-daughter date.) Our patio seating was pleasant compared to earlier in the day, but still a humid 90 plus degrees.
Being a blogger who is also a passionate advocate for Real Food, I’ve heard and read a lot about the film. Needless to say, I was mildly excited.
Snake Oil, Organic Labeling, Summer Recipes, and More
Everybody loves Thursdays. Today, I’ve got five more interesting Real Food finds for you, most of them news related. Hope you enjoy!