DEAR US GOVERNMENT: PUT HEALTH FIRST
Americans are paying too high a price for and suffering catastrophic health consequences from an overabundance of cheap, empty foods.
6 WORD SATURDAY
Click here for more entries into Cate’s Show My Face meme for other pithy six weekend words.
Dear United States Food & Drug Administration:
Our food supply has become contaminated. The largest food companies have dominated the food chain for too long and the resulting consequences are not good.
Genetically engineered organisms seriously compromise farmers’ ability to grow plants in natural, non-DNA altered states. Chemical monopolies are creating crops that only they can own. The Supreme Court has ruled, favoring big food over the American farmer who is fast losing his livelihood and the ability to feed his family.
Germany was the latest European country to ban them, following Bulgaria and others. Hatians grasp their harmful nature. Indian farmers are committing suicide as they see themselves cut off from economically viable farming methods that don’t require paying high prices for seeds and harsher chemicals made necessary by those seeds. If GMOs are allowed to flourish, at minimum Americans deserve the right to know when they are buying them. GMO labeling is essential for an informed citizenry to make the best decisions about how they want to feed themselves and their families.
The FDA urges limits on antibiotic-fed cattle, a serious health threat. Note use of term “limit” rather than “halt”. Overused now, a minimal reduction could be seen as “limiting” their use. Why not require them to “halt the use of routine antibiotics given to livestock”? Antibiotics are an important drug used to treat infection; not a routine feed supplement to support unsanitary practices. Americans do not want to be exposed to the hazards of antibiotic-resistant bacteria that could have serious health consequences. Please bring an end to this unhealthy practice.  At minimum, labeling of the use of antibiotics – and growth hormones – is essential for consumers to make informed choices.
Consumers are confused. Food labels say one thing, front-of-package health claims say another. Labeling must be simplified and health claims must be eliminated on food products for consumers to make decisions unbiased by clever marketing.  The required food label is on the back or side of the package. Direct consumers there for all of the nutritional information needed on any food product. Front-of-package claims are just marketing hype – and often baseless – the major reason why consumers are confused.
Americans eat too many foods that are laden with salt. Because of the nature of food products that are refined and processed, salt, sugar are added in unhealthy amounts.  Eating a lot of these food products leads to dangerous levels of salt and sugar, and contributes mightily to early health declines and, ultimately, death. Daily Guidelines set by the FDA should reflect levels of salt and sugar that are realistic if the restoration of health is a goal rather than merely lip service.  Reduce daily levels of sodium intake in FDA guidelines.
As a concerned citizen, I am troubled by the state of our food supply and urge you to take a stand for the health of all Americans, not just the economic health of American corporations. Don’t put special interests over the health and well-being of the people.
Sincerely,
Joy
Stop Blogging And Cook.com
The FDA is taking comments for Front-of-Package Labeling. Assert your independence and preserve government for the people, by the people. Today’s homework assignment is to write to them. Take an hour out of your web surfing time. Please. It’s important. Click here; I’ll show you how.
Thanks to Marion Nestle on her Food Politics blog for the alert detailing the process and how to comment. You have until July 28. Don’t delay; do it today. I’d love for you to leave a comment here that you left a comment there. But if you can only make one comment, do it there!
