Archive for August, 2007
August 19th, 2007 at 08:01pm
Under Food Alert
Proposition 65 was enacted in 1986 in California. Its purpose was to make it mandatory for citizens to be alerted to the presence of harmful chemicals in food and drinking water. Lead is one of the chemicals targeted by this proposition.
Today, I went grocery shopping at my local market, and I needed to pick up some vinegar. Imagine my surprise when I found the vinegar shelves bedecked with labels bearing the following message:
“CALIFORNIA PROPOSITION 65 WARNING
The Red Wine Vinegars and Balsamic Vinegars contain lead, a chemical known to the State of California to cause birth defects or other reproductive harm.”
Despite the fact that proposition 65 has been around for more than twenty years, this is the first time I have encountered this warning on vinegar. I was rather dismayed, having always been such a big fan of balsamic vinegar for cooking.
Why is there lead in the vinegar?
I have encountered two explanations of this, the first being that lead gets into vinegar during the process of manufacturing, and the other being that wine grapes suck lead up out of the ground. There seems to be some bias behind both of these explanations, leaving us, the consumer, with only the fact that there is enough lead in red wine vinegar and balsamic vinegar to merit the proposition 65 warning.
In 2004, a lawsuit was filed under the Environmental Law Foundation of Oakland, demanding that the public be alerted by these signs in the grocery store, and it looks as though they have won. The Environmental Law Foundation spent $50,000 testing vinegars, and discovered that the vinegars exceeded the allowed 0.5 micrograms of lead per day, under proposition 65.
What are your vinegar alternatives?
You will note that it is only red wine vinegar and balsamic vinegar that are being labelled as unsafe for human consumption. These products are made of grapes. However, you can still use rice vinegar and apple cider vinegar in your cooking. I do share the disappointment of others over the loss of the red vinegars, which so many of us have kept as a pantry staple for so long. But, be smart about this. Lead is no joke.
What is lead poisoning?
Lead does not have a known biological role in body function. It is purely an external toxicity. Lead is absorbed into the bloodstream when a person handles, breathes, or swallows items containing this element. The symptoms of chronic lead poisoning due to repeat or prolonged exposure include abdominal pain, headache, seizures, coma, vomiting, anemia, and disorders of the brain. Lead poisoning has historically been a cause of insanity and criminal behavior. This is not something you want to play around with, merely because you’ve enjoyed the taste of an optional condiment.
It’s not just vinegar.
Proposition 65 also covers lead-contaminated candy and ceramics, arsenic in bottled water, and mercury levels in fish. There is a reaction every time a food or household item is discovered to contain a harmful chemical, and this outcry can generally be traced back to manufacturers whose income depends on selling the product in question. Pay attention to any argument that attempts to downplay the seriousness of contaminated, toxic food. Discover for yourself where these minimizing arguments are actually coming from. Whose best interest is at heart when it comes to saying that consumers shouldn’t worry about eating lead?
I am sure that the warning labels will put a dent in the earnings of producers of red wine and balsamic vinegars, but no doubt many people will continue to consume them. With so few laws currently protecting Americans from eating harmful substances, it is little wonder that the majority of the public has not yet learned to take this issue seriously. But here in California, we’ve been given a genuine warning. At least we now have the choice to buy or not to buy a product that is being labelled as toxic.
By admin
August 15th, 2007 at 11:15pm
Under Organic Gardening
Organic zucchini and yellow summer squash are fantastic summer vegetables that are best when picked fresh from the vine and cooked immediately. As a member of the cucurbita family of vegetables along with pumpkins, summer squash is a great crop to grow and harvest. If you are in an area that gets a substantial amount of heat and sunshine in the summer months, you’ll find that harvesting zucchini and yellow crookneck squash is something you need to do every day - sometimes even twice a day if your crop is growing well.
Zucchini can grow to enormous sizes in a relatively short time, and can hide themselves well under the large, fuzzy leaves of the squash plant. Make sure that when you harvest, you check closely under all of the leaves so that you can pick the fruits on time when they are at their best. A large organic zucchini is great for stuffing and baking, but the smaller squashes are the best for fresh dishes like stir frys and pasta.
How long does it take to grow organic zucchini?
Not long at all. It grows so quickly and can produce so much that you’ll be searching for different ways to cook all of the zucchini you’ve grown. With a 45 to 55 day duration from seed to ripe fruit, this is one quick-growing vegetable.
How do I plant my zucchini seeds?
The best method for planting your zucchini is to sow the seeds about 1″ into rich, moist soil. After you’ve planted your seeds, make sure to water them and then water every couple of days if the weather doesn’t do it for you. Once your zucchini plants germinate, you should keep the best little plants and remove any smaller ones. This will reduce the competition in the soil and give you more robust, healthier plants. Don’t worry - even by reducing the number of overall plants, you’ll get plenty of zucchini to eat.
How to I fight zucchini pests?
The most common insect you’ll come across is the cucumber beetle, which is a small, ladybug-sized beetle that is green and is usually spotted. These beetles love to eat the leaves not only of squash, but of cucumbers as well. You should be aware that these little bugs can bring disease to the plants, also. So how do you get rid of them? Remember the first rule of organic gardening - no insecticides! Simply remove any little beetles that you find on your squash leaves. Then take a clove of garlic, and rub it on the leaves and stems of your zucchini plants. Repeat this process every week or so as the plants grow. Insects don’t like the smell of the garlic, and will stay off of your plants if you practice this simple technique of organic growing.
When should I harvest my zucchini?
The best time to pick your zucchini is when they are between 4″ and 6″ in length. They will be very tender and should be used immediately in your best pastas, soups, or vegetable dishes. If you like, you can select a couple of your growing zucchini and let them get very large. Despite being tougher, a couple of large zucchinis can then be used to make stuffed baked squash - very tasty!
Zucchini and other summer squash are truly a summer treat. Once the harvesting time for your zucchini is over, you’ll have to wait until next year to enjoy truly fresh, organic zucchini. They are a delicate vegetable and don’t keep well, so don’t plan on storing some in your refrigerator for use in the coming weeks. Enjoy your zucchini fresh and delicious in the summer growing season, and then plan on growing your winter squash as the fall begins.
By admin
August 15th, 2007 at 11:14pm
Under Organic Gardening
From the wide variety of organic cucumbers - crisp long or lemon-shaped vegetables or sweet and dill varieties for pickling - this is one fun crop to grow. Like growing organic tomatoes, you should grow cucumbers during the warm days of summer, and the hotter it is, the better the cucumbers like it. You want to make sure that the soil you are growing your cucumbers in is rich in nutrients, but be careful not to overburden the soil with amendments like nitrogen, as this can be detrimental to your organic cucumber growth.
Our personal favorite for our own organic garden are the lemon cucumber varieties. There is just nothing like these little crisp, lemon-shaped pale organic cucumbers for a cool summer treat. Lemon cucumbers are great in salads or as additions to sandwiches, or even just to eat all by themselves, cold from the refrigerator with a little sprinkle of salt! We eagerly await the arrival of these delicious cucumbers in mid-summer and have been able to enjoy them here in the warm regions of Northern California all the way up until the end of October in a good growing year.
A secret to good organic cucumber growing is to use trellising on this crop. Encouraging the plants to grow upwards will allow you to plant more cucumbers in a limited amount of space and will make the most efficient use of your soil. Use string or mesh netting to grow your organic cucumbers. Once your cucumbers really get going, make sure that they have an adequate water supply, and encourage their production both by adding organic compost and by harvesting the fruits frequently. At harvest time, pick frequently. If your cucumbers are allowed to grow and then are not readily picked, it can strain your plant and prevent further growth.
How do I plant my cucumber seeds?
Always sow your organic cucumber seeds in rich, warm soil. This should be done after the last danger of frost in your area has passed, as cold soil will inhibit the germination of the cucumber seeds. Cucumbers are definitely a summer vegetable as they like the heat. Your first planting of this crop should be done in late spring, and, depending upon the variety you are growing, there will sometimes be enough of the season left to plant a second crop in the late summer for harvesting in early autumn.
Sow your seeds 1′ to 2′ apart in your rows, between 1/2″ to 1″ deep in the soil, and with about 3 seeds in each spot. Once the plants germinate and begin to sprout, you can thin them out to only the healthiest-looking plants. If you are growing your seedlings in a greenhouse, make sure to not let them get too big before you transplant. Also, make sure that the soil that you are moving the seedlings to outside has had ample time to warm up. In order to get a head start on the growing season, a black plastic mulch over your rows can help to effectively warm up your soil before transplanting. Give the soil a good helping of compost before you plant, and once the vines begin to appear, add another layer of compost around the plants and turn it into the soil.
How often should I water my cucumber plants?
Because cucumbers have a very shallow root system, they are not adept at digging deep into the soil in pursuit of a water supply. Therefore, planting them in good, moist soil and keeping the plants well watered throughout the growing period are absolutely essential for growing a successful organic cucumber crop.
What pests will affect my organic cucumber crop?
Once again, we find that the cucumber beetle will be the most common insect you’ll find helping himself to a meal in your organic garden. The cucumber beetle eats the leaves, vines, and flowers of cucumbers, squash, and melons. He knows a tasty vegetable like this one when he sees it! Remember, the little beetles are having their lives, too, and are looking for something to eat just as you are. Be good to the insects, to your crops, and to the environment by refraining from using any kind of chemical pesticides to combat this little bug. Simply remove the cucumber beetles from your plants, and give the leaves and stems a rub with a clove of garlic. The smell of garlic will keep the bugs away, and you will be taking care of your plants and your health the organic way! Also, keep a lookout for aphids, which can develop and grow in little colonies underneath the cucumber leaves. Treat the plant with garlic the same way you would for deterring the cucumber beetles.
How do I prevent my cucumber plants from suddenly wilting and dying?
You may have experienced, as we certainly have, that a crop of healthy and rapidly growing plants will suddenly become yellowed and discolored, begin to wilt, and quickly die. Why do some plants look to be in the prime of health one day, only to start dying the next? The most likely answer is that they have succumbed to bacterial wilt disease. This disease actually comes from the cucumber beetles themselves, and it is why it is so important to be on the lookout for these insects and to remove them from your plants as quickly as possible.
How should I harvest my organic cucumbers?
You should harvest any variety of cucumber in the early part of the day. Cucumbers don’t do as well when they are picked in the heat of the afternoon. Store your cucumbers in the refrigerator for up to three days for the best freshness.
Whether you are growing slicing cucumbers or pickling cucumbers, always pick the fruit when they are between 6″ to 8″ in length. If the cucumbers are allowed to grow longer than that, they begin to get tough and the seeds inside become hard. Never leave over ripe cucumbers on the vines. If the vines are not picked clean of fruit, they will stop producing cucumbers.
There’s nothing like a fresh cucumber, straight from your organic garden. Even compared to the supurb quality of a farmer’s market organic cucumber, nothing beats one of these vegetables when they are picked fresh and delivered onto your dinner table minutes later. Enjoy this crisp, tasty crop all summer long along with your other summer vegetables like tomatoes and squash.
By admin
August 13th, 2007 at 08:00pm
Under Food Alert
As vegans, we turn to the grain, rice, for our milk. Nothing is so delicious as a bowl of homemade granola, topped with fresh blueberries and creamy rice milk. We’ve been buying Imagine’s Vanilla Rice Milk for years. It’s tasty, organic and fairly inexpensive. We’ve always been fans…until last week when we realized something unsettling about this product.
Rice Dream Vanilla Rice Milk Contains An Ingredient Called Natural Flavor
The objective of this article is to warn you not to trust the term natural when you see natural flavor on a food label, and to urge you to tell the Imagine Foods company that we don’t want mystery chemicals in our foods.
Natural Flavors and Artificial Flavors are basically the same, and are chemical additives
Don’t let the word ‘natural’ fool you. It’s a marketing ploy being used to allay the suspicions of conscientious consumers who are trying to choose foods wisely. It’s a term that food producers are permitted to use instead of listing the actual ingredients in a product. It shouldn’t be legal to withhold ingredients from the public, and it shouldn’t be legal to call a product that contains a chemical additive ‘natural’.
The world’s giant producer of both ‘natural’ and ‘artificial’ chemical flavors is International Flavors & Fragrances (IFF). Located off the New Jersey Turnpike, their lab workers concoct the chemicals that give smell or taste to floor polish, detergent, deoderant…and food. These chemical potions are then purchased by food producers who add them to their products. When marketing to the uncaring portion of the public that is currently subsisting on Kool-Aid and TV Dinners, food producers use ‘artificial’ flavor. When marketing to health conscious, green living types, food producers like Imagine Foods use ‘natural’ flavor to make us believe this mystery ingredient is perfectly innocuous. Don’t be fooled by this clever marketing trick!
The only difference between an artificial and a natural flavor is that the artificial flavor never came from a food in the first place, but once upon a time, the natural flavor did. For example, the natural flavor for banana was derived by distilling a chemical called amyl acetate from the banana, and then copying its properties. Artificial banana flavor is made out of vingear, amyl alchohol and sulfuric acid. Both routes may produce a banana-like taste and smell, but neither route is derived from putting an actual banana in the end product. It’s all achieved by totally unnatural processes being conducted in giant factories by people in lab coats. It’s not healthy, wholesome or necessary…and it’s sure not natural!
Food tastes good when you use actual, real ingredients. Whole foods don’t need additives to taste perfect, just as they are. When a company is adding chemical flavorings to their products, they are either trying to take financial shortcuts or are covering up a really bad taste. Remember…their goal is to sell, and they are quite willing to make a fool of you and your tastebuds to do so.
Why is Imagine Foods Company Using a Mystery Ingredient in their Rice Milk?
I wish I could give you their official answer on this, but like so many companies, they don’t respond to questions about ‘natural flavors’. They don’t want to try to explain themselves, so it was necessary for us to do some sleuthing by ourselves. If a representative from Imagine Foods reads this and would like to comment here at Tangergreen, we’d all be eager to hear what you’ve got to say, and it would certainly be the smart thing to do in terms of your customer relations.
We went to the local market and checked out 4 types of Rice Dream Rice Milk - Vanilla, Vanilla Enriched, Original and Orignal Enriched. Bingo! It’s the Vanilla-flavored Rice Milk that contains the suspicious ‘natural flavor’.
Our guess is that Imagine Foods doesn’t want to spend the money to put enough real vanilla in their milk to make it taste like vanilla to you. Vanilla is a somewhat expensive extract, so we would guess that Imagine Foods is cutting corners by putting some minute amount of actual vanilla in this product and making up the difference by adding chemicals that fool customers into thinking they are tasting actual vanilla. What an unfortunate choice for a company to make when the business’ reputation hinges on selling to a demographic with above-average concern over what they put in their bodies.
Trying to Pull The Wool Over Green Consumers Eyes Is a Bad Marketing Strategy
Spending just two minutes in the grocery store, this green consumer was able to make an educated guess about the stingy spending habits of Imagine Foods who are more concerned about their profit margin than they are about delivering an honest, truly natural product to their customer. My esteem for this once-trusted company went down many notches realizing this. And now, here I am, blabbing about it to anyone who cares to research this company via the Internet.
Tangergreen’s duty is to do the blabbing, because our goal is to motivate companies trading on the ‘natural’ label to cut out this kind of garbage. When I want an apple, I don’t want a potato with apple flavoring that will sort of fool me into thinking I’m eating an apple. I want an apple, plain and simple. When I see a company proclaiming themselves to be natural, I want whole foods to make up ALL the ingredients in their products. I don’t want mystery additives being sold to me under lying names. I don’t care if the FDA permits them to do this. I want natural foods corporations to agree with me that the FDA’s standards are laughable and that natural foods companies should go miles beyond the bare requirements to provide something nutritious and unadulterated to their customers. If Mama didn’t use it in her kitchen, I don’t want it in my food.
The good Lord only knows what the actual health toll is from consuming flavor and scent chemicals. Living in a world of autoimmune diseases and cancers, I am suspicious of putting anything that came out of a labratory into my body, and I am very suspicious of any company that tries to pull the wool over its consumers’ eyes with underhanded labeling tricks. If Imagine Foods is willing to stoop so low, what else might they be doing?
My Request of Imagine Foods
Spend the money to buy real vanilla and get this mystery junk out of your products. We don’t want it. We really don’t want it.
What You Can Do
To take action on this, phone Imagine Foods, owned by the Hain Celestial Group, at 1-800-434-4246. If enough people call and say they don’t want undisclosed ingredients and chemicals in their food, Hain Celestial Group will be struck with a decent fear of losing market share unless they give us what we’re asking for. Remember, the customer is always right.
To continue enjoying rice milk, you have a few options. Find another brand that doesn’t list ‘natural ingredients’ on their label. If anyone would like to suggest a good alternative, please leave a comment here for us to check out. Or, if Imagine Rice Dream Rice Milk is the only brand available where you live, buy the Original or Original Enriched and a bottle of organic vanilla extract. Just a drop of real, pure vanilla will give genuine vanilla flavor to a whole carton of plain rice milk.
Summing Up
If this was the Pepsi corporation pulling a stunt like this, I really wouldn’t care. Their products are concoctions of nothing but chemicals and God help anyone consuming them. But it really gets my goat when I see the very businesses that claim to provide an alterative being no better than their evil corporate counterparts.
The FDA will not set decent standards to protect us. Companies like Imagine Foods will attempt to squeak by, taking any short cut they can on the road to profit rather than setting admirable, new high standards. So, setting the standards for what is acceptable in the food we eat is left up to us, the consumers. Our voices and our dollars are what determines who gets to stay in business and what goes on our tables. Please, harness this power and call Imagine Foods today.
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Update: August 24, 2007
I finally heard back from the Hain Celestial Group, maker of Rice Dream Products. Their reply, unfortunately, was guarded and non-transparent, as well as not answering my question:
Thank you for taking the time to contact us regarding our Vanilla Rice Dream Beverage. We apologize for the delay in our reply and appreciate your patience. We strive to maintain the highest quality products and we appreciate your patronage.
Natural is used as a general term to encompass both natural flavors that are both vegan and non-vegan. It’s used to convey that the flavor or ingredient doesn’t have anything artificial in it. Artificial meaning any chemically synthesized ingredients. The term natural flavor or natual flavoring means any ingredient that is from a spice, fruit or fruit juice, a vegetable, edible yeast, herb, bark, root, leaf, meat or poultry products whose significant function in food is flavoring rather than nutritional. The Hain Celestial Group does not add mono-sodium glutamate (MSG) to any of our natural flavors. If you have allergies or sensitivities to certain ingredients, we recommend you avoid all products with added flavorings.
As one of our valued customers, your satisfaction is very important to us and we will share your comments with our Leadership Team. If we can be of further assistance, please feel free to contact us at 1-800-434-4246, Monday through Friday from 7AM - 5PM Mountain Time.
Sincerely,
Lynda
Consumer Relations Representative
From this response, I would imagine the Hain Celestial Group gets a lot of inquiries about MSG, but this was not what my specific question was about. I asked to be told what chemicals are being added to the Vanilla Rice Dream Rice Milk, not whether this product contains MSG. As you can see from the above, it is the Hain Celestial Group’s policy not to be honest about the actual ingredients in their product.
This is unacceptable for a company billing their products as natural. If it’s natural, tell me what it is!
The only advice we are being given is that if you have ‘allergies’, you shouldn’t drink their Vanilla Rice Milk. It also leaves open the question as to whether non-vegan ingredients are being put into Vanilla Rice Milk.
Companies like Hain Celestial are being no better than their corporate counterparts who manufacture TV Dinners and Jell-O and don’t ever disclose to the public what they are really being fed. What is there to hide? Obviously, something.
By admin