Fresh Produce Discussion Blog

Created by The Packer's National Editor Tom Karst

Monday, October 28, 2013

Health Watchdog Group Launches NutritionAction.com

CSPI Will Publish Nutrition Action Daily Tips and a Digital Companion to its Nutrition Action Healthletter WASHINGTON—The nonprofit Center for Science in the Public Interest today launched NutritionAction.com, a digital companion to its award-winning Nutrition Action Healthletter. Since 1974, CSPI’s flagship publication has made headlines around the world with its trail-blazing exposés of the nutrient content of movie theater popcorn, fettuccine Alfredo, Kung Pao Chicken, and other popular restaurant meals. At NutritionAction.com, the group offers Nutrition Action Daily Tips, a free e-letter about nutrition and health with practical advice on what to eat and what not to eat, as well as a digital subscription to Nutrition Action Healthletter. “NutritionAction.com provides objective, reliable, and useful information from CSPI’s nutritionists and scientists about what’s right and what’s wrong with hundreds of brand-name packaged foods, chain-restaurant meals, and food additives,” said CSPI executive director Michael F. Jacobson. “Plus, we provide easy-to-prepare, healthful recipes, and we unpack the latest studies to better help our readers avoid obesity, diabetes, heart disease, and other health problems.” Like Nutrition Action Healthletter and CSPI, NutritionAction.com does not accept funds from advertisements, corporations, or the government, giving it the independence and credibility that many other publishers don’t have to name names and evaluate the calories, salt, sugar, and other ingredients in food. NutritionAction.com is also a go-to source for information on dietary supplements, vitamins, caffeine, gluten, and food additives. NutritionAction.com’s Daily Tips also protects consumers from possible scams by evaluating food labeling and advertising. NutritionAction.com offers free downloads with unbiased advice for eating healthfully, including moderately priced reports on fighting heart disease, preventing your kitchen from making you sick, what to eat on a gluten-free diet, and how to make fast and fresh salads. Nutrition Action Healthletter’s recent report card on the changing American diet made headlines in the New York Times, Shape magazine, the Huffington Post, and TheAtlantic.com. In its November issue, which will be available to subscribers online, Nutrition Action Healthletter will publish articles on how to read a multivitamin label, and how to decide between tacos and burritos, oatmeal and yogurt parfait, and regular French fries and sweet potato fries.

Thursday, October 24, 2013

Food Day Shines Spotlight on Local Solutions to Problems with Food System

Food Access and Food Insecurity Among Many Topics at 4,700 Events WASHINGTON—Officials and community leaders in Los Angeles observed Food Day by gathering at City Hall to celebrate progress made by institutions participating in the city’s Good Food Purchasing Program, and the city’s Food Policy Council released its Los Angeles Food System Snapshot. The event will mark the one year anniversary of a program the city launched last year, which harnesses the purchasing power of major institutions to encourage greater production of, and access to, sustainable produced food. One city council member used the day to promote urban agriculture by allowing planting of edible plants in residential parkways. “We have seen that these parkway gardens can supplement food budgets for struggling families, beautify neighborhoods, and create a sense of community,” said Los Angeles city council president Herb Wesson. “We are also looking at surplus properties owned by the City for their potential use as community gardens, especially for communities with limited green space and healthy food options.” The Los Angeles event is just one of 4,700 events that are expected to occur today on—or immediately before and just after—the third annual Food Day. In Baton Rouge, LA, the city’s Food Access Policy Commission presented its latest findings to the Metro Council at City Hall, and spotlighted innovative work being done in Baton Rouge to increase access to healthy food in a community hit hard by obesity and diabetes. In Chicago, where Mayor Rahm Emanuel has issued a Food Day proclamation, a Collective Event will bring together Chicago public school students, farmers market vendors, residents, and city employees at Daley Plaza for presentations and activities on seed swapping, farming, food insecurity, and other topic. And at least 12 governors and 21 other mayors have signed proclamations declaring October 24 as Food Day. The global, avant-garde chefs organization Cook It Raw is celebrating Food Day with its first public event, “Cook It Raw: BBQ Perspective,” on Bowens Island, SC. The sold out October 26 event will put special emphasis on Lowcountry produce. “Cook it Raw is excited to use Food Day to celebrate whole foods, locally sourced, and creatively prepared,” said Alessandro Porcelli, founder and director of Cook It Raw. “We want to honor the culinary traditions of the American South—with an eye toward addressing communities need to promote healthier eating.” “Food Day absolutely sums up the process of sustainable forward thinking,” said chef Ben Vaughn, host of the Food Network’s “Health Inspectors” and master of ceremonies at the largest Food Day event, an October 26 festival in Savannah, GA’s Daffin Park. “It is a blueprint for the real meaning of sustainability and standard of how to raise a healthy family. It’s nourishment for your food soul to get excited … about October 24, but continuing on the 25th and throughout the year.” In Massachusetts, more than 600 events have been organized by the state’s agriculture department, backed by the leadership of Governor Deval Patrick. “We must ensure that our communities receive the best that our farms can produce today and preserve our local agriculture for future generations,” said Greg Watson, commissioner of the Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources. “Food Day is especially timely this year as we prepare to finalize the farm bill in Congress,” Representative Jim McGovern (D-MA) said. “In the richest nation on earth, access to high quality, nutritious food for every American is a necessary and achievable goal.” Online, Food Day is organizing a Thunderclap—a crowdspeaking event expected to bring the Food Day message to more than 500,000 people on Twitter. Those celebrating Food Day by cooking a healthy meal for family or friends can upload photos of their events on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram with the tag #LetsGetCooking to be entered into a contest. Winners receive a Jamie Oliver cookbook. (The Jamie Oliver Food Foundation (USA) has partnered with Food Day to promote food education in schools.) People can also watch a number of webcasts, including a Food Dialogues debate in Boston featuring Food Day founder Michael F. Jacobson, and a “Food Policy 101” webinar organized by Policy Link and Philadelphia’s The Food Trust. Most, but not all, Food Day events are logged on an interactive map at Food Day.org. While the nonprofit Center for Science in the Public Interest provides national coordination for Food Day, the event is guided by a long list of national and local partner organizations and a diverse advisory board comprised of members of Congress, physicians, and experts on farm worker justice, animal welfare, nutrition, food security, and other issues. Food Day, like CSPI, accepts no corporate donations, but does welcome corporations to use the day to promote healthy food or announce new initiatives. For instance, Sabra will be handing out free samples of its hummus at an event in Union Square in Manhattan. Institutional food service provider Bon Appétit Management Company will use the day to promote a sodium-reduction initiative. “We hope that one of the things that comes out of Food Day is a food movement that is stronger, more united, and better equipped to press for changes that make it easier to eat healthier year round,” said Michael F. Jacobson, executive director of CSPI and founder of Food Day. “Today hundreds of thousands of Americans will add their voices to a growing campaign for food that is produced with care for consumers, the environment, and the men and women who grow, harvest, and serve it.”

Wednesday, October 16, 2013

Corn Processors Pay Advocates Claiming They Are Science Experts, According to New Legal Filing

LOS ANGELES, Oct. 16, 2013 -- U.S. corn processors, led by agribusiness giants Archer-Daniels-Midland (ADM) and Cargill, have paid advocates to support their controversial claims about high-fructose corn syrup (HFCS) while presenting them as scientific experts, lawyers for sugar farmers have told a federal court adjudicating a lawsuit the farmers have brought against the processors. In a formal answer to the corn processors' counterclaim filed October 15 with the U.S. District Court, Central District of California in Los Angeles, sugar industry lawyers said that the corn processors have paid Drs. James M. Rippe and John S. White to advocate on their behalf. The corn processors have claimed the amounts paid are entitled to confidentiality. The redacted court filing is available at http://media.globenewswire.com/cache/17373/file/22631.pdf Both men have been outspoken in their support of the corn processors' marketing claim—disputed in a growing body of peer-reviewed literature—that "your body can't tell the difference" between table sugar and the various formulations of HFCS. The men's opinions were cited in the corn processors' counterclaim, filed late last year. "The corn processors' counterclaim is larded up with alleged facts and wild distortions in order to confuse the central issue, which is that the varied formulations of HFCS are not the same as natural sugar," said Adam Fox, an attorney with the law firm Squire Sanders, co-lead counsel for the sugar farmers. "They aren't fooling anyone." The underlying lawsuit, Western Sugar Cooperative v. Archer-Daniels-Midland, Co., was filed in April 2011 by a group of sugar farmers to stop a multi-million dollar marketing campaign attempting to equate the two ingredients. The sugar farmers claim that the HFCS advertising is false and misleading because it: (1) describes HFCS as "natural" although advanced technology is used to transform corn starch at the molecular level; (2) calls HFCS "corn sugar" although the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) had reserved that term for an entirely different sweetener; and (3) claims that "your body can't tell the difference" between HFCS and sugar, although numerous scientific publications have reached the opposite conclusion. In May 2012, the FDA rejected a petition by the Corn Refiners Association (CRA) – the trade association of ADM, Cargill, Ingredion and Tate & Lyle Ingredient Americas – to change the common name for HFCS to "corn sugar." The FDA noted that "the use of the term 'sugar' to describe HFCS, a product that is a syrup, would not accurately identify or describe the basic nature of the food or its characterizing properties." The FDA also said the name change could "pose a public health concern" to persons with fructose intolerance or malabsorption. U.S. District Court Judge Consuelo Marshall, who is presiding over the lawsuit, has also ruled on an earlier motion that the plaintiff sugar farmers have presented evidence demonstrating "a reasonable probability of success on their argument that the statements (made by the corn processors) are false." Judge Marshall also rejected an effort by the corn processing giants to have the case against them dismissed. The suit asks to put an end to the challenged advertising and for payment of damages suffered by the sugar industry as a result of the corn processors' ongoing efforts to promote HFCS at the expense of natural sugar.

KFC LAUNCHES “RECIPE FOR HOPE” HUNGER RELIEF PROGRAM WITH AUCTION OF TREASURED COLONEL SANDERS MEMORABILIA

Fans Can Own a Piece of Americana While Benefiting Feeding America and the World Food Programme LOUISVILLE, Ky., October 15, 2013 – Colonel Harland Sanders' commitment to helping others was legendary. In fact, many who knew him have said that he gave away much of his fortune to those in need. That’s why KFC started its Recipe for Hope® program, which raises awareness, volunteerism and funds for hunger relief. Now through November 10, customers have an opportunity to donate $1 at KFC restaurants across the country to support the World Food Programme (WFP), the world’s largest humanitarian agency fighting hunger. Last year alone, WFP reached more than 97 million people in 80 countries with food assistance. This year, to raise additional funds and further celebrate the Colonel’s commitment to philanthropy, KFC will auction a number of historical artifacts that Colonel Sanders collected throughout his storied career. These items, which until recently were locked away in a secure underground storage facility in Louisville, Kentucky, are up for auction today through October 28 and will benefit Feeding America, the nation's leading hunger relief organization, and the World Food Programme. “Colonel Sanders' secret recipe to a life well-lived was grounded in giving back and feeding those in need – a principle that lives on today at KFC through our ‘Recipe for Hope’ program,” said John Cywinski, President of KFC U.S. “It seems only fitting that we continue to honor the Colonel’s commitment to fighting hunger by making it possible for his fans to own some of his most prized memorabilia. In doing so, they’ll be further contributing to that same cause.” According to the World Food Programme, one in eight people go to bed hungry each night, and just $1 can feed four children for a day. In the U.S., there are about 49 million people who struggle with hunger, including 16 million children. KFC has teamed up with Dallas-based Heritage Auctions, which notably sold one of Colonel Sanders’ famous white suits last June for $21,510, to help curate and auction items from the “Colonel Sanders Collection.” Items up for auction include a Senate proclamation given on the Colonel’s 90th birthday, the Colonel’s personal Boy Scout plaque, a key to the city of St. Louis, an invitation from President Jimmy Carter for the Colonel and Mrs. Sanders to attend a 1979 White House reception, and a rare Colonel Sanders weathervane from the 1960s. To see footage of these historical artifacts, visit http://DigitalNewsRelease.com/?q=KFC_Auction. Potential bidders should visit www.ha.com/kfc to bid on their favorite items and watch the action live. For more information on Heritage Auctions, visit www.ha.com. To support KFC’s “Recipe for Hope” efforts and help feed the hungry, make a donation at any participating KFC restaurant. Since 2007, KFC has supported Yum! Brands’ nationally-recognized annual campaign supporting the United Nations’ World Food Programme and other hunger relief agencies. In October 2012, the U.S. State Department awarded David Novak, CEO of Yum! Brands, Inc., its top annual humanitarian award for the company’s successes. To date, KFC and Yum! Brands’ World Hunger Relief campaign has raised $150 million for the World Food Programme and other hunger relief organizations. Through these efforts, nearly 600 million meals have been provided around the world. Since 2007, KFC U.S. restaurants alone have raised nearly $9 million to fight hunger. For more information on helping KFC feed the hungry, please visit www.hungertohope.com.

Tuesday, October 8, 2013

Release: NSAC Comment on Senator Grassley’s Release of the GAO Report on Farm Subsidy Waste and Abuse

Washington, D.C., October 8, 2013 – Today, Senator Chuck Grassley (R-IA) released a Government Accountability Office (GAO) report that details continuing serious problems with the implementation and enforcement of the farm bill’s payment limitation provisions with respect to commodity production subsidies. The report reconfirms earlier GAO reports that demonstrate abuse of the “actively engaged in farming” eligibility rules designed to target payments to working farmers. The largest abuse stems from lax standards related to qualifying for subsidies by supplying only management, and no labor, to the farm. Over the course of many decades, the lax USDA standards have consistently resulted in payments to farms that are multiple times higher than the statutory payment limits allow. The lax standards have also negated efforts by USDA to enforce the law. Comments of Ferd Hoefner, NSAC Policy Director: "The new Government Accountability Office report is a very helpful and timely reminder of why both the House and Senate have now voted for new farm bills to close the management loophole in the “actively engaged in farming” rules. That loophole has cost taxpayers hundreds of millions of dollars and has concentrated farm program payments in the hands mega farms. The GAO report demonstrates once again that the subsidy system is being abused and that USDA, sadly, refuses to make the needed corrections without additional direction from Congress. "Thankfully, both the House and Senate have now spoken. In identical provisions, the pending House and Senate five-year farm bills at long last put an end to the management loophole that has made a mockery of the payment limit law and the important public policy goals Congress had in creating the limits. We urge Congress to complete the job of passing the farm bill, incorporating the historic reform in commodity program payment limits, and urge USDA to write implementing rules that this time prevent rather than invite waste, fraud, and abuse." Senator Grassley’s Press Release is here: http://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/Article.cfm?customel_dataPageID_1502=47157 The full report is available here: http://www.grassley.senate.gov/issues/upload/Agriculture-10-08-13-GAO-report-on-actively-engaged.pdf The 2004 GAO Report is available here: http://www.gao.gov/assets/250/242217.pdf

Sunday, October 6, 2013

DeLauro Rejects Republican Games

WASHINGTON, DC—Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro (D-CT) today rejected the latest Republican attempt to play games with the federal budget, women and children. The following remarks are as prepared for delivery on the floor of the House of Representatives: “I rise in opposition to this cruel political game the Majority is playing at the expense of American families. Let us get this straight: Ever since they took office, this Republican Majority has repeatedly tried to slash the Women and Infant Children feeding program. They tried it in 2011, 2012 2013. They will try it next year and the year after that. “I sit on the Agricultural Appropriations subcommittee. This past summer, on a party line vote, Republican Members voted to slash WIC funding by over 7 percent, and take nutritious food from 200,000 pregnant mothers and infants. I introduced an amendment to restore this critical funding, and this Majority shot it down. “When it mattered, when we all voted on this issue for real, the Majority cut this funding. And now they are trying to use these low-income families for a political message. This is disingenuous. It is duplicitous. And it is shameful. “I have strongly supported the Women and Infant Children Feeding Program my entire career and when I served as Chairwoman of the Ag-Appropriations subcommittee, the Democrats funded WIC at record levels, and expanded it as need rose during the recession. “We are talking about people’s lives. The Majority chose to shut down the government, and families across America are being affected in countless different ways. Furloughs are hitting private companies. Families and small businesses cannot get loans. Biomedical and scientific research has stopped. Food safety, food banks, flu tracking, federal economic reports, and immunizations have all stopped because of what the Republican Majority is doing here. “And now, after this Majority has repeatedly cut WIC funding, after they have shut the entire federal government down and taken the economy hostage, now we are meant to believe that they have all come to Jesus, and they want to do right by the families they have been actively trying to starve? Why, just last month, this Majority – on a party line vote – took food stamps from over four million low-income families, seniors, veterans, and children. “The gamesmanship is heartless and it is offensive. The government now been shut down for four days. Do not use hungry families as political pawns, and for this House to do its job. It is time to stop these bills and fund the entire government. I urge all of my colleagues to oppose this resolution.”

Tuesday, October 1, 2013

Holland ahead of Italy in the FRUIT LOGISTICA INNOVATION AWARD (FLIA)

Berlin, 1 October 2013 – The Netherlands are world champions! They may have yet to win the football World Cup, but when it comes to the FRUIT LOGISTICA Innovation Award (FLIA), the Dutch are clearly one step ahead of the competition. In the history of the FLIA, almost 25% of all entries have been submitted by Dutch companies – Italy follows in second place with 16%. Are the Dutch more innovative than the rest of the world? Or are they just savvy enough to recognise the fantastic marketing and promotion potential that the FLIA offers? Companies nominated for the FLIA can certainly count on high-impact international publicity. Submitting an entry is free of charge and it takes less than 30 minutes to fill out the application form. Companies or organisations that have introduced an outstanding innovation to the market between 1 November 2012 and 31 October 2013 are eligible. Entries may be submitted online by 10 November 2013. “It is important for companies to know that the FLIA is not restricted to new products – they can also enter new services, and technical novelties”, says FRUIT LOGISTICA Project Manager Christoph Göring. A panel of experts nominates ten candidates from the entries submitted. These nominees have the opportunity to showcase their innovations in a special exhibition space during FRUIT LOGISTICA (5-7 February 2014). The FLIA is the most important award presented by the fresh produce industry and has become a major attraction for media and industry professionals. The winner is determined by votes from FRUIT LOGISTICA trade visitors and is announced on the final day of the exhibition. More than 58,000 industry experts from some 130 countries are expected to attend FRUIT LOGISTICA 2014. “Enough to fill a football stadium”, Christoph Göring adds with a smile. “We will be watching eagerly to see whether Oranje will make another great showing in 2014, the year of the World Cup.” Previous FLIA winners: 2006 – “Salanova” lettuce (Rijk Zwaan), 2007 – “Vitamini’s” vegetable snack (FresQ/Rainbow Growers Group), 2008 – “Intense” – beef tomato (Nunhems Netherlands BV), 2009 – “Sweet Green Paprika” (Enza Zaden), 2010 – “Arils Removal Tool” – pomegranate seed removal tool (Mehadrin Tnuport Export), 2011 – “Limeburst Fingerlimes” Australian citrus fruit (Limeburst Fingerlimes), 2012 – “Angello – Sweet & Seedless Pepper” (Syngenta), 2013 – “City-Farming” a concept that makes it possible to grow young plants from seeds in 35 days in custom greenhouses using specially designed LED lighting (Staay Food Group)