The Alliance for Food and Farming produced a Press Release dated May 25, 2012 praising the safety of food production in the United States. It states, “Today’s release of the United States Department of Food and Agriculture’s Pesticide Data Program (PDP) results should reinforce to consumers that both conventional and organic fruits and vegetables are being grown in an extremely safe manner.”
And what data supports that food production is safe? Per the press release, “According to a USDA press release, this year’s report shows that overall pesticide residues found on foods tested are at levels below the tolerances (maximum legal residue levels) set by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).” Well hooray – that means that all of our food is safe from too having too many pesticides used in the food production and handling, right?
Read closely… “The PDP report findings show that more than 95 percent of food samples analyzed did not contain pesticide residues above safety levels set by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. So in other words, close to 5% of the food we eat has levels exceeding the MAXIMUM safety levels of pesticide. This is cause to celebrate?
And what about the 95% of our food production being heralded in this report because it is under the maximum allowable level of pesticides? The EPA determines the maximum levels of exposure based on 180 pound men. Not 30 pound toddlers with growing, developing bodies.
We are assured via this press release that 95% of the food produced in this country has up to the maximum allowable levels of toxic pesticides for us to consume. There’s more. “Based on the PDP data from this report, parents and caregivers can continue to feed infants their regular baby foods without being concerned about the possible presence of unlawful pesticide chemical residues.” Of course the operative word here is “unlawful” pesticide chemical residues. Because a Poison is a Poison is a Poison.
And why is this such an issue? Pesticides are proven to be linked to Autism, ADHD, Asthma, Alzheimer’s, Diabetes, Lupus, Cancer, plus many other disease categories. Toxic, synthetic, poisonous, chemical pesticides are NOT GOOD!!!
The press release also states, “Age-old advice remains the same: eat more fruits and vegetables and wash them before you do so.” Now there is an oxymoron! The press release says the levels are safe so why would we need to wash our fruits and vegetables to eliminate these “safe” levels of toxic pesticides?
And here is the biggest myth of all – most pesticides used in food production are used while the food is growing – not applied topically after harvest. If used during the growing process, the pesticide actually enters the cell structure of the plant. It isn’t on the surface, it is inside the fruit or vegetable. You can no more ‘wash’ off the pesticide used during the growth process of an apple than you can take a shower to ‘wash’ off the grilled cheese sandwich you ate for lunch. Do not be fooled into thinking washing your fruits and vegetables will magically clean away the pesticides… because it doesn’t.
Organic produce is the way to go as it means there are no poisonous synthetic pesticides used in the food production – only natural pest control processes are allowed – so there is no poison used while growing or after harvest. Why use toxic, synthetic chemicals when natural pest control works just fine? Greenbug products meet all the OMRI standards for organic farming and they work great!
And it is imperative to stop thinking that because food is available for purchase that it is safe. You cannot look at a green pepper and know if it is organically or conventionally produced so buyer beware – become actively involved in pursuing organic produce. Purchase local produce whenever possible as it cuts down on the additional pesticides used in transportation. Be informed, engaged in good decisions and avoid toxic pesticides whenever possible!
Consume food that has been grown with natural pest control. Grow your own veggies using Greenbug to control pests. Be aware because a poison is a poison is a poison!