ORGANIC
By
Robert Rodal©
THE SUGAR CRISIS IS ONE WE DON’T NEED
We seem to be skipping from one crisis to another these
days. The world faces the very real threat of a food
shortage. Raw materials are in short supply and that
supply is growing shorter. The oil emergency is still with
us and show little signs of easing.
Perhaps the strangest crisis - if indeed it can be con
sidered one - is the so-called sugar "crisis.”
For the past several months, the news media has
devoted much of its energies to describing this "crisis.”
Stories have appeared documenting rising prices, sugar
boycotts climbing profits for sugar manufacturers and a
host of other anomalies.
The Sugar Association, whose membership includes
most of the major sugar manufacturers in the United
States, says that rising prices simply reflect supply and
demand. There is a spiraling increase in demand around
the world that is exceeding available supply.
Unfortunately, the real problem with sugar is not supply
and demand. It’s the exceedingly important role that,
sugar has come to play in the lives of most Americans.
Consider this statistic: Per capita, American eat 102
pounds of sugar a year. That means each and every in
dividual in the United States eats almost two pounds of
sugar every week. The only foods that outrank sugar
consumption are beef at 115.9 pounds and potatoes at 120.2
pounds per person, per year.
For many, sugar has become a way of life, eaten
because it “tastes good.’’ Some sugar is hidden in foods,
such as cereals, hams or even canned goods. Many
Americans, though, have come to look upon sugar as
essential to their well being.
My personal sugar intake is difficult to assess. I’d put it
at about a half a pound - or less - a year. Sometimes when
I’m traveling in a place like London or Paris, and see a
confectionary shop, along a street, I’ll stop in to buy
something sweet.
But it might be another six months or a year before I
buy something else that is sweet.
Dutch School
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CONTACT
KELMANADA, INC.
RDI, Box 4210, Grantville, Pa.
Phone 717-469-2864
Some Dealerships Available
ROBERT GUTSHALI
(717)933-4616
Lancaster Pipe &
distributors
Acorn unloaders
bunk feeders
tube feeders
generators
chute hoppers
Self Unloading Silage
Cattle and hog feeders
Automatic roller mills
LIVING
Model 2012,19” impeller
Model 3013,27" impeller
Although no figures exist to back up my contention, I
suspect that in Colonial times, people consumed a bare
minimum of sugar. And when they did eat it, the sugar
filled items was considered a treat - something that was
reserved for very special occasions.
Since 1971, the sugar consumption in the United States
has stabilized at the 102-pound figure. There are some who
would like to see that level drop. One way to do it, they
believe, would be to force cereal manufacturers to cut the
amount of sugar they put into their products.
Michael Jacobson, a biologist with the Center for
Science in the Public Interest, recently petitioned the
Food and Drug Administration to establish a “standard of
quality” for breakfast cereals. It would limit the amount
of sugar in them to 10 per cent.
Breakfast foods with more than this amount would have
to be labeled snack items or print the percentage of sugar
on the outside of the box and the statement, “Frequent use
contributes to tooth decay and other health problems.”
Jacobson says that many American children are eatmg
candy for breakfast and don’t know it - or their parents
don’t know it. He said that research figures put the sugar
content of the 12 best-selling products from five different
companies between 29 and 45 per cent.
Jacobson acknowledged that other foods, such as condy,
pastry and soda pop, were all high in sugar content, too.
He believes that sugar is not an integral part of breakfast
cereals and could just as easily be added if desired.
The Food and Drug Administration has not replied to
the petition nor does it have to, said a spokesman from the
CSPI. He said that the FDA commissioner “can simply
reject the petition without calling for hearings or public
comment.”
If you’re interested in seeing the amount of sugar in
cereals cut or at least having the problem aired, you can
write to Commissioner Schmidt, FDA, 5600 Fishers Lane,
Rockville, Md. 20852. Ask him to hold these important
hearings.
The sugar “crisis” is something that we can all do
something about. We can start by reducing consumption.
Reduce consumption to a logical, healthy level and the
“crisis” will disappear in short order. Add all the
potential health benefits from eating less sugar and you
have two very good reasons for cutting your sugar intake.
(Editor’s Note: The Opinions appearing in “Organic
Living” are those of its author, Robert Rodale, an in
dependent columnist. Rodale’s comments do not
necessarily reflect the thinking of the Lancaster Farming
editor and anyone else on the Lancaster Farming staff.)
FISHER SPRAY PAINTERS
(Henry K. Fisher)
SANDBLASTING and
SPRAY PAINTING
INTERIOR and EXTERIOR
Aerial Ladder Equipment
Office & Shop - 667 Hartman Station Rd.
Residence - 2322 Old Philadelphia Pike
Lancaster, Penns
For FREE Estimates Call 717-393-6530
New Negley-Miller Silos
silo blowers
conveyors
barn cleaners
calf stalls
free stalls
cow mats
barn fans
Ritchie water fountains
Lancaster Farming, Saturday, Jan. 11,1975
Egg Marketing
The U.S. Department of
Agriculture is issuing a
report providing the egg
industry with an analysis of
the major factors affecting
the production and
marketing of eggs for the
period of July through
December 1975. The report,
entitles "Egg Marketing
Facts-Second Half 1975,”
will be released about Jan. 6.
Issued by the Agricultural
Marketing Service, the
report presents decision
making information that
should result in the
marketing of an adequate
supply of eggs at prices
reasonable for both
producers and consumers.
No recommendations are
offered.
Demand for eggs in the
second half of 1975, ac
cording to the report, may be
about the same as the year
before. While some positive
factors are noted, they will
be offset by an anticipated
large supply of beef and
lowered purchasing power
resulting from higher
unemployment and from
real disposable consumer
income.
Costs of producing eggs in
the second half of 1975, the
report states, will hinge
largely on the prospects and
outcome of the 1975 com and
soybean crops. These crops
are important feed
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1 - D 4 - 500 Girton used 1 yr.
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R.D.4, Lititz
Report
ingredients and are used in
large quantities by the egg
industry. Other costs of
producing eggs, as well as
processing and marketing
costs, will be higher.
A further reduction in
flock size during the first
half, the report indicates,
will significantly affect egg
production in the second half
with the possibility that the
Nation’s laying flock could
be as much as 7 percent
smaller on July 1, 1975, than
a year earlier.
Copies of the report will be
available from the In
formation Division,
Agricultural Marketing
Service, USDA, Washington,
D.C., 20250.
Farm Youth
Calendar
Monday, January 13
Vital to Visuals workshop for
4-H at the Farm and
Home Center.
Thursday, January 16
Lancaster County Jr.
Holstein Club will meet at
the Farm and Home
Center at 8:00 p.m. In
terested young people
from the ages of 9-21 who
own one or more
registered Holsteins are
invited to join.
-r"
Ph. 626-4355
43