ORGANIC LIVING By Robert Kodak Can Pore Food Be A Reality? by Robert Rodale Somewhere between the fanner and the consumer, a step occurs that turns much of our food from a healthy, life-giving commodity Into something leu. Though this phenomenon may be called a number of things, it is simply nothing more than "processing”. Strangely enough, unlike some civilizations that regarded their food supply with much greater ap preciation, we have allowed “processing" to take large chunks of nutrients, healthy fiber content and even natural taste out of our foods. Then, through “processing," some of these nutrients are put back in along with preservatives, additives and coloring agents that are supposed to make this food appear wholesome. Could that be a crime? I don’t mean the type of crime that the FBI categorizes in its annual “Uniform Crime Reports." But could it be a crime against the public? The idea is not as farfetched as it first seems. Consider inspections of food-processing plants. Recently, for example, Consumers Union took a survey of canned tuna and found that large numbers of samples tested contained rat hairs, fly maggots and, amazingly enough, pieces of feathers! Neither the Food and Drug Administration nor the consumer group said there was anything dangerous about the contaminants. Possibly there isn’t. Maybe they’re even healthy for you, though I doubt it. The point is that there are laws and regulations on the books that supposedly protect consumers from such contamination. The “crime” occurs when manufacturing plants are not inspected, allowing the subsequent con tamination to occur. Dutch School Natural Foods LARGEST SELECTION OF NATURAL FOODS AND VITAMINS IN CENTRAL PENNA. RT. 222, AKRON, PENNA. PH. 859-2339 wfsmsmmsftf SYMBOL OF SERVICE INTERNATIONAL HARVESTER NOTICE TO ALL CUSTOMERS THE ANNUAL OPEN HOUSE WILL BE HELD JANUARY 27th to JANUARY 31st. AGAIN we will be looking forward to your presence and the privilege of meeting each and every one of you. We will serve light lunch at 12 noon January 30th, and on FRIDAY, JANUARY 31st we will have entertainment in the evening starting at 7:30 P.M. We will also have a discount of 10% on parts and hardware all week. We are hoping you can attend., The same kind of "crime” took place during the great mushroom scare of 1973 when can after can of con taminated mushrooms found their way into stores. It was only after a case of botulism broke out that the FDA took proper measures to safeguard the health of the mushroom-eating public. Possibly the most heinous "crime” perpetrated by the food processors on an unknowing public is the amount and kinds of additives that are poured into a vast number of foods to make them appear much better than they are. Some give food a longer shelf life. Others color foods to make them look “pretty.” Consider food coloring. Dr. Ben Feingold, a well-known San Francisco allergist with the Kaiser Institute Per manente Group, recently pointed out that the history of food coloring has been one. of constant deletion and ad dition. “Hiey dyes are licensed on the basis of short-term observations (one to two years) while only on the basis of long-term experience (up to 15 years) does their toxicity become apparent and lead to discontinuance.” The problem is all too clear. Food processors have used nitrates and nitrites for years to prevent botulism. And by adding more and more of these chemicals to processed meat, they made the products appear more pink and fresher. Some scientists now believe that nitrates and nitrites are harmful and may cause cancer. Does the food processor’s reluctance to reduce or eliminate these chemicals represent a “crime” against society? Possibly the biggest "crime” is the one perpetuated against our children. Dr. Feingold strongly believes that many children now suffering from hyperkinesis - or PHONE: 768-8231 C. B. Hoober & Intercourse, Pennsylvania 17534 • JOHN BEAN SPRAYERS • ACORN BARN EQUIPMENT • MILKEEPER MILK TANKS • LAWN & GARDEN EQUIPMENT • PHILCO APPLIANCES • LISTER DIESEL ENGINES hyperactivity • and learning disabilities are actually suffering an allergic reaction to food additives. He classifies these additives as "drugs.” Hyperkineals presents a significant problem to society as a whole. Children suffering from it exhibit compulsive aggression, short attention spans, easy frustration, quick anger, poor coordination and difficulty in sleeping. These are “problem" children. To counter these symptoms, large doses of am* phetamines and tranquilizers are given those diagnosed as hyperkinetic. “Six separate studies involving over 200 children have demonstrated food colors and flavors to be the cause in conservatively 90 percent of the hyperkinetic-learning disability children,” Dr. Feingold says. In other words, when he put them on a "drug-free" diet, they were doped up with tranquilizers. What may be more important than Dr. Fein gold'a findings themselves • at least as far as his scientific colleagues are concerned - is the fact that his observations have been reproduced in many parts of the United States as well as England, Canada, Australia and France. Presently, Dr. Feingold’s theory regarding food ad ditives is being tested out in the laboratories of Harvard University. While underway, the multimillion dollar a year food-additive industry is holding its breath awaiting the results. Let’s imagine, and it doesn’t take too much, that Dr. Feingold’s theories are proven correct. Does this mean that food processors can be tried for the “crime” of negligence”. Or can food processors who cause cancer be tried also? Maybe they should, if only in the court of public opinion. With the importance of food in the world becoming more apparent daily, it makes little sense to adulterate it. It’s too valuable a commodity to con taminate simply for the sake of convenience. (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 or anyone else on the Lancaster Farming staff.) • De Laval MILKERS sales & service • Topline Transfer System s • Full Line Cleaning Detergents • Installation Pipelines & Parlors CALL FOR FREE ESTIMATE J. B. ZIMMERMAN & SONS Rt 23 - West of Blue Ball Phone |7l7] 354-4955 Son Farm Equipment Lancaster Farmlnj, Saturday. Jin. 25,1975 41
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