Mar 16, 2010 08:30 ET -- Food Safety, Agriculture and Nutrition: Seven Predictions for 2010
The Organic Center examines how agriculture and food policy roadblocks could continue to adversely affect our health, agriculture and environmental conservation
BOULDER, Colo., March 16 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Organic Center, a leading research institute focused on the science of organic food and farming, revealed today its broad concern for the state of the food industry and American agriculture. Despite the hopeful and symbolic gesture of planting an organic garden at the White House and the First Lady's ongoing efforts throughout 2009 to promote more healthy diets amongst children, the year ended with little progress on important domestic policy issues affecting food safety and quality, agriculture and nutrition.
The Organic Center highlights seven predictions for 2010 that cast a dark shadow over national efforts to improve public health and restrain health care costs, conserve natural resources, and combat global climate change. These predictions will become or remain reality in the absence of concerted action to address the root causes of systemic problems relative to how food is grown and processed and in the American diet itself.
Food Safety, Agriculture and Nutrition: Seven Predictions for 2010 and Beyond
1. An increase in the number of children facing developmental issues
including autism, ADHD, birth defects and allergies. Just 1% of all
pesticides are responsible for virtually all pesticide-related
developmental risks from exposure in the diet. The government must
take steps to ban high-exposure uses of these pesticides.
2. An increase in the number of Americans who are obese, diabetic, or
both. Government agencies and programs either directly control or
shape one or more of the daily meals consumed by 25% of Americans.
3. A decrease in the efficacy of life-saving antibiotics. There are now
several strains of bacteria that are essentially untreatable in humans
and more will follow without major changes in how antibiotics are used
on farms. Congresswoman Louise Slaughter (D-N.Y.) introduced a bill in
2009 that would ban the subtherapeutic agricultural uses of human
antibiotics - passage of this bill will help preserve the efficacy of
life-saving antibiotics.
4. An increase in disease linked to inflammation. Nutrient-dense foods
can help elderly people fight disease, aches and pains linked to
inflammation while also promoting brain health. As we age, our bodies
become more dependent on antioxidants in food, as opposed to those
manufactured by the body. Antioxidant levels are highest in richly
colored fresh fruits and vegetables, and organic farming increases
average antioxidant concentrations by about 25%.
5. An increase in the spread of 'super weeds.' Genetically engineered,
herbicide-tolerant crops have increased herbicide use by over 380
million pounds since 1996, with 46% of the total increase in 2007 and
2008. Strong steps must be taken to reverse the dramatic increases in
herbicide use, which is resulting in spread of 'super weeds' throughout
the 160 million acres of U.S. GE corn, soybeans, and cotton grown
annually.
6. The continued rapid decline of the honey bees. Five seed treatment
insecticides are known to undermine bee immune systems and the ability
of bees to find their way back to the hive. In Italy, a ban on these
seed treatment uses during the 2009 crop season resulted in virtually
no bee losses. The U.S. should follow suit to assure ample harvests of
foods dependent on pollination by bees.
7. Global warming. Farm and conservation program payments should be
re-directed toward proven ways to sequester carbon in soil organic
matter, which will reduce America's contribution to global warming
while enhancing agricultural productivity, lowering farm production
costs and helping to shrink 'Dead Zones' in coastal areas. [/FONT][/FONT]
About The Organic Center
The Organic Center's unique mission is to advance scientific research on the health and environmental benefits of organic food and farming, and to communicate those benefits to the public. As an independent nonprofit 501(c)(3) research and education organization, we envision improved health for the Earth and its inhabitants through conversion of agriculture to organic methods. All of The Organic Center's research reports, publications, consumer guides and videos are available free of charge on our website, www.organic-center.org.
Source: The Organic Center
CONTACT: Dr. Charles Benbrook, The Organic Center, +1-541-828-7918,
cbenbrook@organic-center.org; or Mia Herron, mia@neighboragency.com, or Katy
Saeger, katy@neighboragency.com, +1-310-526-1340Web Site: http://www.organic-center.org/
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