Tell Jerry Brown to Prioritize Safe, Sustainable Food as his #1 Agenda Item

January 19, 2011

Please sign this letter to Gov. Jerry Brown, encouraging him to make healthy, local, organic and sustainable food policies a central part of his administration.

Food Democracy Now has prepared a letter to Gov. Jerry Brown, asking him to prioritize  healthy, sustainable and local food and farm policies that benefit all Californians. The letter prepared by Food Democracy Now asks for California food policies that place a strong emphasis on improving access to healthy food to underserved communities, create economically vibrant farms and farm jobs, reward and adequately protect farm workers and ensure that the bounty of California’s natural resources are preserved for future generations.

 

In health,

–Dr. Gina


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Posted by Dr. Gina Nick

How Safe are your Nutritional Supplements?

January 6, 2011

Below is a press release from the Orthomolecular Medicine Society regarding the safety of the nutritional supplements our patients, family and friends rely upon every day to stay healthy and free of disease.

In health,

–Dr. G

Zero Deaths from Vitamins, Minerals, Amino Acids or Herbs

Poison Control Statistics Prove Supplements’ Safety Yet Again

There was not even one death caused by a dietary supplement in 2009, according to the most recent information collected by the U.S. National Poison Data System.

The new 200-page annual report of the American Association of Poison Control Centers, published in the journal Clinical Toxicology, shows zero deaths from multiple vitamins; zero deaths from any of the B vitamins; zero deaths from vitamins A, C, D, or E; and zero deaths from any other vitamin.

Additionally, there were no deaths whatsoever from any amino acid, herb, or dietary mineral supplement.

Two people died from non-nutritional mineral poisoning, one from a sodium salt and one from an iron salt or iron. On page 1139, the AAPCC report specifically indicates that the iron fatality was not from a nutritional supplement. One other person is alleged to have died from an “Unknown Dietary Supplement or Homeopathic Agent.” This claim remains speculative, as no verification information was provided.

60 poison centers provide coast-to-coast data for the U.S. National Poison Data System, “one of the few real-time national surveillance systems in existence, providing a model public health surveillance system for all types of exposures, public health event identification, resilience response and situational awareness tracking.”

Over half of the U.S. population takes daily nutritional supplements. Even if each of those people took only one single tablet daily, that makes 155,000,000 individual doses per day, for a total of nearly 57 billion doses annually. Since many persons take more than just one vitamin or mineral tablet, actual consumption is considerably higher, and the safety of nutritional supplements is all the more remarkable.

If nutritional supplements are allegedly so “dangerous,” as the FDA and news media so often claim, then where are the bodies?

References:

Bronstein AC, Spyker DA, Cantilena LR Jr, Green JL, Rumack BH, Giffin SL. 2009 Annual Report of the American Association of Poison Control Centers’ National Poison Data System (NPDS): 27th Annual Report. Clinical Toxicology (2010). 48, 979-1178. The full text article is available for free download at http://www.aapcc.org/dnn/Portals/0/2009%20AR.pdf

The data mentioned above are found in Table 22B, journal pages 1138-1148.

For Further Reading:

Download any Annual Report of the American Association of Poison Control Centers from 1983-2009 free of charge at http://www.aapcc.org/dnn/NPDSPoisonData/NPDSAnnualReports.aspx

Orthomolecular medicine uses safe, effective nutritional therapy to fight illness.

OMNS archive link http://orthomolecular.org/resources/omns/index.shtml.

The peer-reviewed Orthomolecular Medicine News Service is a non-profit and non-commercial informational resource.

To Subscribe at no charge: http://www.orthomolecular.org/subscribe.html

Leave a Comment » | Healthcare Politics, Latest Nutritional Research, Nutritional Supplements and Disease, Orthomolecular Medicine | Tagged: , , , | Permalink
Posted by Dr. Gina Nick

Action Alert RE: Food Safety Bill

December 20, 2010

Please read the action alert below from the Alliance for Natural Health and take the action TODAY. Time is of the essence.

“If people let government decide what foods they eat and what medicines they take, their bodies will soon be in as sorry a state as are the souls of those who live under tyranny.”

-Thomas Jefferson

In health,

–Dr. G

—

Emergency Action Alert! Food Safety Passes the Senate in Shocking Maneuver

Sunday night, in one of the most underhanded and outrageous legislative maneuvers we’ve seen, the Senate passed the language of S. 510, the Food Safety bill, by a unanimous consent agreement. It now goes to the House of Representatives. We have one last chance to stop it!

As we told you last week [1], Democrats first attempted to attach the food safety bill to the short-term spending measure to keep the government running, but Republicans balked because they wanted to keep that measure clean. So last night, the Senate raised it as an amendment to a completely unrelated bill from the House of Representatives—H.R. 2751, the Consumer Assistance to Recycle and Save Act! Quite a number of reports, including some from other health organizations, have gotten many of these details wrong. The swift approval by unanimous consent caught some aides and lobbyists working on it by surprise. Sen. Tom Coburn (R-OK) had promised to block the legislation, but lifted his objection at the final moment.

Reid announced he would send the legislation—this time attached to a House-originated measure—back to the lower chamber for final approval. Please contact Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi and your own Congressional representative immediately and urge that the Food Safety language be completely stripped from H.R. 2751 the Consumer Assistance to Recycle and Save Act!

We believe Pelosi would prefer to bring up Food Safety “under suspension,” which is an expedited House procedure that requires a two-thirds vote to pass. We need you to urge her in the strongest possible terms to bring it up under regular order—no more expedited deals, no more underhanded maneuvers!

Tell her that the Senate’s passage of this bill at 10 p.m on a Sunday night doesn’t give the public an opportunity to weigh in – and you don’t want the same thing to happend int he House! Tell her this issue is too vital for you and your family’s health and to allow it to be considered outside of regular protocols!

TO SEND YOUR MESSAGE TO MS. PELOSI AND YOUR REPRESENTATIVE

Click THIS LINK [2] to go to the Action Alert page. Once there, fill out the form with your name and address, etc.

Article printed from Welcome to the Alliance for Natural Health – USA: http://www.anh-usa.org

URL to article: http://www.anh-usa.org/emergency-action-alert-food-safety-passes-the-senate-in-shocking-maneuver/

URLs in this post:

 

[1] As we told you last week: http://aahf.convio.net/site/R?i=wMO6M0jaM6KIa74mOqT-jw..

[2] THIS LINK: https://secure3.convio.net/aahf/site/Advocacy?cmd=display&page=UserAction&id=643&JServSessionIdr004=ut5bd1c304.app304b

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Posted by Dr. Gina Nick

Food Safety Bill Update..Positive News!!!

November 30, 2010

Below is a report by the Natural Products Association regarding the Food Safety Modernization Act.  The Senate passed the bill with language that was largely debated and in support of the Natural Products Industry and small farmers.

Here’s to positive changes happening in America!

–Dr. G

—

Food Safety Bill Passes the Senate

This morning the Senate passed S. 510, the Food Safety Modernization Act, by a vote of 73-25. It is still expected that the House will approve the bill as passed by the Senate, and send it on to the President for his signature. Enactment will complete a long legislative journey spanning several Congresses, and is a significant win for the NPA and the industry; as provisions negatively impacting natural products retailers and suppliers were modified or kept out of the bill, and measures supported by the industry were included.

As noted in earlier updates, the bill includes the language negotiated between industry champion Sen. Orrin Hatch (R-UT) and Sen. John McCain (R-AZ), which prompted McCain to withdraw his support for S. 3002. There also are provisions protecting supplement makers from duplicative safety regulations, and language clarifying that nothing in the bill promotes adoption of CODEX by the United States. These provisions were supported by NPA. The bill also includes a recent amendment offered by Sen. Jon Tester (D-MT) to protect small farmers, as well as several other provisions. Not included in the revised package is the penalties amendment proposed by Sen. Patrick Leahy (D-VT) that the Natural Products Association opposed.

The final version of this bill is a demonstration of the impact of the strong grassroots voice of NPA members and others in the industry, and the hard work by the NPA staff and lobbying team.

The NPA will remain vigilant for the rest of the lame duck session of Congress to ensure the interests of the industry are protected.

LTP Natural Medical Center and Dr. Gina Cushman are members of the Natural Products Association and support their efforts to make positive change happen in America’s Natural Healthcare Industry.

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Posted by Dr. Gina Nick

Protect America’s Family Farmers Today!

November 16, 2010

In the next 24 hours, the Senate is voting on a crucial and controversial bill (Food Safety Modernization Bill) that compromises the health and well being of America’s local farmers.  Please call or email your local representatives to encourage them to include the Tester-Hagan Amendment and the Manager’s Amendment , which offers some protection for farmers that have gross sales of less than $500,000 and sell within 400 miles of their farm.

Click here to read more and take action now!

In health,

–Dr. G

 

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Posted by Dr. Gina Nick

Please Tell Congress to Pass the Child Nutrition Bill TODAY!

September 29, 2010

Tell congress to pass the child nutrition bill today!

In the next 36 hours, the House is set to vote on the much anticipated Child Nutrition Re-authorization Act (CNR). Tomorrow, on September 30th, the bill will expire if Congress does not act. If that happens, our kids will lose out on the best shot they’ve got at improving the quality of their school lunches.

Click here to take action now.

Below is more information, provided by the good folks at Food Democracy Now!

Please consider a donation as well to support their continued and focused efforts to protect our food supply. It is a powerful way to say “Thank You!” for working on our behalf.

In health,

Dr. Gina (Nick) Cushman

—

Urgent: Can you take a moment today for children?

In the next 36 hours, the House is set to vote on the much anticipated Child Nutrition Re-authorization Act (CNR). For over a year now, America’s children have been waiting on this vote, and tomorrow, on September 30th, the bill will expire if Congress does not act. If that happens, our children will lose out on the best shot they’ve got at improving the quality of their school lunches, and along with it, their health.

Although this bill has been at the heart of much criticism, it is our last best hope to address childhood hunger, set limits on junk food in the schools and provide mandatory funding for farm to school programs this year. [1]

It is so urgent that we are asking you to not only sign a letter to your Representative in congress, but also to make a call today urging them not to ignore this important bipartisan piece of legislation. Can you take a moment for America’s children right now?

Click here to send an urgent email to your U.S. Representative.

http://action.fooddemocracynow.org/go/265?akid=216.63486.nasZck&t=8

What does Child Nutrition Act provide?

  • Mandatory funding for grants to assist in establishing Farm to School programs. ($40 million over 8 years)
  • Establishes national nutrition standards for all foods sold on school campuses (including vending machines)
  • Improves access for low income and poverty level students to school nutrition programs
  • Expands the after school meal program, including authorizing Summer Food Grant Support
  • A 6 cent increase per school meal
  • $10 million for an Organic Food Pilot Program that authorizes competitive grants for lower income school districts to purchase organic food for their menus

The Child Nutrition Act is important legislation that we can no longer afford to deny our children. First Lady Michelle Obama has recognized this from the beginning of her husband’s presidency, working as a powerful advocate to end childhood obesity within this generation. [2] It’s no wonder. According to The Centers for Disease Control, one-third of all children born in the year 2000 will be overweight, obese or contract diabetes. Even worse, these children will be the first in our nation’s history to die at a younger age than their parents, if we don’t reverse this disturbing trend. [3]

There’s no better reason than that to advocate for better school lunch programs, which not only build children’s health and address hunger, but also create opportunities for new and beginning farmers through Farm to School programs.

Farm to School

Farm to School programs provide children the opportunity to eat seasonal and local fruits and vegetables, creating the potential to enhance children’s overall health and lifelong dietary habits. With current Farm to School programs in place, giving access to farm fresh food, schools have reported a 3 to 16% increase in school meal participation among students, giving them a connection to where their food comes from and improving academic performance.

In addition, Farm to School programs keep local dollars in the community, provide jobs, and market opportunity for small and midsized farmers; something Food Democracy Now! advocated for in February 2009 when we were the first organization in the sustainable food community to sit down with Secretary Vilsack in his office at the USDA in Washington DC.

Now is the time to enact this important measure, which builds healthy kids and healthy rural communities.

Click here to send an urgent email to your U.S. Representative.

http://action.fooddemocracynow.org/go/265?akid=216.63486.nasZck&t=12

The Tale of Two Bills

A great deal of concern has been raised over the incremental but crucial differences between the House and Senate bills for the re-authorization of the Child Nutrition Act. One hotly contested difference is that the Senate version takes $2.2 billion in funding away from the SNAP or Supplemental Nutritional Access Program (formerly known as food stamps). [4] While this is an area of deep concern, leaving one to question the integrity of every U.S. Senator, it is, at this point, a politically unavoidable reality.

Those in favor of the House bill are also extremely discouraged at the cut in funding for the breakfast program from the Senate version, not to mention the dramatic reduction in funds budgeted for the Farm to School program. The House version grants $10 million per year for Farm to School programs over 5 years, while the Senate version of the bill only allows $5 million per year over 8 years. Also, notably absent from the Senate version is the expansion of food safety requirements. Worth noting is the appallingly low figure that both the House and Senate granted in the bill at a mere 6 cents per meal for America’s school children. [5]
With 12 percent of children ages 2 to 5 already obese, not to mention the fact that food insecurity is at it’s highest rate since the USDA starting keeping stats in 1995, certainly, we could do better. [6]

The Child Nutrition Act has held much promise for our nation’s children, let’s not fail them any longer. Our kids deserve better than the status quo that has brought them obesity and malnutrition.

We know that we can no longer afford to wait to give our children the nutrition they deserve. For many, this is the main meal of their day and it’s time that Congress treat America’s children like the precious national resource for our future that they are.

Even though this bill enjoys broad support from NGO’s, the First Lady, military generals and Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack [7], it could go down in flames alongside other vital pieces of legislation this year, such as the climate change bill, if you don’t take action today.

Today, we need to say, “Not on our watch!”

Don’t fail kids today. Please take a moment and join us!

Be a Hero today to our kids by clicking here to send a letter to your Representative in Congress, then make a quick call.

http://action.fooddemocracynow.org/go/265?akid=216.63486.nasZck&t=14

The next generation thanks you for participating in food democracy  –

We need your help to keep the pressure on! Please donate to Food Democracy Now today – as little as $7 can make a big difference. Every bit helps!

http://fdn.actionkit.com/go/donate/133?akid=216.63486.nasZck&t=17

We rely on folks like you to keep us going. Thanks again for your support.

Sources:

1. Senate bill S. 3307 – 111th Congress, The Library of Congress.

http://action.fooddemocracynow.org/go/257?akid=216.63486.nasZck&t=19

2. “Healthy, and Safe, School Lunches”, Michelle Obama; Editorial New York Times; April 4, 2010.

http://action.fooddemocracynow.org/go/258?akid=216.63486.nasZck&t=21

3. P”revalence of High Body Mass Index in US Children and Adolescents, 2007-2008″ The Journal of the American Medical Association, January 20, 2010.

http://action.fooddemocracynow.org/go/259?akid=216.63486.nasZck&t=23

4. “Critics call child nutrition bill counterproductive”, NPR, September 29, 2010.

http://action.fooddemocracynow.org/go/260?akid=216.63486.nasZck&t=25

5. “A modest proposal for congress: Ditch the extra spending for school lunch, Ed Bruske, Grist, September 28, 2010.

http://action.fooddemocracynow.org/go/261?akid=216.63486.nasZck&t=27

6. “Food insecurity rising in America”, Newsweek, August 8, 2010.

http://action.fooddemocracynow.org/go/262?akid=216.63486.nasZck&t=29

7.”100 Retired Generals and Admirals, Agriculture Secretary Vilsack Urge Congress to Pass Child Nutrition Bill As Matter of National Security”, Mission Readiness, September 21, 2010.

http://action.fooddemocracynow.org/go/263?akid=216.63486.nasZck&t=31

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Posted by Dr. Gina Nick

Take Action to Prevent Widespread Use of GMO Salmon

September 14, 2010

Please support Food Democracy Now! in their grassroots efforts to educate the public on genetically modified foods and the risks to your health. Below is a plea from them to sign a petition to stop GMO salmon from landing on your plate. A worthy effort!!!

In health,

Dr. G

—

Massive mutant GMO salmon, genetically engineered to grow twice as fast as wild salmon, are coming to a table near you if you don’t act today.

On September 3rd, a panel of three Food and Drug Administration (FDA) officials declared that genetically modified salmon were “safe” for human consumption. [1] Somehow, the elite FDA panel arrived at this “decision” based on “scientific research” provided by AquaBounty Technologies, the same company that stands to profit from introducing its patented genes onto our plates.

With the potential approval of GMO salmon, Americans are now entering an alarming new era of genetic experimentation with food animals, nature and the human population. Already the scientific community is warning against the real risk that these unnaturally engineered fish pose to wild species, the environment and human health.

Act today to stop the FDA from allowing this disaster to happen! Click here to automatically sign your name to the petition demanding that the FDA halt approval of GMO salmon.

http://action.fooddemocracynow.org/go/247?akid=202.63486.cnGt_Y&t=8

Known as “macro-mutants”, AquaBounty’s GMO salmon are designed to ignore natural cycles of food sources and wild fish mating patterns that have existed for eons. [2]

While AquaBounty’s GMO salmon are only days away from being approved, the FDA has only seen scientific studies provided by the company that stands to profit from these patented genes. Since AquaBounty’s GMO salmon are being regulated under the FDA’s new animal drug provision, real independent scientific studies were not required. [3]

If history and the law of unintended consequences has taught us anything, the FDA’s approval of transgenic GMO mutant fish will be a disaster. For years independent scientists have been warning us about the dangers posed by these GMO salmon.

Once again, corporations and our government are trying to place profits over people. Act today to stop the FDA from allowing this disaster to happen!

Click here to automatically sign your name to the petition demanding that the FDA halt approval of GMO salmon.

http://action.fooddemocracynow.org/go/247?akid=202.63486.cnGt_Y&t=11

What will these GMO salmon do to the environment?

One key problem with AquaBounty’s current business model is that they intend to sell the patented GMO salmon eggs to giant aquatic fish “farms” and not raise the fish themselves. [4] By becoming the Monsanto of aquaculture in simply selling the seed stock, AquaBounty solves a key infrastructure problem, but opens the door to mismanagement of its product and potential extinction of wild species. While the FDA states that the patented GMO salmon will be raised on inland fish farm facilities, there is no guarantee that the sold eggs might not accidentally end up in open-water ocean net pens or accidentally be spilled during transport.

If this happens, it could spell disaster. Even more alarming is the fact that, according to the Environmental Assessment that AquaBounty submitted to the FDA, these GMO salmon eggs are to be hatched in a facility on Prince Edward Island in Canada and raised at an inland facility in Panama! [5] That’s right, designed in Canada, raised in Panama, and ready for your plate here in America. Something smells fishy about this arrangement.

If GMO salmon escape into the wild, scientists warn that just 60 GMO salmon released into a population of 60,000 could lead to the extinction of the wild population in just 40 fish generations. [6] With wild Atlantic salmon already on the list of endangered species, the approval of AquaBounty’s patented GMO mutant fish may very well be a death sentence for wild salmon. One has to ask, what profit could possibly be worth such an outcome?

How will GMO salmon impact human health?

Because independent scientific studies of AquaBounty’s patented salmon have not been allowed, the human health impacts of GMO salmon are not currently known. Shockingly, the FDA is relying on scant scientific documents provided by AquaBounty itself. In fact, the FDA’s own assessment AquaBounty’s studies to determine whether GMO salmon are safe for human consumption states that the studies contain “technical flaws” and provide “insufficient data”.

For two of the studies submitted, AquaBounty used sample sizes so small that they have no scientific credibility, with only 12 fish tested for one study, while the study on possible allergic reactions in humans involved only “6 fertile fish and 6 infertile fish.” [7] Despite this scant evidence, the FDA is currently on the verge of approving the companies GMO salmon.

Serious questions remain about eating fish engineered to grow faster and how that genetically manipulated trait can impact human health, especially that of our most vulnerable populations such as pregnant mothers and children.

Act today to stand up for human health, food safety and the environment. Click here to automatically sign your name to a letter that tells the FDA that there are consequences to meddling with nature.

http://action.fooddemocracynow.org/go/247?akid=202.63486.cnGt_Y&t=15

Thank you for participating in food democracy!

– Dave, Lisa and The Food Democracy Now Team

Please consider donating to Food Democracy Now! today – whether it’s $10, $25 or $50. http://fdn.actionkit.com/go/donate/133?akid=202.63486.cnGt_Y&t=18

We rely on folks like you to keep us going and couldn’t do it without you! Thanks again for your support.

Sources:

1. “Aqua Bounty Biotech Salmon OK to Eat-FDA Staff,” Lisa Richwine, Reuters, September 3, 2010.

http://action.fooddemocracynow.org/go/243?akid=202.63486.cnGt_Y&t=20

2. “Methods to Assess Ecological Risks of Transgenic Fish Releases”, William M Muir and Richard D Howard, Genetically Engineered Organisms, Chapter 13, CRC Press 2002.

http://action.fooddemocracynow.org/go/248?akid=202.63486.cnGt_Y&t=22

3. “GE Animals Regulated Under New Animal Drug Provisions”, FDA.gov website, FDA Releases Final Guidance on Genetically Engineered Animals, January 15, 2009.

http://action.fooddemocracynow.org/go/251?akid=202.63486.cnGt_Y&t=24

4. “Modified Salmon is Safe, FDA Says”, Andrew Pollack, The New York Times, September 3, 2010

http://action.fooddemocracynow.org/go/249?akid=202.63486.cnGt_Y&t=26

5. “Enviornmental Assessment for AquAdvantage Salmon”, provided to FDA by Aqua Bounty Technologies Inc., FDA.gov website

http://action.fooddemocracynow.org/go/250?akid=202.63486.cnGt_Y&t=28

6. “Mutant Salmon Coming to a Kitchen Table Near You”, Ariel Schwartz, Fast Company, July 12, 2010

http://action.fooddemocracynow.org/go/244?ak_proof=1&akid=.96984.GhQb69&t=19&akid=202.63486.cnGt_Y&t=30

7. “Would You Eat Genetically Altered Salmon?”, Deniza Gertsberg, AlterNet.com, September 11, 2010 http://action.fooddemocracynow.org/go/246?akid=202.63486.cnGt_Y&t=32

1 Comment | agriculture, Healthcare Politics, organic foods, Prevention | Tagged: , , , , , , , , , | Permalink
Posted by Dr. Gina Nick

The Wall Street Reform Bill…Stop FTC Censorship of Science Based Health Information and Nutritional Supplements

May 12, 2010

Below is a reprint of a call to action by the Citizens for Health regarding deceptive language hidden within the Wall Street reform bill that grants the FTC the power to end access to information about the health benefits of the nutritional supplements you rely on.  The provisions relating to this increased legislative power (which incidentally was taken away from the FTC before because they abused it) has already passed the House (H.R.4173) and is now being considered by the Senate Commerce Committee.  Act now  to help stop these provisions from becoming law.

In health,

Dr. Gina

—

Hidden inside the Wall Street reform bill are provisions that would grant the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) the equivalent of extraordinary legislative powers. These provisions have already been passed by the House (H.R. 4173) and are being considered by the Senate Commerce Committee.

If signed into law, this bill would grant the FTC:
Unbridled authority to create rules about “unfair or deceptive acts or practices” across all but a few sectors of the American economy;

Power to seek immediate civil penalties for “unfair or deceptive acts or practices without first giving companies the opportunity to change their practices”;

Authority to go after companies for allegedly “aiding and abetting” others in an FTC Act violation, even without actual knowledge of the violation; and

Power to seek such penalties without coordinating with the Justice Department. 

Make no mistake – this is a serious threat to manufacturers, distributors and retailers of dietary supplements, and would censor your access to truthful, science-based information about the positive health effects of supplements, vitamins, herbs, and other natural health products.

The Senate Commerce Committee is ready to act –  click here to send a letter now urging them to oppose this bill.

Examining the impact of this dangerous legislation further shows that delegating such unbridled regulatory authority would harm the economy, limit market innovation, and jeopardize the jobs and products that flow from such innovation. The FTC could use expanded rule-making authority to regulate areas where its involvement would hinder new and emerging business practices, such as internet marketing. The threat of FTC rule-making would lead to the stifling of innovation in the marketplace, stunting growth that would otherwise create a projected 2.6 million new jobs in the internet marketing workforce over the next five years.

Citizens for Health will continue to fight efforts to limit your access to truthful, science-based information about the benefits of supplements – but we need your help.

Click here to contact your senators today and stress the importance of upholding the long-standing safeguards that prevent FTC over-reaching. 

Thanks for making your voice heard,

The Citizens for Health Team

2 Comments | Diet and Disease, Healthcare Politics, Latest Nutritional Research, Nutritional Supplements and Disease | Tagged: , , , , , , , , | Permalink
Posted by Dr. Gina Nick

Protect Local Farmers…Your Health May Depend on It

March 22, 2010

Below is a reprint from Food Democracy Now with a call to action to let the USDA and Department of Justice know that our local farmers must be protected.  Watch out for corporate control of your food! And, please consider a contribution to Food Democracy Now! They offer a balanced perspective on the agriculture industry and work diligently on our behalf to keep the US food supply safe and healthy.  The quality of the food we eat is one of the most important components to health and well-being.

In health,

-Dr. G

—
The evidence is in: America’s food system is broken. Every week we read about record-breaking food safety recalls, a spiraling childhood obesity epidemic, and the continued loss of independent family farmers.

All of these problems can be traced back to one thing: excessive consolidation by Big, corporate food. But change may be on the way.

Recently, the Departments of Justice and Agriculture held their first joint workshop here in Iowa to gather evidence of antitrust violations in food and agriculture.(1) We were encouraged by the workshop, the first of five to be held this year,(2) but also concerned that the same companies that have caused these problems were well represented on the panels, while the family farmers most negatively impacted by corporate food monopolies were only given the opportunity to speak after public officials had left the building.

Even though these workshops are an important first step, real family farmers must have a seat at the table. It will take all our voices to ensure that the Justice department holds giant agribusiness accountable.

Please join us and tell the Attorney General Eric Holder and Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack that it’s time to break up America’s corporate food monopolies before they do more harm.

http://fdn.actionkit.com/go/bust_up_big_food/124?akid=112.63486.P_0Wpl&t=7

The aisles of most American grocery stores give an overwhelming illusion of choice when it comes to our food. A closer look, however, quickly reveals that most of the meat, grain, milk — and even the grocery stores themselves — are all owned and controlled by just a few corporations.

The figures are startling:
• A single company (Monsanto) controls the seeds of 93% of soybeans and 80% of the corn grown in the U.S.(3)

• 4 companies (Tyson, Cargill, Swift & National Beef Packing Co.) control 83% of the beef packing industry(4)

• 4 companies (Smithfield, Tyson, Swift & Cargill) control 66% of the pork packing industry

For too long now, food and agricultural production has been consolidated into the hands of a few agribusiness giants. These companies dictate to us how our food is produced, how much farmers are paid for their crops and livestock and how much consumers pay for food.

Food Democracy Now! participated in last week’s workshop. We heard Attorney General Eric Holder talk about the “reckless deregulation that has restricted competition in agriculture” and promise that the Department of Justice, under his watch, was committed to “vigorous enforcement” of U.S. antitrust laws.

But given the power of the companies on the other side, we know that the change we need will not come easily. We must stand together and make our voices heard in favor of a fair and democratic food system!

Please support Secretary Vilsack and Attorney General Holder as they move forward. Join them today in pushing for real enforcement of U.S. antitrust laws and an end to America’s food monopolies. It only takes a moment. And after you’ve signed the petition, please ask your friends and family to do the same.

http://fdn.actionkit.com/go/bust_up_big_food/124?akid=112.63486.P_0Wpl&t=9

P.S. The next hearing will be in Normal, Alabama on May 21st 2010, and will focus on the poultry industry, followed by a hearing on the notoriously concentrated dairy industry in Madison, Wisconsin on June 7th. We’ll be sure to keep you informed.

Sources:
1. US pledges to probe, bust agribusiness monopolies, Reuters, March 12, 2010
http://fdn.actionkit.com/go/125?akid=112.63486.P_0Wpl&t=12

2. Department of Justice, Antitrust Division, Public Workshops, Agriculture and Antitrust Enforcement Issues in Our 21st Century Economy
http://fdn.actionkit.com/go/94?akid=112.63486.P_0Wpl&t=14

3. Monsanto’s dominance draws antitrust inquiry, Patented seeds are go-to for farmers, who decry their fast-growing price, The Washington Post, November 29, 2009
http://fdn.actionkit.com/go/95?akid=112.63486.P_0Wpl&t=16

4. 2007 Concentration of Agricultural Markets report, compiled by Mary Hendrickson and William Heffernan of University of Missouri Department of Rural Sociology.

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Posted by Dr. Gina Nick

Take Action Today on the Healthcare Bill!

March 16, 2010

US Healthcare Bill- Make Your Voice Heard!

I am reprinting an action statement from the Alliance for Natural Health USA about the upcoming vote on the healthcare bill.  It lists the elected representatives that still have the potential to vote “NO” on the bill as it is written.  We may only have until this Thursday to make our voices heard, so please, if you are interested in maintaining your freedom in healthcare choices and access to natural healthcare, TAKE ACTION now!

In health,

Dr. G

—

Make Your Voice Heard on the Healthcare Bills!

March 16, 2010

After months of negotiating and back-door dealing, Congress is set to pass industry-friendly healthcare legislation at the expense of consumer choice. Please contact your elected representative today and tell him or her to vote NO on the healthcare bill!

The House of Representatives is expected to pass the Senate healthcare bill along with separate “fixes” as early as Thursday. If passed, the Senate will then vote on the fixes shortly thereafter. This may be your last chance to make your voice heard.

There are a few key representatives who will make or break the healthcare bill, because for one reason or another, their votes remain uncertain and subject to change. If you see your elected official listed below, it’s particularly critical you contact them today and tell them to vote no on this version of healthcare reform.

Members who voted no last time but haven’t said what they would do this time include:

Rep. Brian Baird (D-WA)

Rep. Rick Boucher (D-VA)

Rep. Bart Gordon (D-TN)

Rep. Suzanne Kosmas (D-FL)

Rep. Frank Kratovil (D-MD)

Rep. Michael McMahon (D-NY)

Rep. Walt Minnick (D-ID)

Rep. Scott Murphy (D-NY)

Rep. Glenn Nye (D-VA)

Rep. John Tanner (D-TN)

Members who voted yes last time but are in districts unfriendly to this bill and might be swayed to vote no:

Rep. Mike Arcuri (D-NY)

Rep. Tim Bishop (D-NY)

Rep. Christopher Carney (D-PA)

Rep. Kathy Dahlkemper (D-PA)

Rep. Steven Driehaus (D-OH)

Rep. Bill Foster (D-IL)

Rep. Gabrielle Giffords (D-AZ)

Rep. Alan Grayson (D-FL)

Rep. John Hall (D-NY)

Rep. Baron Hill (D-IN)

Rep. Jim Hines (D-CT)

Rep. Steve Kagen (D-WI)

Rep. Paul Kanjorski (D-PA)

Rep. Mary Jo Kilroy (D-OH)

Rep. Ann Kirkpatrick (D-AZ)

Rep. Dan Maffei (D-NY)

Rep. Jerry McNerney (D-CA)

Rep. Harry Mitchell (D-AZ)

Rep. Alan Mollohan (D-WV)

Rep. Patrick Murphy (D-PA)

Rep. Bill Owens (D-NY)

Rep. Tom Perriello (D-VA)

Rep. Gary Peters (D-MI)

Rep. Earl Pomeroy (D-ND)

Rep. Nick Rahall (D-WV)

Rep. John Salazar (D-CO)

Rep. Mark Schauer (D-MI)

Rep. Carol Shea-Porter (D-NH)

Rep. Zach Space (D-OH)

Rep. John Spratt (D-SC)

Rep. Dina Titus (D-NV)

This is a list of representatives who are uncertain because of their concerns about abortion (some of these will overlap with last list):

Rep. Anh Cao (R, LA)

Rep. Jerry Costello (D-IL)

Rep. Kathy Dahlkemper (D-PA)

Rep. Joe Donnelly (D-IN)

Rep. Steve Driehaus (D-OH)

Rep. Brad Ellsworth (D-IN)

Rep. Marcy Kaptur (D-OH)

Rep. Dale Kildee (D-MI)

Rep. Dan Lipinski (D-IL)

Rep. James Oberstar (D-MN)

Rep. Bart Stupak (D-MI)

Rep. Charles Wilson (D-OH)

A brief recap of why we oppose this bill:

1) The government defines health and healthcare and health insurance. This is an open invitation for special interests such as drug and medical equipment makers and even the American Medial Association (AMA) to take even tighter control of your medical options.

2) The government forces you (on penalty of fine and even jail) to buy government approved health insurance policies that will not provide any access to natural medicine. Catastrophic policies, health savings accounts (HSAs), and other ways to buy natural medicine services will be destroyed.

3) Health records will be electronic and neither you nor your doctor will have any privacy (the privacy of the doctor-patient relationship is not protected).

4) The language is ambiguous, but it may be illegal even to pay your doctor separately in cash for natural medical services.

5) The bills are paid for with “smoke and mirrors” and will increase the budget deficit over time, but we leave these considerations to others.

Please contact your elected representatives (both senate and house but especially the house right now). Although the house will vote first, the senate may follow immediately thereafter, so it is best to send a message to both chambers right now. Please do not delay. Tell your elected representatives to vote NO on the healthcare bill!

Gretchen DuBeau

Executive Director

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Posted by Dr. Gina Nick

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