We’re learning that “organic” is becoming a meaningless term aside from pesticide use; it does not account for animal and laying hen feeds that can transfer contaminants and supermarkets neglect stocking quality produce where organic can be meaningful e.g. berries ; the Food Safety rehaul will eventually deserve oversight of the relative autonomy agribusiness is allowed; some strides being made monitoring meat and poultry
Very informative and detailed with references! We used to buy everything at the local supermarket. Now we are spending more time and money at either BJs or Costco; BJs is good for organic versions of many staples. The local farmers' markets have been a bit disappointing; surprisingly little organic produce there.
I would imagine that the produce at Farmer’s Markets that is not organic is probably grown fairly clean, if it’s a small farm. Many small farmers don’t want to spend the money and time to get the organic certification, but may not use harmful pesticides or chemicals. All you have to do is ask them how they are growing their food and what are they using to grow that food. One thing about local produce it’s fresh and from your area…also you learn to eat ‘seasonally’.
Well done Dr T! There’s an enormous wealth of basic information in this Substack article. Labeling, whether intentional or not has always been confusing for the consumers. I was in the meat industry for 45 years and we were always frustrated by the constant changes in label regulations, which always caused confusion for customers. Produce is the worst because nobody reads UPC codes let alone know what they mean so great job with that tidbit. Unfortunately, our grain industry is completely compromised! Eat as clean as you can y’all the Lord will do the rest. ✌️
Excellent article, Dr. T. I’ve been eating organic for over 25 years now and all most (90%) meats are bought from local farmers I’ve gotten to know within this time frame!!! Plus there are some great butchers whose opened stores that sell purely pasture raised animals, distinguishing even more so with organic pasture raised. Eating this way really makes a difference in how you feel in every way!!! So many people refuse to pay more for organic or true pasture raised, but they don’t even associate all the drugs they are in for stomach issues, headaches, sleep, etc., etc. They’ll waste money on frivolous things instead of what they eat! As they say, you are what you eat! They ignore the benefits of eating healthy versus their quality of life!
While this article provides useful information, a few essential facts have been omitted
- Larger, corporate-owned "organic" operations have been caught cheating- not adhering to the USDA standards required for their organic label. Certifiers are human, and larger operations can,
and have, 'influenced' them.
- Smaller independent farms cannot afford the time and expense of the paperwork and inspections required for them too be able to market their products as 'USDA Certified Organic'.
That said, organic produce, meats, eggs, and products from the dairy are much better option than "conventional" industrialized agriculture method the USDA, using our tax dollars, has been promoting since the not-so 'Green Revolution'.
Promoted as the way to "end world hunger", the 'Green Revolution' was a marketing program for product of the Military Industrial Complex. Nerve agents became insecticides and anti-parasitics. Nitrogen explosives became fertilizer. Bush runway soil hardeners, too. A tank cleaning agent
was patented as an antibiotic, and an herbicide: glyphosate.
A better option is to look around for independent farms in your local or regional area. Farms that
care about the land, their livestock, and wildlife on their farms. Farmers who live on the land, and raise
their families there.
Many of these use organic practices. A lot of them are 'beyond organic' - adhering to higher standards than the USDA requires.
You can find them at Farmers Markets - but many are too small, or don't have the time to attend,
or there may not be room at the more popular markets.
Other ways to find small farms raising animals using eco-farming methods:
And actually depending on where you live you don’t have to ship meat to yourself. There are many small local farmers all over the country, that are raising beef cattle, chickens and pigs, that you can buy directly from them. And many are wising up and creating PMA’s Private Membership Associations to skirt around USDA and local County rules and regulations. You pay a small ‘one time membership fee or small monthly membership fee’ to be a ‘member’ and then buy directly from the farmer.
What you said is what I noted in a comment to another comment above. Many small farmers can’t nor do they want to go through the ‘certification’ process, for a myriad of reasons. They may likely be using organic growing methods, but just aren’t certified.
I said to ask these local farmers who are selling at these farmers markets, (who aren’t labeling themselves as ‘organic’), how they grow their food and what do they use on the food they grow.
This is something people do get wiser about as they start eating organically and seek out more locally raised meat, vegetables and fruits, and brands that have been committed to cleaner eating. Once you make the switch and continue to educate yourself you also notice how the quality is so much better by food raised by local farmers and now many places have the farmers markets! Plus there are grocers who work hard to make sure their food is above and beyond the big box stores and make sure their food is the quality they expect it to be. Also speak to the produce managers and ask them if they can bring in organically raised produce. I’ve done that and they were happy to accommodate me. It’s easy to tell the difference in taste. One of the worst conventional crops to eat are white russet potatoes!!! They are very heavily sprayed and toxic. We had a nearby farm who grew potatoes for Frito Lay and they said they wouldn’t never eat them as they are so heavily sprayed.
Thank you for the additional ideas on obtaining better quality food than what is generally offered at grocery stores and supermarkets. It's ideal to support independent market gardeners selling produce they grow. And meats, egg, and milk from small farm that avoid synthetic chemicals and practice 'beyond organic' methods... but asking for and choosing local food and USDA organic over conventional chemical-dependent options does send a powerful message in a language corporations understand: $.
---
Yet, unless we are fortunate enough to live where there are independent food stores or butcher shops (government agencies have been regulating and harassing those out of business, along with independent farms and meat harvesting facilities) - aren't we still supporting corporate control of our food?
You are welcome. I don't believe we are supporting corporate control. The grocers in our area where you may consider them corporate because they are a chain, are very open to bringing in food sourced by local farmers and they indicate which farms it comes from as far as produce. I drive 45 minutes one way to pick up my milk from a raw milk herdshare and then in the summer I get all the produce from the farmers in the area growing it, including the Amish. Plus we have our own chickens for eggs, and also grow our own vegetables in the summer. I know there are some organic, pasture raised options for ordering quality meats online and people I know who've used them say they are very high quality. What state are you in?
We're in northern New England. Whatever we don't raise ourselves, or gather from the 'volunteer vegetables' most people call weeds, we buy from local farms -
or order from places like Amos Miller's Organ Farm, Nourished by Nature, Polyface Farm, or White Oak Pastures - who ship.
It's rare for us to buy food at a supermarket, but when we do, or when buying a few other basics, we usually shop at a local independent grocery store. Probably 90-95% of our food is not from the corporate food system.
One of the 'problems' with eating food grown in a truly organic eco-ag way is that it's hard to go bac to the juk sold in stores. :-)
I completely agree with you, but I’ve been fortunate to find produce managers who really care what they are getting in. Did you happen to hear how Amos Miller’s court hearing went on the unconstitutional raid? I haven’t bought from him, but will if my sources are ever unavailable. I’ll be planting my various lettuces today!!! There is nothing like fresh lettuce! Last year I was able to pick it the first week of May. So planting this early in March we may be able to pick it at the end of April if it stays nice! We have some good independents, but I also use Earthfare who is an organic chain, but they get great produce. It all depends on availability. They are sticklers about clean food. I have gotten to be friends with their produce managers so we talk whenever I stop in.
I was told by farmers that potatoes used to be treated with a chemical compound after harvest to delay sprouting and/or greening. Not sure which compound, or if this is still done. Since we don't eat foods high in starch anymore, and avoid the nightshade family due to subsequent inflammation and pain, we haven't looked into this further.
Thanks again, Dr. Tenpenny, for all the good work you do!
You are welcome!!! I remember when I was speaking to some butchers at one of the grocery stores I frequent and they were very concerned about the toxicity of them now and not to buy them!!!! So since I can't get my family to quit buying them, I always make the mashed potatoes with organic potatoes!!!!!
The article, already longer than I like to post for substack. It was not intended to be an all-inclusive book. Did you read my comment about length of an article? But thank you for your addition.
Yes, and I addressed article length in my reply to your reply. :-) Do hope you will consider applying your skills to addressing the food access and quality topic further one day... In your 'spare' time. lol! Best regards-
The useful information you provide in each an every one of your articles is greatly appreciated. Regarding concerns about article length, your readers are no doubt well above average in attention span, and don't mind reading an article longer than a tweet.
---
The USDA organic certification program has serious flaws, though food products with that certification do tend to be better options when we are shopping within the corporate-controlled food system.
---
The combination of government control and corporate interests in our food is, however, a serious issue that cannot be resolved by shopping in supermarkets.
The issue may be worth your full attention in another of your wonderful articles.
Attorney Robert Barnes post ruling statement sums up the issues:
"We will be seeking a modification of the injunction to limit its application to Pennsylvania in-state sales and those products permitted by a permit (which is very limited), as well as filing a challenge to the food destruction order and a federal civil rights complaint on behalf of members challenging the Constitutionality of the state's actions. The Secretary of Agriculture of Pennsylvania considers himself the Pope of food for all Americans; unless he blesses it, you can't eat it, or even possess it. That isn't his right to begin with. The state's actions violate the First Amendment, the Fourth Amendment, the Fifth Amendment and the Fourteenth Amendment, as well as the Supremacy Clause, the Commerce Clause, and the Privileges and Immunities Clause. This case will become the defining case for Food Freedom in America. " ---
The FDA, the USDA, and the State ag departments have all seized powers beyond their lawful authority. In the case of Amos Miller, they - obtained and exercised an unlawful warrant (o probable cause, no crime he was supposed to have committed, no sworn affidavit) - seized in excess of $1000,000. worth of food - with no lawful authority to do so - later ordered it all to be destroyed - and forbid him and his family from eating their own food produced on their own farm. ---
The FDA was supposed to prevent adulteration & ensure accuracy in labeling food. Yet the gov agencies, in many cases, require adulteration of food - 'for safety'. ---
The Weston A. Price Foundation and Farm to Consumer Legal Defense Fund can provide information on the pervasiveness of government interference in people producing, obtaining and consuming the foods of their choice. And the war against independent family farms, in favor of a completely corporatized 'food system'. ---
The issues closely parallel the battle for medical freedom against the Medical Industrial Complex. If we are not free to grow, eat, and contract with each other - which includes simply buying and selling - the foods of our choice, directly from whomever we choose, we have no freedom at all. ---- Like breathing and access to clean water, nutritious and uncontaminated food is essential to Life. --- Thank you for your consideration of this issue.
Also please address the fish/seafood debacle. For years I bought 'Atlantic salmon' thinking it was wild caught when I finally found out otherwise. I won't buy farmed seafood so that doesn't leave much choice. Unfortunately I no longer eat much seafood. Unless I'm in an area close to water there isn't much I care to eat, when I do sometimes relent it's usually disappointing at best. TY Dr. T!
Sadly, at this point al the commercially available Atlantic salmon seems to be farmed.
So many rivers along the North American coast that once teemed with salmon in season
no longer support salmon runs. The remaining fish in most ponds, lakes, streams, and rivers across the USA are usually too polluted to eat very often. Glyphosate, industrial waste,
and other pollutants are a real concern. But farmed ish are usually worse.
It’s really easy….only buy WILD CAUGHT! Get to know your butchers!! If it says sustainably raised it farm raised!!! There are seafood stores who sell mostly wild caught! Ask them if you can’t differentiate it! Atlantic Salmon has always been farm raised! Even one of my local grocers brings in fresh wild caught several times a week if I can’t get to the seafood store!! But it comes down to asking!!!!!
yes, was right to limit length but could be several articles in a series like Midwestern Doctor does. I'm an non-certified organic grower of meat, veg, egg, dairy and fruit products, that's why I read through the article. It was clear you had to cut the section on veg short, only a paragraph. The glaring omission or even error was that USDA organic certified veg have to be grown in the ground: they do not and that is a terrible loophole. Same for berries: most 'organic' berries are hydroponically grown, no where near the soil. This matters because part of the nutrient density of foods comes from the microorganisms in the soil as they metabolize soil minerals.
Fruit and grains were also overlooked for your understandable reasons. The Dirty Dozen (fruits and veg) and the Clean Fifteen are two lists produced and updated annually by and organic food watchdog. Bionutrient Food Institute is doing research right now to be able to identify the nutrient density of various whole foods with a hand-held scanner. Maybe you could interview their ED, Dan Kittredge.
Really, “sorry, chill woman.” That is so disrespectful! Read my comment , it is very simple!!!!!!!! But YOU need to make the effort to educate yourself!
I didn't mean to be harsh but seems I get so many comments and personal emails saying, "good, but you didn't talk about......" or "nice work, BUT you should have also included......"
It's super hard to know where to draw the line on some topics. As a writer, there's a rule of thumb that 400 words on a Word document equals about 1 page of a printed book. I refuse to write substacks equivalent to 30+ pages of a book. Most people are busy, read the work of several, if not many, writers.
I want to give the reader something of value about topics that have 300+ page books written on the subject!! You have to decide where to draw the line. Food topics are of great current interest but the topic is wide and actually MASSIVE. So many different directions and rabbit holes.
Sometimes it takes me several days of research and writing to put these together (other substackers would agree - except those who treat substack like it's twitter - posting every thought that passes across their mind~!!!)
I'm probably over-sensitive about it. Apologies! ;)
Speaking of rabbit holes ... you didn't talk about rabbits at all your essay ;-)
Just kidding of course. Great thanks for a fact filled piece that I will share with loved ones. Keep up the great work, I have followed you for decades! ~~ j ~~
Dr. T, I am completely with you! You are not over-sensitive!!! People need to take responsibility to learn more themselves and quit criticizing someone who just spent all this time on a great, informative article!!!!!!!!!! I’ve been doing this over 25 years and it's all on me! No one else!
Off the organic topic but on the labeling topic, why does it seem nobody is passing on information concerning "Bio Engineered" ingredients in food, primarily, as far as I can tell, in baked goods? Are they safe?
I'm writing about this. The research I did was for a 2000 word substack turned into a 44 page paper!! whole new rabbit hole I'm going down these days about vaccines already in our food.... probably be out this fall
That put you way ahead, compared to just eating whatever the corporate ag 'food system' provides. By supporting local agriculture, you are also preserving options - for yourself, and everyone in your area. Bravo!
We’re learning that “organic” is becoming a meaningless term aside from pesticide use; it does not account for animal and laying hen feeds that can transfer contaminants and supermarkets neglect stocking quality produce where organic can be meaningful e.g. berries ; the Food Safety rehaul will eventually deserve oversight of the relative autonomy agribusiness is allowed; some strides being made monitoring meat and poultry
Resource:
Jason Matyas
Founder, Seeds for Generations
updates@seedsforgenerations.com
https://www.seedsforgenerations.com
Seeds for Generations, PO Box 60, Newport, VA 24128, United States
Resource:
Weston A. Price Foundation restore nutrient-dense foods to the human diet through education, research and activism.
https://www.westonaprice.org
Current Legislation in Tennessee to protect consumers from mRNA Injected Products.
Other states have similar proposals that must be brought forth to passed laws.
https://www.westonaprice.org/tn-action-alert-protect-livestock-from-mandatory-vaccinations-hearings-3-5-3-6/#gsc.tab=0
Very informative and detailed with references! We used to buy everything at the local supermarket. Now we are spending more time and money at either BJs or Costco; BJs is good for organic versions of many staples. The local farmers' markets have been a bit disappointing; surprisingly little organic produce there.
I would imagine that the produce at Farmer’s Markets that is not organic is probably grown fairly clean, if it’s a small farm. Many small farmers don’t want to spend the money and time to get the organic certification, but may not use harmful pesticides or chemicals. All you have to do is ask them how they are growing their food and what are they using to grow that food. One thing about local produce it’s fresh and from your area…also you learn to eat ‘seasonally’.
Well done Dr T! There’s an enormous wealth of basic information in this Substack article. Labeling, whether intentional or not has always been confusing for the consumers. I was in the meat industry for 45 years and we were always frustrated by the constant changes in label regulations, which always caused confusion for customers. Produce is the worst because nobody reads UPC codes let alone know what they mean so great job with that tidbit. Unfortunately, our grain industry is completely compromised! Eat as clean as you can y’all the Lord will do the rest. ✌️
Excellent article, Dr. T. I’ve been eating organic for over 25 years now and all most (90%) meats are bought from local farmers I’ve gotten to know within this time frame!!! Plus there are some great butchers whose opened stores that sell purely pasture raised animals, distinguishing even more so with organic pasture raised. Eating this way really makes a difference in how you feel in every way!!! So many people refuse to pay more for organic or true pasture raised, but they don’t even associate all the drugs they are in for stomach issues, headaches, sleep, etc., etc. They’ll waste money on frivolous things instead of what they eat! As they say, you are what you eat! They ignore the benefits of eating healthy versus their quality of life!
Love to hear about the food anyone ate that wasn’t organic???
Thank you for your endless research on behalf of our health. That link to the ASPCA is such a valuable resource.
While this article provides useful information, a few essential facts have been omitted
- Larger, corporate-owned "organic" operations have been caught cheating- not adhering to the USDA standards required for their organic label. Certifiers are human, and larger operations can,
and have, 'influenced' them.
- Smaller independent farms cannot afford the time and expense of the paperwork and inspections required for them too be able to market their products as 'USDA Certified Organic'.
That said, organic produce, meats, eggs, and products from the dairy are much better option than "conventional" industrialized agriculture method the USDA, using our tax dollars, has been promoting since the not-so 'Green Revolution'.
Promoted as the way to "end world hunger", the 'Green Revolution' was a marketing program for product of the Military Industrial Complex. Nerve agents became insecticides and anti-parasitics. Nitrogen explosives became fertilizer. Bush runway soil hardeners, too. A tank cleaning agent
was patented as an antibiotic, and an herbicide: glyphosate.
A better option is to look around for independent farms in your local or regional area. Farms that
care about the land, their livestock, and wildlife on their farms. Farmers who live on the land, and raise
their families there.
Many of these use organic practices. A lot of them are 'beyond organic' - adhering to higher standards than the USDA requires.
You can find them at Farmers Markets - but many are too small, or don't have the time to attend,
or there may not be room at the more popular markets.
Other ways to find small farms raising animals using eco-farming methods:
https://www.eatwild.com/products/index.html
RealMilk.com
Or check the Farm & Garden section of Craigslist.
Independent farms that ship high quality meats and other products:
White Oak Pastures, Georgia
Polyface Farms, Virginia
Nourished by Nature, North Dakota
Remember - these hardworking people cannot offer cheap meats and other products as
"loss leaders" to get people in to buy high markup items like cleaning products, deodorant,
and shampoo.
The quality and flavor of eggs from hen roaming on pasture, eating bugs and grubs along with
tender weeds and seeds is far superior to the watery, pale eggs from the supermarket.
Beef, lamb, pork, and milk products from animals living on the land, eating their species-appropriate
diet - without drugs, chemicals, rBGH, or mRNA injections - it's worth the price.
And actually depending on where you live you don’t have to ship meat to yourself. There are many small local farmers all over the country, that are raising beef cattle, chickens and pigs, that you can buy directly from them. And many are wising up and creating PMA’s Private Membership Associations to skirt around USDA and local County rules and regulations. You pay a small ‘one time membership fee or small monthly membership fee’ to be a ‘member’ and then buy directly from the farmer.
What you said is what I noted in a comment to another comment above. Many small farmers can’t nor do they want to go through the ‘certification’ process, for a myriad of reasons. They may likely be using organic growing methods, but just aren’t certified.
I said to ask these local farmers who are selling at these farmers markets, (who aren’t labeling themselves as ‘organic’), how they grow their food and what do they use on the food they grow.
This is something people do get wiser about as they start eating organically and seek out more locally raised meat, vegetables and fruits, and brands that have been committed to cleaner eating. Once you make the switch and continue to educate yourself you also notice how the quality is so much better by food raised by local farmers and now many places have the farmers markets! Plus there are grocers who work hard to make sure their food is above and beyond the big box stores and make sure their food is the quality they expect it to be. Also speak to the produce managers and ask them if they can bring in organically raised produce. I’ve done that and they were happy to accommodate me. It’s easy to tell the difference in taste. One of the worst conventional crops to eat are white russet potatoes!!! They are very heavily sprayed and toxic. We had a nearby farm who grew potatoes for Frito Lay and they said they wouldn’t never eat them as they are so heavily sprayed.
Thank you for the additional ideas on obtaining better quality food than what is generally offered at grocery stores and supermarkets. It's ideal to support independent market gardeners selling produce they grow. And meats, egg, and milk from small farm that avoid synthetic chemicals and practice 'beyond organic' methods... but asking for and choosing local food and USDA organic over conventional chemical-dependent options does send a powerful message in a language corporations understand: $.
---
Yet, unless we are fortunate enough to live where there are independent food stores or butcher shops (government agencies have been regulating and harassing those out of business, along with independent farms and meat harvesting facilities) - aren't we still supporting corporate control of our food?
You are welcome. I don't believe we are supporting corporate control. The grocers in our area where you may consider them corporate because they are a chain, are very open to bringing in food sourced by local farmers and they indicate which farms it comes from as far as produce. I drive 45 minutes one way to pick up my milk from a raw milk herdshare and then in the summer I get all the produce from the farmers in the area growing it, including the Amish. Plus we have our own chickens for eggs, and also grow our own vegetables in the summer. I know there are some organic, pasture raised options for ordering quality meats online and people I know who've used them say they are very high quality. What state are you in?
We're in northern New England. Whatever we don't raise ourselves, or gather from the 'volunteer vegetables' most people call weeds, we buy from local farms -
or order from places like Amos Miller's Organ Farm, Nourished by Nature, Polyface Farm, or White Oak Pastures - who ship.
It's rare for us to buy food at a supermarket, but when we do, or when buying a few other basics, we usually shop at a local independent grocery store. Probably 90-95% of our food is not from the corporate food system.
One of the 'problems' with eating food grown in a truly organic eco-ag way is that it's hard to go bac to the juk sold in stores. :-)
I completely agree with you, but I’ve been fortunate to find produce managers who really care what they are getting in. Did you happen to hear how Amos Miller’s court hearing went on the unconstitutional raid? I haven’t bought from him, but will if my sources are ever unavailable. I’ll be planting my various lettuces today!!! There is nothing like fresh lettuce! Last year I was able to pick it the first week of May. So planting this early in March we may be able to pick it at the end of April if it stays nice! We have some good independents, but I also use Earthfare who is an organic chain, but they get great produce. It all depends on availability. They are sticklers about clean food. I have gotten to be friends with their produce managers so we talk whenever I stop in.
White russer potato is the only approved GMO potato so no wonder it is different. Thanks for posting about it
I was told by farmers that potatoes used to be treated with a chemical compound after harvest to delay sprouting and/or greening. Not sure which compound, or if this is still done. Since we don't eat foods high in starch anymore, and avoid the nightshade family due to subsequent inflammation and pain, we haven't looked into this further.
Thanks again, Dr. Tenpenny, for all the good work you do!
You are welcome!!! I remember when I was speaking to some butchers at one of the grocery stores I frequent and they were very concerned about the toxicity of them now and not to buy them!!!! So since I can't get my family to quit buying them, I always make the mashed potatoes with organic potatoes!!!!!
The article, already longer than I like to post for substack. It was not intended to be an all-inclusive book. Did you read my comment about length of an article? But thank you for your addition.
Yes, and I addressed article length in my reply to your reply. :-) Do hope you will consider applying your skills to addressing the food access and quality topic further one day... In your 'spare' time. lol! Best regards-
Dear Dr. Tenpenny -
The useful information you provide in each an every one of your articles is greatly appreciated. Regarding concerns about article length, your readers are no doubt well above average in attention span, and don't mind reading an article longer than a tweet.
---
The USDA organic certification program has serious flaws, though food products with that certification do tend to be better options when we are shopping within the corporate-controlled food system.
---
The combination of government control and corporate interests in our food is, however, a serious issue that cannot be resolved by shopping in supermarkets.
The issue may be worth your full attention in another of your wonderful articles.
Sources: https://childrenshealthdefense.org/defender/state-officials-raid-amish-farmer-seize-food-cola/ ---
Attorney Robert Barnes post ruling statement sums up the issues:
"We will be seeking a modification of the injunction to limit its application to Pennsylvania in-state sales and those products permitted by a permit (which is very limited), as well as filing a challenge to the food destruction order and a federal civil rights complaint on behalf of members challenging the Constitutionality of the state's actions. The Secretary of Agriculture of Pennsylvania considers himself the Pope of food for all Americans; unless he blesses it, you can't eat it, or even possess it. That isn't his right to begin with. The state's actions violate the First Amendment, the Fourth Amendment, the Fifth Amendment and the Fourteenth Amendment, as well as the Supremacy Clause, the Commerce Clause, and the Privileges and Immunities Clause. This case will become the defining case for Food Freedom in America. " ---
Barnes can be reached via BarnesLawllp.com or FreeAmericaLawCenter.com ---
His brief for the case: https://media3.locals.com/content/documents/2024-02-24/47656/47656_170880307365da4401c2175.pdf?signToken=st=1709486080~exp=3419144960~acl=/content/documents/2024-02-24/47656/47656_170880307365da4401c2175.pdf*~hmac=9e3f9981bea3e9188d490265881101cbe27e33a61f730f2ea519991a32fbd33c
---
The FDA, the USDA, and the State ag departments have all seized powers beyond their lawful authority. In the case of Amos Miller, they - obtained and exercised an unlawful warrant (o probable cause, no crime he was supposed to have committed, no sworn affidavit) - seized in excess of $1000,000. worth of food - with no lawful authority to do so - later ordered it all to be destroyed - and forbid him and his family from eating their own food produced on their own farm. ---
The FDA was supposed to prevent adulteration & ensure accuracy in labeling food. Yet the gov agencies, in many cases, require adulteration of food - 'for safety'. ---
The Weston A. Price Foundation and Farm to Consumer Legal Defense Fund can provide information on the pervasiveness of government interference in people producing, obtaining and consuming the foods of their choice. And the war against independent family farms, in favor of a completely corporatized 'food system'. ---
The issues closely parallel the battle for medical freedom against the Medical Industrial Complex. If we are not free to grow, eat, and contract with each other - which includes simply buying and selling - the foods of our choice, directly from whomever we choose, we have no freedom at all. ---- Like breathing and access to clean water, nutritious and uncontaminated food is essential to Life. --- Thank you for your consideration of this issue.
And I get it!
Also please address the fish/seafood debacle. For years I bought 'Atlantic salmon' thinking it was wild caught when I finally found out otherwise. I won't buy farmed seafood so that doesn't leave much choice. Unfortunately I no longer eat much seafood. Unless I'm in an area close to water there isn't much I care to eat, when I do sometimes relent it's usually disappointing at best. TY Dr. T!
Sadly, at this point al the commercially available Atlantic salmon seems to be farmed.
So many rivers along the North American coast that once teemed with salmon in season
no longer support salmon runs. The remaining fish in most ponds, lakes, streams, and rivers across the USA are usually too polluted to eat very often. Glyphosate, industrial waste,
and other pollutants are a real concern. But farmed ish are usually worse.
It’s really easy….only buy WILD CAUGHT! Get to know your butchers!! If it says sustainably raised it farm raised!!! There are seafood stores who sell mostly wild caught! Ask them if you can’t differentiate it! Atlantic Salmon has always been farm raised! Even one of my local grocers brings in fresh wild caught several times a week if I can’t get to the seafood store!! But it comes down to asking!!!!!
good griet... this was already 2800 words long. I can't write about EVERY food issue in one substack.
yes, was right to limit length but could be several articles in a series like Midwestern Doctor does. I'm an non-certified organic grower of meat, veg, egg, dairy and fruit products, that's why I read through the article. It was clear you had to cut the section on veg short, only a paragraph. The glaring omission or even error was that USDA organic certified veg have to be grown in the ground: they do not and that is a terrible loophole. Same for berries: most 'organic' berries are hydroponically grown, no where near the soil. This matters because part of the nutrient density of foods comes from the microorganisms in the soil as they metabolize soil minerals.
Fruit and grains were also overlooked for your understandable reasons. The Dirty Dozen (fruits and veg) and the Clean Fifteen are two lists produced and updated annually by and organic food watchdog. Bionutrient Food Institute is doing research right now to be able to identify the nutrient density of various whole foods with a hand-held scanner. Maybe you could interview their ED, Dan Kittredge.
Good points! The USDA organic standards were supposed to be tighten over time. Instead they've been loosened.
We've been waiting for the hand-held nutrient scanner for years. Hope it becomes a practical reality soon.
In the meantime.. keep up the good work producing real, whole, quality food, Ian!
It doesn't have to be here, or now, perhaps a future endeavor. Sorry. Chill woman.
Really, “sorry, chill woman.” That is so disrespectful! Read my comment , it is very simple!!!!!!!! But YOU need to make the effort to educate yourself!
I didn't mean to be harsh but seems I get so many comments and personal emails saying, "good, but you didn't talk about......" or "nice work, BUT you should have also included......"
It's super hard to know where to draw the line on some topics. As a writer, there's a rule of thumb that 400 words on a Word document equals about 1 page of a printed book. I refuse to write substacks equivalent to 30+ pages of a book. Most people are busy, read the work of several, if not many, writers.
I want to give the reader something of value about topics that have 300+ page books written on the subject!! You have to decide where to draw the line. Food topics are of great current interest but the topic is wide and actually MASSIVE. So many different directions and rabbit holes.
Sometimes it takes me several days of research and writing to put these together (other substackers would agree - except those who treat substack like it's twitter - posting every thought that passes across their mind~!!!)
I'm probably over-sensitive about it. Apologies! ;)
Speaking of rabbit holes ... you didn't talk about rabbits at all your essay ;-)
Just kidding of course. Great thanks for a fact filled piece that I will share with loved ones. Keep up the great work, I have followed you for decades! ~~ j ~~
Dr. T, I am completely with you! You are not over-sensitive!!! People need to take responsibility to learn more themselves and quit criticizing someone who just spent all this time on a great, informative article!!!!!!!!!! I’ve been doing this over 25 years and it's all on me! No one else!
Those agencies should be eliminated, and a simple replacement should be implemented.
Those agencies are polio and do the bidding of deep state
Off the organic topic but on the labeling topic, why does it seem nobody is passing on information concerning "Bio Engineered" ingredients in food, primarily, as far as I can tell, in baked goods? Are they safe?
I'm writing about this. The research I did was for a 2000 word substack turned into a 44 page paper!! whole new rabbit hole I'm going down these days about vaccines already in our food.... probably be out this fall
Thank you or your efforts on the topic of food- and the untested safety of 'bioengineered' food. We look forward to your article on the topic. You do
an excellent job of making complex topics understandable, without 'dumbing down' the information. Kudos!
Thank you, for this all.
Speaking of all toxins in our environment, myself is always reminded of this Bible verse -
“They shall eat, drink and breathe poison and flourish.”
Edited the verse and removed the word, “not” , etc…cheers!
Don't forget about the USDA's National Bio and Agro-Defense Facility (NBAF) in Manhattan, Kansas.
That put you way ahead, compared to just eating whatever the corporate ag 'food system' provides. By supporting local agriculture, you are also preserving options - for yourself, and everyone in your area. Bravo!