Every year I purchase science and discovery type magazines for my family to read over the Christmas holidays and this year was no exception. An article entitled “Could this Apple Poison Me?” in the Ideas & Discoveries magazine really caught all of our attention.  Education allows us to make informed choices and so I would like to share some of the highlights of this article about imported poisons in our food and the hidden health hazards, with you.

We import over 4 billion pounds of food from China every year at unbeatable prices however we are paying a hidden price in our health. No other country exports food that contains so many toxic substances as China does including lead, aluminum, hepatitis A virus, DDT, glyphosate and formaldehyde just to name a few.

1.4 million tons of pesticide is sprayed by Chinese farmers each year – 3 times more that the amount used in the US. Farmers use at least 27,000 different toxins on their fields. The consequence: They often suffer brain and organ damage. If the farmers use organophosphates, the suicide rate increases fivefold according to the World Health Organization. These toxins make their way to our shores in unlikely known ways such as billions of bread rolls! In particular, large bakeries, supermarkets and convenience stores purchase ready-made dough products from China. 70% of China’s arable land is considered contaminated.

Here is a list of some of the products imported from China and the corresponding toxic content. Take the time to research the consequences of ingesting these toxins for yourself.

• Chicken Nuggets – nitrofuran
• Pears – hexachlorocyclohexane
• Lemons – triazophos
• Peanuts – aflatoxins
• Mushrooms – nicotine
• Garlic – phorate and parathion
• Spinach – indole, skatole and putrescine
• Bread – glyphosate
• Apples – endosulfan and dithiocarbamate
• Strawberries – norovirus and dithiocarbamate
• Chocolate – maggots
• Tea – copper and DDT
• Cabbage – formeldahyde
• Watermelon – forchlorfenuron
• Instant noodles – aluminum
• Rice – cadmium and lead

We have a culture of wanting to get the most for less. On average Americans spend 6% of their household budget on food but cheap food can be hazardous to our health. China is not the only country that uses toxins in the food production chain; it is a world issue for sure. However the sheer volume we import for consumption is a huge concern as is the fact that our labeling does not provide the facts on where all ingredients may come from.

I see clients every week who are dealing with chronic symptoms that no one seems to be able to figure out and the numbers are increasing. Initial sessions address what is stressing the body, mind and spirit which includes environmental and food toxins, life style and patterns of thought.

We vote every day with our dollars. There are so many ways to educate ourselves today and it is time to create change – for ourselves, our families and the planet. Some great websites to reference are:

• Environmental Working Group
• World Health Organization
• The Weston Price Foundation
• The David Suzuki Foundation

What do you do to ensure your food safety? Please share your comments here for all to learn from. Let’s step into the drivers seat. You can connect with me via phone or email, leave a comment right here on the site, or click the contact tab at the bottom of the screen for those of you reading this post on the website.

Until next time,

Karen