RiceThe first GM food crop containing human genes will likely be approved for commercial production shortly. It is a strain of rice that produces some of the human proteins found in breast milk and saliva, which manufacturer Ventria Biosciences believes could be used to treat children with diarrhea.
Ventria has already been given preliminary approval to grow the rice on more than 3,000 acres in Kansas.
Until now, pharmaceutical plants with human-origin genes, which present possible health risks if they become mixed with regular food crops, have been restricted to small test plots.
Many are particularly worried about its use in light of the recent discovery of unapproved genetically engineered traits in the supposedly conventional rice Clearfield CL131. The U.S. Department of Agriculture has told farmers to avoid planting this common variety of rice.
The discovery is of particular concern because the CL131 seeds appear to have taken on the GM traits themselves, rather than having GM seeds from other strains accidentally mixed into the batch.
Twenty-two suppliers were sent emergency action notices in an attempt to block planting and distribution of the seed. Planting generally begins in mid to late March, and some farmers may have to plow under just-planted fields. Clearfield CL131 accounts for more than 16 percent of the United States' long-grain rice.
USA Today March 7, 2007
Saturday, March 24, 2007
Monday, March 19, 2007
Do You Know How Many Toxins are in Potato Chips?
Acrylamide is a dangerous chemical present in foods such as french fries, potato chips, breakfast cereals, cookies and crackers.
But it's difficult to determine exactly how much of the chemical, which is a natural byproduct of cooking starchy food at high temperature, is present in any given food.
High levels of acrylamide in food were first reported in 2002, and, currently, little is known about how acrylamide forms, exactly how it affects people or what to do about it.
No manufacturers provide information on how much acrylamide is present in their products, and the most recent FDA data is more than two years old.
Studies have shown that acrylamide causes cancer in lab mice and rats. The federal limit for acrylamide in drinking water is .5 parts per billion, or about .12 micrograms in an eight-ounce glass of water. However, a six-ounce serving of french fries can contain 60 micrograms of acrylamide.
The Worst Offenders:
* Cape Cod Robust Russet: 910 times
* Kettle Chips (lightly salted): 505 times
* Kettle Chips (honey dijon): 495 times
* Pringles Snack Stacks (pizza-flavored): 170 times
* Lay's Baked: 150 times
For a Healthier Alternative try these:
These new extraordinary sprouted flax crackers are a great source of bio-available enzymes and nutrients, and are rich in Omega-3's
But it's difficult to determine exactly how much of the chemical, which is a natural byproduct of cooking starchy food at high temperature, is present in any given food.
High levels of acrylamide in food were first reported in 2002, and, currently, little is known about how acrylamide forms, exactly how it affects people or what to do about it.
No manufacturers provide information on how much acrylamide is present in their products, and the most recent FDA data is more than two years old.
Studies have shown that acrylamide causes cancer in lab mice and rats. The federal limit for acrylamide in drinking water is .5 parts per billion, or about .12 micrograms in an eight-ounce glass of water. However, a six-ounce serving of french fries can contain 60 micrograms of acrylamide.
The Worst Offenders:
* Cape Cod Robust Russet: 910 times
* Kettle Chips (lightly salted): 505 times
* Kettle Chips (honey dijon): 495 times
* Pringles Snack Stacks (pizza-flavored): 170 times
* Lay's Baked: 150 times
For a Healthier Alternative try these:
These new extraordinary sprouted flax crackers are a great source of bio-available enzymes and nutrients, and are rich in Omega-3's
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