Overconsumption—A Look at How Unsustainable Our Eating Habits Have
Become
March 01, 2014
Story at-a-glance
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Modern food production involves animal cruelty on a scale
never seen before
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Most all conventional meat and poultry is raised in
so-called confined animal feeding operations (CAFOs), where
the animals are fed unnatural diets and live under crowded,
filthy, and cruel conditions
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The routine use of antibiotics for growth-promotion purposes
has led to the rapid rise of antibiotic-resistant superbugs
that now threaten human life
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Chick-fil-A recently announced it will switch to
antibiotic-free chicken within the next five years
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Conventionally-raised meats, beef in particular, also
contain a range of other drugs. A USDA report reveals beef
sold to the American public have been found to be
contaminated with 211 different drug residues
By Dr. Mercola
The featured video, Overconsumption, is a segment of a
longer, completely non-verbal documentary called SAMSARA,
which was filmed over a period of five years, across 25 countries.
"By dispensing with dialogue and descriptive text,
SAMSARA subverts our expectations of a traditional documentary,
instead encouraging our own inner interpretations inspired by
images and music that infuses the ancient with the modern."
Indeed, the effect is striking. This clip, which focuses on
overconsumption, highlights just how unsustainable our eating habits
have become. Modern food production also involves animal cruelty on
a scale never seen before in the history of mankind.
Do You Know How Your Food Is Produced?
Most all conventional meat and poultry (beef, pork, chicken,
turkey, etc.) is raised in so-called
confined animal feeding operations (CAFOs). Large-scale factory
farming is the cheapest way to raise meat, for the largest profits.
But the ultimate price is high, as there's a complete disregard for
human health, the environment, and ethical treatment of animals.
These huge industrial "warehouses" raise sick animals (due to the
overcrowded, unhygienic conditions) that are routinely injected with
antibiotics and artificial hormones.
They are also fed pesticide-laden grains and other byproducts for
their feed. All of the additives to the animals (the antibiotics,
hormones, and pesticides) get transferred to you when you eat that
meat. The routine use of antibiotics in particular has led to the
rapid rise of
antibiotic-resistant superbugs that now threaten human life.
According to a landmark "Antibiotic Resistance Threat Report"
published by the CDC,1
two million Americans become infected with antibiotic-resistant
bacteria each year, and at least 23,000 of them die as a direct
result of those infections. Even more die from complications.
Chick-Fil-A Switches to Antibiotic-Free Chicken
There are glimmers of hope here and there. For example,
Chick-fil-A recently announced it will switch to antibiotic-free
chicken within the next five years.2
As reported by KCTV5:
"The Atlanta-based chain said it's working with suppliers
to build up an adequate supply for its nearly 1,800 restaurants.
It is asking suppliers to work with the US Department of
Agriculture to verify that no antibiotics are administered on
the chickens at any point...
Chick-fil-A said its conversion will require 'changes
along every point of the supply chain - from the hatchery to the
processing plant.' The company's suppliers include Tyson,
Purdue, and Pilgrim's Pride. "
However, while this addresses the health hazards of
antibiotic-laced meat, it does not address the animal welfare issue,
which is so clearly illustrated in the featured video.
Conventionally-raised meats, beef in particular, also contain a
range of other drugs. Martha Rosenberg recently highlighted
a USDA Inspector General Report,3
which revealed that beef sold to the public have been found to be
contaminated with4,
5 a staggering 211 different drug residues, including
Ivermectin, an antiparasite drug; Flunixin, a nonsteroidal
anti-inflammatory, and heavy metals. Despite the presence of such
contaminations, no recalls were ever issued. She writes:
"The highest of all veterinary drug residues are found in
bob veal (calves under three days old that weigh only 70 to 100
pounds) says the
USDA
Inspector General report, because 'Farmers are prohibited
from selling milk for human consumption from cows that have been
medicated with antibiotics (as well as other drugs) until the
withdrawal period is over; so instead of just disposing of this
tainted milk, producers feed it to their calves.
When the calves are slaughtered, the drug residue from
the feed or milk remains in their meat, which is then sold to
consumers.' Meat from bob calves is put into 'value added' veal
products like veal sausages and breaded veal patties. Is there
any other food that is so dangerous and cruel at the same time?"
Antibiotics Are Not the Only Troublesome Growth Promoters in US Food
Supply
Low-dose antibiotics are routinely fed to animals to promote
growth, but they're certainly not the only growth-promoting drugs in
use. Beta-agonist drugs such as
Zilmax belong to a class of non-hormone drugs used as a growth
promoter in American livestock. As a class, beta-agonist drugs have
been used in US cattle production since 2003.
Ractopamine, another beta-agonist, is yet another drug used in
the US, even though it's been banned in 160 other countries due to
its potential health hazards. Beta-agonist drugs like Ractopamine
and Zilmax are fed to cattle in the weeks prior to slaughter to
increase weight by as much as 30 pounds of lean meat per cow. As
much as 20 percent of the drug administered may remain in the meat
you buy.
A recent special report by Reuters6
revealed some of the horrific effects Zilmax has on cattle, which
includes lost hooves and lameness. According to Food and Drug
Administration (FDA) records, at least 285 cattle have unexpectedly
died or been euthanized after receiving Zilmax since the drug's
introduction in 2007. Other reported adverse effects in cattle
following the administration of Zilmax include:
Stomach ulcers |
Brain lesions |
Blindness |
Lethargy and lameness |
Bloody nose |
Respiratory problems |
Heart failure |
Sudden death |
What Are the Consequences of Relying on CAFOs for Food?
The trend of large corporate-controlled CAFOs making up the
lion's share of US food production has led to an abundance of cheap
food, but not without consequence. Externalized costs of large-scale
factory farming (which are largely unaccounted for in agricultural
productivity measurements or farm budgets) include:
- Loss of water quality through nitrogen and phosphorus
contamination in rivers, streams, and ground water (which
contributes to "dramatic shifts in aquatic ecosystems and
hypoxic zones")
- Agricultural pesticide contamination to streams, ground
water, and wells, and safety concerns to agricultural workers
who use them
- A decline in nutrient density of 43 garden crops (primarily
vegetables), which suggests possible tradeoffs between yield and
nutrient content
- Large emission of greenhouse gases including carbon dioxide
and nitrous oxide
- Negative impact on soil quality through such factors as
erosion, compaction, pesticide application, and excessive
fertilization
The factory farm model also directly contributes to Americans'
increasing reliance on processed
junk foods; the very same foods that are making us obese and
riddled with chronic disease. If your meals consist of $1 burgers
and super-size drinks, your diet may be cheap, but it is also
excessively high in grains,
sugars, and factory-farmed meats. This is a recipe for obesity,
diabetes, and
heart disease, just
to name a few of the conditions that commonly befall those who
consume "the Standard American Diet."
Rethink Your Shopping Habits to Protect Your Family's Health
I believe the movement toward sustainable food and ethical meat
is very important, both in terms of human health and animal welfare.
Organic,
grass-fed and finished meat that is humanely raised and
butchered is really about the only type of meat that is
healthy to eat.
By purchasing your meat from smaller farms that raise their
animals in a humane fashion, according to organic principles, you're
promoting the proliferation of such farms, which in the end will
benefit everyone, including all the animals. The organic industry
also tends to favor far more humane butchering practices, which is
another important part of "ethical meat." The following
organizations can help you locate farm-fresh foods in your local
area that has been raised in a humane, sustainable manner:
- Local Harvest
-- This Web site will help you find farmers' markets, family
farms, and other sources of sustainably grown food in your area
where you can buy produce, grass-fed meats, and many other
goodies.
-
Farmers' Markets -- A national listing of farmers'
markets.
- Eat Well
Guide: Wholesome Food from Healthy Animals -- The
Eat Well Guide is a free online directory of sustainably raised
meat, poultry, dairy, and eggs from farms, stores, restaurants,
inns, and hotels, and online outlets in the United States and
Canada.
- Community
Involved in Sustaining Agriculture (CISA)
-- CISA is dedicated to sustaining agriculture and promoting the
products of small farms.
- FoodRoutes
-- The FoodRoutes "Find Good Food" map can help you connect with
local farmers to find the freshest, tastiest food possible. On
their interactive map, you can find a listing for local farmers,
CSAs, and markets near you.
Stop the Corporate Takeover of Organics
Now, at the nation's largest organic farming conference, the
company will again have a prominent role. This Saturday, at the
MOSES Conference, WhiteWave's corporate representative will seek to
teach farmers how to communicate with organic consumers and
understand "consumer demographics, behaviors, attitudes, and
mindsets."
How will this WhiteWave executive help us better understand
today's organic consumer? Will she encourage us to cheapen
production costs by sourcing feed and ingredients from China or
factory farms? Will she instruct us on how to break contracts with
family farmers? Or market new non-organic products with the same
name and nearly identical packaging that's already familiar to
organic consumers?
For too long Dean Foods/WhiteWave has purchased influence with
many nonprofits running farming conferences across the U.S. and in
the organic community. It's estimated that over the last 10 years,
they have been the largest corporate contributor to organic
nonprofits. They buy influence in the organic community and access
to farmers the same way their lobbyists buy influence in Washington
with large campaign contributions.
Help protect the reputation of the nation's largest organic
farming conference. Please ask the MOSES board to cancel this
inappropriate workshop or substitute marketing expertise from
experts that truly believe in the values that have helped build the
organic business industry.
Copyright 1997- 2014 Dr. Joseph Mercola. All Rights Reserved.
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