The Plot against Organic Food

The plot against organics: Dr. Oz part of an organized, well-funded P.R. propaganda campaign to destroy the organic industry (opinion)

Sunday, December 02, 2012 by Mike Adams, the Health Ranger Editor of NaturalNews.com (See all articles...) (NaturalNews) Dr. Oz's recent attack on organics has left a large number of people shocked at his betrayal of the organic consumer community. Yesterday, his Facebook page was being absolutely inundated with posts from people calling him a "betrayer" and asking why he would attack organics and start promoting feedlot beef and food made with pesticides and GMO. But Dr. Oz's attack on organics is not the action of a lone madman who has lost touch with reality. It's part of a coordinated P.R. campaign that has been organized against organics, Natural News has learned, and it's being run behind the scenes by one of the most prominent P.R. companies in America. Their tactics resemble that of Big Tobacco in the 20th century, which promoted cigarettes by linking them to freedom and "coolness." Today, as Dr. Oz's TIME Magazine article nauseatingly demonstrated, the P.R. strategy is to try to link organics with "elitism" by calling people who eat organics "the snooty 1%." Where did Oz get his talking points? Dr. Oz was not the author of the talking points highlighted in his article, I believe. Those were likely handed to him by the P.R. firm behind the attack on organics, and this same P.R. firm (which shall go un-named for the time being) also has links to the "No on 37" campaign in California that got caught breaking federal law, fabricating FDA quotes and impersonating police organizations in order to steal the vote away from the YES on 37 campaign. The way the plot works is to recruit influential people, then convince them to put their names on highly manipulative, derogatory stories about organics that are placed in mainstream media rags such as TIME Magazine or the New York Times, often dubbed the "toilet paper of record." Roger Cohen at the New York Times recently put his name on a story that called people who eat organics "delusional cult members." That article implied that people who choose organic food suffer from a mental disorder. For that article, Natural News gave him the 2012 Idiot of the Year Award (which, in retrospect, may have been premature as Dr. Oz is definitely in the running now...) The world recently learned that TIME Magazine suffers from hilarious nutritional illiteracy when its own managing editor, Rick Stengel, recently declared that canned food was nutritionally identical to organic food. Click here to listen to Robert Scott Bell and Jerry Doyle break down this outrageously ignorant statement from TIME Magazine's editor. This is all part of the same orchestrated plot against organics that we saw Dr. Oz spewing recently. Dr. Oz joined the ranks of the food sellouts by claiming that people who eat organic foods are "snooty" and "elitist" and even "undemocratic," as if choosing organic food is somehow anti-American. Real Americans eat pesticides and GMOs, Dr. Oz implied! Who is behind this massive P.R. effort to destroy organics? The usual suspects, of course: All the same corporations that were behind the "No on 37" campaign. The near-victory of YES on 37 freaked them out, and they realized they cannot win the GMO labeling issue long term, so the only way to defend their territory and profits is to make healthy food seem un-cool and elitist. It is my belief that Dr. Oz is part of an organized plot to destroy organics. Influential people are being approached and recruited. Mainstream media publication of the hit pieces is being "arranged" at high levels. Talking points are being crafted by master manipulators. And the whole thing is funded by the obvious opponents of organics: Pesticide companies and biotech firms. Why is organic better, actually? Organic certification is one of the best things to come out of the federal government. Run by the USDA, organic certification audits the process of food production, handling and packaging. A farmer who obtains USDA organic certification must be able to prove the he used no synthetic chemicals on his farm. Everything that goes onto the plants -- fertilizer, insecticides, etc. -- must be from a stringent list of acceptable organic items such as neem oil for insect control. This is all audited for compliance, both at the paperwork level (showing purchase receipts, for example) and physically at the farm. At the food formulator and packing level, organic certification means you follow a very stringent process for tracking raw materials, blending food products, packaging and labeling them. Both farmers and food packers are audited once a year by a USDA-approved organic certifier. This includes an on-site inspection which covers detailed requirements including cleaning solutions for machinery and even rodent control. Toxic rat poisons, for example, are not allowed to be used in a certified organic facility. In great contrast to organic food production, a non-organic operation can spray any toxic sludge they wish on crops in the field, including sludge laden with heavy metals. Food packing and handling can take place in a warehouse that's chemically fumigated with toxic, cancer-causing chemicals. There are no requirements that food batches be tracked or tested for possible contamination. A non-organic label means, essentially, "almost anything goes." Because of the requirements of organic certification, organic foods consistently test as far lower in synthetic chemicals, and of course genetically modified foods are not allowed to be labeled "organic" at all. Organic foods are higher in nutrients, and their production method is more kind to the planet because synthetic chemicals are not sprayed on farms and then washed into streams, rivers and oceans. Dr. Oz apparently does not care about any of this. He wants you to eat foods sprayed with synthetic chemicals that pollute the planet. He wants you to eat foods laced with toxic pesticides, herbicides and unknown quantities of heavy metals. He wants you to think that eating more agricultural poison is "cool" and that demanding clean, non-GMO, non-poisoned food is "elitist" and "snooty." Such is the sad truth about a man who has sold out to the propaganda interests of the biotech and pesticide industries. Organic food is "undemocratic," he says, implying that if everybody just ate more GMOs and chemicals, then we'd all be more "equal." Huh? Yeah. That's how warped the P.R. has become on all this: Let's all be equally poisoned and call it "democratic." You are going to see the attack on organics ramped up Watch for more high-level attacks on organics from major newspapers and magazines. Based on the information I have received so far, it appears this P.R. propaganda effort -- which smacks of the tactics of Edward Bernays -- is actively recruiting high-level people who agree to put their names on op-ed pieces that are essentially ghost-written by the biotech industry. It is very common, by the way, for drug companies to ghost-write "scientific" papers that are placed in so-called "science journals" under the names of prominent scientists who are paid to take part in the conspiracy. The pharmaceutical industry got caught red-handed fabricating papers in this way about hormone replacement therapy. So don't think this tactic is unusual. It happens every day in America behind the scenes of the corporations that manufacture toxic vaccines, prescription drugs or GMOs. It's "business as usual" for those who are trying to pretend their poisons are somehow "scientific." Beyond the fraudulent authorship of papers and articles, the P.R. propaganda effort also involves distributing a list of distorted, manipulative talking points to news organizations and TV talk shows. They include points like "organic is elitist" or "not all Americans can afford organic food, therefore it's un-American to recommend organic to everyone." Watch for talking heads on the evening news to start mindlessly repeating these talking points in the days ahead. Natural News is going to call out those who betray organics and sell out to corporate interests As more journalists and celebrities betray the organic movement and put their names onto these propaganda articles, Natural News is going to name them and call them what they are: TRAITORS to the movement, to the planet, to honest agriculture and to the American people. Remember: Organic food is simply honest food. It's real food, the way your parents or grandparents might have grown it. Organic food is grown without pesticides or other synthetic chemicals, and it represents the only real future to sustainable food on our planet. Even more importantly, organic food doesn't promote Alzheimer's, cancer and other diseases like synthetic pesticides do. For people who wish to lead healthy lives free from the disease-causing contamination of synthetic chemicals and cancer-causing GMOs, organic food is the best insurance against developing chronic disease. Anyone who attacks organic foods is attacking health, sustainability and the environment. They betray everything that matters to informed consumers who want to know what they're eating. Any person who attacks organics is a traitor to humanity and a sellout to the Monsantos, DuPonts and Bayers of the world. It is a despicable stance to take, as these companies have been involved in some of the most heinous crimes against humanity ever recorded in the history of the world. Bayer, for example, saw its own chairperson convicted and sentenced for the company's role in Nazi war crimes in World War II. This is partly why Natural News has announced a lifetime boycott of the chemical pesticide companies who committed outright fraud to defeat the GMO labeling ballot measure in California. If you don't support organics, you have no credibility in the realm of health For any person who wishes to retain any credibility whatsoever with the informed public, there is only once acceptable stance on this issue: The whole-hearted support of organic and non-GMO agriculture. Anyone who is not advocating organic farming methods is encouraging the destruction of the environment. Anyone who is not advocating organic food consumption is encouraging chronic disease among the population. Anyone who is not fighting for the full-disclosure labeling of GMOs is selling out humanity to the most evil corporations in the world -- the biotech giants. For a person to have any credibility whatsoever in the realm of health or food, they must first establish that they embrace clean, pesticide-free food (organics) and that they support honest labeling of such foods (GMO labeling). If a person fails on one or both of these counts, they have zero credibility in the realm of health. You will note, by the way, that Dr. Oz never overtly advocated GMO labeling. He invited Jeffrey Smith on his show for a few minutes, then kicked him off the stage to bring on a biotech shill who blatantly lied to Dr. Oz's audience about GMOs. It was all part of elaborate theater to pretend to be "balanced" on the issue while actually pushing a collection of corporate lies about genetically modified foods. Dr. Oz is finished as a person with any credibility among those who are informed. And any other person who puts their name on a P.R. propaganda piece that attacks organics will suffer a similar fate: Widespread ridicule followed by a collapse in their support base (and hence their influence). To announce that you are opposed to organics in 2012 is the moral equivalent of announcing you support Hitler in 1945. The informed public is far beyond the point where they can be manipulated into thinking that eating more pesticides and GMOs is somehow patriotic or even healthy. They're much smarter than that, and any person who attaches their name to this outrageous P.R. propaganda plot to destroy organics is going to see their own credibility and reputation destroyed instead. Good riddance, I say. It's time we stopped listening to quack authority doctors who betray humanity and sell out to corporate interests. Learn more: http://www.naturalnews.com/038172_Dr_Oz_organics_propaganda_campaign.html#ixzz2EWnQapAo

 

Organic Milk vs. Processed Milk

Hi all it's been a while since my last post, however I found this great article written by Solorya, and I just had to share this with you guys for those who probably missed it. This was a well researched and written article about milk and some important facts that we all should take into consideration when we buy milk, so happy reading all this one is good...

What Is Organic Milk?
When you shop in your dairy section you might see regular milk on sale for dirt cheap, and then organic, hormone free milk advertised at twice the price. Why is this type of milk more expensive, and is it worth your extra money? Are there any health benefits (or detriments) to buying either type? What does "certified organic" mean?

This article aims to bring to you the information and facts I have found--on both sides of the argument--and let you decide for yourself. Before I delve into the pros and cons of organic vs. regular, lets define what "organic milk" really is.

According the the United Stated Department of Agriculture organic milk must meet 4 criteria in order to be labeled "USDA Organic."

The second is no bovine growth hormones (BGH) are allowed to increase milk production. There's no genetic mutation or irradiation permitted.

Third is no antibiotics are allowed, and if a cow does need to be treated it will not be returned to the herd for a year to make sure the antibiotics are out of its system.

And fourth has to do with grazing time. Organic cows must have "access to pasture." Much like "free range chicken," this has a lot of interpretations from being out in the pasture all day to only limited grazing time.

Why does it cost so much?
If you've ever browsed the dairy section you've probably noticed the substantial difference in price between regular milk and organic milk. Its often almost double the price of regular milk.

The reason for this is it costs more to raise organic cows. Everything from bedding to feed to grazing areas has to be organic. Also, using less cost-and-time-effective ways to raise and milk the cows, purchasing organic feed and allowing more pasture area per cow means more land must be owned and maintained, and less milk produced per unit of land--thus increasing the cost.

Conventional dairy cows often live in smaller spaces without the regulated "room for grazing." I say often, because you can find small, independent farms who raise grass fed cows but don't want the added expense of the certified organic label.

Organic farm practices go beyond your glass of milk
Organic dairy farms begin with taking care of our earth. Using organic herbicides that are not toxic to the planet benefit more than just the cows, it benefits everyone. Workers aren't exposed to substances that cause all sorts of health problems, and our water tables stay cleaner.

As part of the organic agreement, no sewage fertilizer or synthetic fertilizer--which is allowed on normal farms--are allowed on organic farms.

Cows are also not given food made from animal byproducts, which can transmit mad cow disease.

Finally, no genetically altered food is fed to the cows. A number of studies on animals have shown genetically modified food to have harmful effects like sterility, increased allergies, increased likelihood of cancer, smaller and fewer offspring, and death.

Mark Kastel, co-director at The Cornucopia Institute, a farm policy research group and organic industry watchdog based in Cornucopia, Wis., says, "In terms of the environment, organic management practices that are required by law protect the soil and ground and surface waters from pollution."

Hormones used in cows

BGH (bovine growth hormone) or rbST (recombinant bovine somatotropin) are hormones that increase milk production in cows. These cause insulin like growth factor (IGF-1) in the milk, survive pasteurization and are thereby passed on to humans and absorbed directly into the bloodstream. There is much debate on whether these hormones promote the mutation of human breast cells to cancerous forms. There are also claims that IGF-1 also stimulates the growth of already present cancerous breast and colon cells. In addition, there's a theory that these increased hormones can lead to early puberty.

While the USDA and FDA have approved this hormone and claim there are no harmful effects, it has been banned in Australia, the European Union, Canada, and Japan. In fact, the FDA has a memo regarding the level of antibiotics that are acceptable in milk.

Hormones also affect the cows themselves. The cows get sicker once injected with the hormone, and are prone to mastitis--a painful infection in the udder. So the cows are then given high doses of antibiotics which also get passed along in your milk. Mastitis can cause pus to emit in milk which increases the harmful bacteria count. Perhaps this is eradicated with pasteurization, but drinking pus and/or antibiotics doesn't sound all that appealing to me.

To be fair, all dairy--regardless of whether it's organic or not--has hormones. These added hormones just increase the amount found in milk versus organic, grass-fed milk.

Antibiotics

When a non-organic cow gets sick or has an udder infection (which happens more often to cows injected with hormones), she is treated with a dose of antibiotics. While Stephanie Hill, a dairy specialist and assistant professor of animal science at North Carolina Agricultural & Technical State University in Greensboro, says that it's illegal to give antibiotics to a lactating cow, adding that farmers are responsible for any antibiotics that show up in tanker-truck samples, which would force the dumping of the entire truck's contents, there is ample evidence of antibiotics found in milk --a quick Google search will show that.

One study stated that prior to the approval of BGH, 38% of milk sampled nationally was already contaminated by illegal residues of antibiotics and animal drugs,and this study shows that 21% of milk samples were positive for traces of antibiotics beyond the recommended holding period.

Consuming antibiotics through your milk can make you more immune to antibiotics and more susceptible to antibiotic resistant bacteria and diseases. MRSA--methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus--is an extremely dangerous bacterial infection that's highly resistant to some antibiotics and is becoming more widespread in the United States. Studies are being done on MRSA transmission from cows with mastitis to people. Google a picture of what a MRSA infection looks like...it's not pretty.

Recently, the FDA has begun to take baby steps limiting the amount of antibiotics given to animals, but the fact of the matter is that 80% of antibiotics in this country go not to people, but to animals.

What does "access to pasture" really mean?

This is a gray area in the organic world. Does that mean the cows wander free across the countryside as they like or are the doors let open for 10 minutes to allow them to graze if they like?

The Cornucopia Institute is a nonprofit that promotes economic justice for family-scale farming, and provides a scoring card for dairies if you want to see how they measure up in regards to treatment of the cows.

Large scale dairies like Horizon are more like conventional dairies--lots of cows lined up munching away on organic pellets while being milked. A responsible farmer who rotates his cows on different crops not only is rewarded with milk with more nutrients, but with healthy pastures as well. Studies show that cows that graze on pasture have milk have higher levels of beneficial nutrients. Click here for more information.

There is still a lot of discussion on this and every dairy farm is different on the amount of land per cow they have and how much grazing time the cows get. The best solution if you want to go organic is to try to do your own research on the brand you buy.

Expiration Dates...

One major advantage of organic milk is that (often) it stays fresh significantly longer than regular pasteurized milk. That is because a different process is used to preserve the milk. While regular milk is pasteurized or flash pasteurized, meaning it is exposed to high heat (140-160 degrees) for a short amount of time then rapidly cooled to destroy bacteria, protozoa, molds, and yeast. According to Wikipedia, however, pasteurization is not intended to kill micro-organisms.

Organic milk is usually given an ultra high temperature (UHT) treatment, meaning it is heated to 275 degrees for a couple of seconds. This kills all the bacteria in the milk, allowing it to have a longer shelf life than normal pasteurized milk which doesn't eradicate all bacteria. UHT also has a shorter processing time, which reduces the spoiling of nutrients found in the milk.

UHT milk also doesn't need to be refrigerated (a weird concept to us Americans, I know), so UK dairy farmers want to make 90% of milk UHT treated to cut down on greenhouse gasses (this is still being discussed).

Whether or not you like your milk icy cold or room temperature, UHT treatment done on organic milk does make it last much longer than pasteurized milk. But to be fair to both sides, you can find non-organic UHT treated milk.

On the flip side, however, raw milk advocates argue that any kind of pasteurization kills some of the beneficial bacteria found in milk. If you really want to hear a heated discussion, start a debate about raw milk...I may save that for a later hub.

Are there any health differences?

The FDA and USDA claim there are no significant differences between organic and regular milk in quality, safety and nutrition. You can read more about their report in this article from the National Dairy Council.

However, in all my research what I noticed most were conflicting reports. Reports that antibiotics were illegal to use on lactating cows, yet there were still illegal amounts in a high percentage of milk. Studies suggesting hormones have no effect on humans or cows and studies suggesting it can cause emotional and health damage to cows and may be contributing factors in some major human illnesses. From my own personal experience, however, when I switched to organic dairy the intensity of my hormone-related migraines decreased SIGNIFICANTLY.

A new study has just been published by Newcastle University in the Journal of Science of Food and Agriculture stating that organic milk is healthier for you. The study showed that cows that were allowed to graze naturally--you know, like they did in the good old days--produced milk which contained significantly higher beneficial fatty acids, antioxidants and vitamins than regular dairy cows that feed in a line at a trough. It also showed that during summer months, one of the beneficial fats in particular - conjugated linoleic acid, or CLA9 - is found to be 60% higher in organic milk than regular milk. You can read more on this study at this article, or this article.