Dr. Weeks’ Comment: My wife is an amazing organic gardener and we have eaten primarily organic all our adult lives. When we were blessed with 4 children, we considered it imperative that they be fed only organic food. Now when my family and I eat out we select a restaurant based upon three criteria: two of which you would expect, but the third criteria may surprise you. Yes: enjoyable food and enjoyable service are the first two criteria – but the third? SAFETY. That is correct. We want to eat safe food. I am not just talking about avoiding unhygienic kitchens where bacterial like salmonella can cause food poisoning, I am talking about seeking out restaurants where the “chain of custody” is intact and where the chef can tell me where the food was grown, where it was processed and where it was stored prior to arriving on my plate. In the case of fish, can your restaurant tell you the name of the fisherman or at least his boat that caught the fish, how many days it was in the boats hold before being processed, how many times it was frozen and thawed and refrozen before it was put on your table? Does your restaurant honor the chain of custody? I know of only one restaurant in Seattle which can do this: Duke’s Chowder House (6 locations). In each instance, the chain of custody is intact and I feel safe eating delicious entrees from their fabulous menu.
If you don’t understand chain of custody, read this article below which may shock you about where your food is coming from.
WHERE IS YOUR FOOD GROWN?
Smithfield Farms, the largest pork producing farm in the USA was sold in September to China with the unanimous support of its stockholders. The hogs will still be raised here, but slaughtered and packaged for sale therebefore being sent back here. This includes labels: of Morrell, Eckrich, Krakus, Cudahy, Premium Hams, Cook’s, Gwaltney. The same is true with chickens under these labels. They can now be shipped there, but when they come back all that needs to be on the label is that they… WERE RAISED IN THE USA. Not that they were processed in China. Our great FDA at work. The chickens under these labels will all be processed and most sold to fast food restaurants, schools and supermarkets. The China slaughter and processing requirements are, for the most part, unregulated and far inferior to requirements of the U.S.A.
We recently learned that Starkist Tuna is now owned by Korea and is in conflict with the U. S. concerning quality, safety, and records keeping, which Korea refuses to produce.
I read several articles on Google about this, and even one that was defending the eating of tilapia fish said to avoid the fish that came from China. Also, I had just returned home from buying Albertson’s 4-day special of 4 bags of frozen tilapia for the price of one. Sure enough, on the top of the bags it read “farm raised”, and on the bottom, in small print, it said:” China.
Recently, on TV, a Food inspector said he had lived overseas and he had seen the filthy conditions their foods are raised and processed in. It is enough to make you throw-up. Some foreign workers have to wear masks as they work in these places because the food is so rotten and filthy, it makes them want to throw up. Many of their fish on Fish Farms are fed raw sewage daily. He said he has seen so much filth throughout their food growing and processing that he would “never” eat any of it. They raise this filth, put some food coloring and some flavorings on it, then they ship it to the USA & Canada for YOU to consume and feed to YOUR families. They have no Food & Safety Inspectors. They ship it to you to buy and poison your families and friends.
Imported food we eat is junk :
Green Giant frozen vegetables are from China, and so are most of Europe’s Best. Arctic Gardens are Okay. So is Birdseye.
Never buy the grocery store garlic unless it is clearly marked from USA or Canada, the other stuff is grown in people’s… dung (even worse than chicken poop). China is the largest producer of garlic in the world; U. S. is next.
Buy only local honey, much honey is shipped in huge containers from China and packaged here.
Cold-FX is grown and packed in China and is full of fecal bacteria. Doesn’t work anyway; it is a big scam.
If the country of origin on a product is not clearly marked “beware.” If the product is produce, ask an employee.
Watch out for packages which state “prepared for,” “packed by” or “imported by” or “distributed by.” We advocate mandatory labeling, especially the produce.
The country of origin should be clearly shown on the item in the store.
Go to the local farmers’ markets in season for your produce and keep a wary eye open the rest of the year.
Please read this very carefully, and read to the very bottom. It’s important for all of us.
The above facts indicate how is it possible to ship food from China cheaper than having it produced in the U. S. or Canada.
PLEASE NOTE–THE “OUR FAMILY” BRAND OF MANDARIN ORANGES SAYS RIGHT ON THE CAN ‘FROM CHINA’. SO, FOR A FEW MORE CENTS, BUY THE LIBERTY BRAND. GOLD BRAND OR DOLE ARE FROM CALIFORNIA.
Beware, Costco sells canned peaches and pears in a plastic jar that come from China.
ALL “HIGH LINER” AND MOST OTHER FROZEN FISH PRODUCTS COME FROM CHINA OR INDONESIA. THE PACKAGE MAY SAY “PACIFIC SALMON” ON THE FRONT, BUT LOOK FOR THE SMALL PRINT. MOST OF THESE PRODUCTS COME FROM FISH FARMS IN THE ORIENT WHERE THERE ARE NO REGULATIONS ON WHAT IS FED TO THESE FISH.
Recently The Montreal Gazette had an article by the Canadian Government on how Chinese feed the fish: They suspend chicken wire crates over the fish ponds, and the fish feed on chicken dung.
If you search the Internet about what the Chinese feed their fish, you’ll be alarmed; e. g, growth hormones, expired anti-biotic from humans. Never buy any type of fish or shellfish that comes from these countries: Vietnam, China, Philippines.
Check this out personally. Steinfeld’s Pickles are produced in India – just as bad!
Another example is canned mushrooms. No-Name brand comes from Indonesia…
Also check those little fruit cups. They used to be made in Canada, in the Niagara region, until about 2 years ago. They are now packaged in China. Most sold in Aldi stores.
While the Chinese export inferior and even toxic products, dangerous toys, and goods to be sold in North American markets, the media wrings its hands! Yet, 70% of North Americans believe that the trading privileges afforded to the Chinese should be suspended.
Why do we need the government to suspend trading privileges? THIS IS A YOURSELF PROJECT.
Simply look on the bottom of every product you buy, and if it says ‘Made in China’ or ‘PRC’ (and that now includes Hong Kong), simply choose another product or none at all. You will be amazed at how dependent you are on Chinese products, and you will be equally amazed at what you can do without.
THINK ABOUT THIS:
If 200 million North Americans refuse to buy just $20 each of Chinese goods, that’s a billion dollar trade imbalance resolved in our favor… fast! The downside? Some Canadian/American businesses will feel a temporary pinch from having foreign stockpiles of inventory.
Just one month of trading losses will hit the Chinese for 8% of their North American exports. Then they will at least have to ask themselves if the benefits of their arrogance and lawlessness are worth it.
Share with your friends. Start reading labels more closely and buy something else even if it cost a few cents more… although my personal shopping can make some of these choices, bottom line is that the grocery store chains have to stop the importing. Sorry to learn “Smithfield” has sold out.