Dana's Low-Carb for Life (Podcast)
Subscribe to Lowcarbezine!
Archives: 2003-2006, 1999-2004
Go With The Organic Strawberries
Submitted by Dana on Sat, 2010-07-03 16:33
Strawberries are a low carb favorite, but I'm afraid there's some bad news. They've long topped the list of foods most heavily contaminated by pesticides, especially since, unlike, say, a banana or a melon, they have no peel or rind. But it may well get worse.
The state of California, by far the biggest strawberry producer in the nation, is considering approving a new chemical to be used on strawberry fields. The chemical is called methyl iodide, and by all reports it's hideously toxic. Theodore A. Slotkin, a professor of pharmacology and cancer biology at Duke University Medical Center, who is also on the review committee looking at this decision, has been quoted as saying, "“I’m not in blanket opposition to the use of pesticides, but methyl iodide alarms me. When we come across a compound that is known to be neurotoxic, as well as developmentally toxic and an endocrine disruptor, it would seem prudent to err on the side of caution, demanding that the appropriate scientific testing be done on animals instead of going ahead and putting it into use, in which case the test animals will be the children of the state of California.”
It's that word "neurotoxic" that's really freaking me out. Dr. Slotkin says that methyl iodide can contribute to learning disabilities, conduct disorders, autism spectrum disorders and attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder. All of a sudden, fruit doesn't seem like such a healthy snack for your kids, now does it?
John Froines, professor of environmental health sciences at UCLA, has said regarding methyl iodide, “This is without question one of the most toxic chemicals on earth." Oh, goody! Give me a double-helping!
To be fair, the EPA and California's Department of Pesticide Regulation claim that there is no methyl iodide residue on or in strawberries grown on fields treated with the chemical. The risk, they say, is to farm workers and those who live near the fields.
On the other hand, scientists working for the DPR suggested a limit of 0.8 parts per billion (ppb) of methyl iodide as acceptable exposure -- but the DPR "risk managers" have decided, instead, on 96 ppb. I do not find this reassuring.
I don't know about you, but I'll be buying organically-grown strawberries from here on out. I don't buy all organic stuff; simply can't afford to. But where strawberries are concerned, I consider the extra expense to be a necessary exercise in prudence.
»
- Dana's blog
- Login or register to post comments
Full Feed RSS
How is this allowed?
I am appalled that the EPA and CA Dept of Pesticide Regulation are allowing this. So, the risk is not to the people consuming the strawberries themselves, only to the farm works and people who live near those fields. Aren't they people too? And whether they eat the strawberries or not, they will still be exposed to these harsh chemicals. So, it really doesn't matter whether those people choose to eat "organic" or not, their choice has already been taken from them. This is the "real" outrage.
What about frozen
What about frozen strawberries?
Organic strawberries
For those of you that shop at Costco (we do!), they carry organic strawberries and raspberries, mainly produced by Driscoll's, in California. The label is green for their organic line, as opposed to yellow for their conventional line. I vote with my dollar and buy the organic, every time!
For a list of the "Dirty Dozen" produce that you should ALWAYS buy organic, check out the Environmental Working Group's lists. You can download it here and they even have an iPhone app. Very handy for checking what to get when you're at the store...
Organic vs Local
Here's the Locavore's pledge which helps make sense of sustainable eating choices:
The Locavore Pledge:
If not LOCALLY PRODUCED, then Organic.
If not ORGANIC, then Family farm.
If not FAMILY FARM, then Local business.
If not a LOCAL BUSINESS, then Fair Trade.
after all that, if you still can't find it/afford it then buy from big agri-business...but that should be the last resort!
strawberries
I have heard that there are guidelines to buying organic, like it is not as important to buy an organic spaghetti squash because the impermeable skin it is less likely to absorb pesticide than say the bananna which has a soft skin. Also some vegetables or fruit are easier to grow so they use less pesticide. based on this theory strawberries would be a vulnerable crop anyway. I also think it is SO important to buy organic bananas for my child as the workers who harvest bananas in non organic facilities have sores up and down thier arms from the harshness of the pesticides they use in other countries to keep spiders and bugs from the bananas. YUCK.
I have always tried to buy organic strawberries.....
for that very reason. That, and organic grapes. I don't eat many of either, but my kids do. Those two fruits have been on the "dirty dozen" list every time I've checked it:
http://www.organic.org/articles/showarticle/article-214
I am extremely fortunate to live near a large local market that sells both organic strawberries, and for a month or so each summer, organic grapes, for a reasonable price when they are in season.
I will, however, choose a locally grown peach (I am in Georgia) over an organic one shipped all the way from California.
Strawberries
This is sad- we rarely see organic strawberries here..... and I LOVE them!
Maybe...
Maybe you could plant some? Do you have a sunny yard?
strawberries
Thanksfully, due to my diabetes I don't eat fruit. But I worry about the children...parents are trying to get them to eat fruit as it's healthier than chips. Well now maybe not so much. Will we ever learn? We are poisioning ourselves, and don't seem to care.
Heaven help us!
Hugs
G