According to the Center for Food Safety:
Currently, irradiated food must be labeled as "Treated with irradiation" or "Treated by radiation" and must display the irradiated "radura" symbol. But now, in yet another attempt to appease industry at the expense of the public, the FDA has proposed a new rule that would allow irradiated food to be marketed in some cases without any labeling at all. In other cases, the rule would allow the terms "electronically pasteurized" or "cold pasteurized" to replace the use of "irradiated" on labels. These terms are not used by scientists, but rather are designed to fool consumers about what's been done to their food.
What is Food Irradiation?
Food irradiation uses high-energy Gamma rays, electron beams, or X-rays (all of which are millions of times more powerful than standard medical X-rays) to break apart the bacteria and insects that can hide in meat, grains, and other foods. Radiation can do strange things to food, by creating substances called "unique radiolytic products." These irradiation byproducts include a variety of mutagens - substances that can cause gene mutations, polyploidy (an abnormal condition in which cells contain more than two sets of chromosomes), chromosome aberrations (often associated with cancerous cells), and dominant lethal mutations (a change in a cell that prevents it from reproducing) in human cells. Making matters worse, many mutagens are also carcinogens.
Research also shows that irradiation forms volatile toxic chemicals such as benzene and toluene, chemicals known or suspected to cause cancer and birth defects. Irradiation also causes stunted growth in lab animals fed irradiated foods. An important 2001 study linked colon tumor promotion in lab rats to 2-alkylcyclobutanones (2-ACB's), a new chemical compound found only in irradiated foods. The FDA has never tested the safety of these byproducts. Irradiation has also been shown to cause the low-level production of furans (similar to cancer-causing dioxins) in fruit juice.
Food Safety Concerns
In addition to the proposed weakening of the labeling requirements for irradiated food, FDA's rule would also severely limit them by requiring companies to label irradiated food only when the radiation treatment causes a 'material change' to the product. Examples include changes to the taste, texture, smell or shelf life of a food. Published research on irradiated foods reveals that irradiation does change, and can actually ruin, the flavor, odor, appearance, and texture of food. Such research repeatedly finds that irradiated foods smell rotten, metallic, bloody, burnt, grassy, and generally off. The taste has been described as like sulfur, singed hair, burnt feathers, burnt oil, and rancid fat. Beyond the obvious yuck factor, serious questions remain as to whether irradiated foods are safe to eat.
Irradiation Destroys the Vitamin Content of Foods
Irradiated foods can lose from 2-95% of their vitamins. For example, irradiation can destroy up to 80% of the vitamin A in eggs, up to 95% of the vitamin A and lutein in green beans, up to 50% of the vitamin A and lutein in broccoli, and 40% of the beta-carotene in orange juice. Irradiation also doubles the amount of trans fats in beef.
Despite 50 years of research, food scientists still do not fully understand how these changes take place. Much of the ongoing research, in fact, is focused on devising new ways to hide these changes, rather than addressing the cause of the changes themselves.
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GE Contamination of our food
USDA has released for public comment its draft environmental impact statement (EIS) on Monsanto’s genetically engineered, Roudup Ready alfalfa, and unfortunately, USDA has not done its job. USDA has ignored the real-life concerns of non-GE alfalfa farmers, dairies, exporters, retailers and consumers. Despite public outcry, USDA’s determination is to once again approve GE alfalfa without any limitations or protections for consumers, the environment, or farmers’ right to sow the crop of their choice without fear of contamination and rejection of their products. Incredibly, USDA claims that consumers don’t care if organic and conventional farmers’ crops are contaminated!
In 2006, the Center for Food Safety (CFS) sued the Department of Agriculture (USDA) on behalf of farmers and others for its illegal approval of Monsanto’s Roundup Ready alfalfa and won, banning GE alfalfa until the USDA fully analyzed its impacts on the environment, farmers, and the public. However, the resulting EIS is woefully inadequate, leaving farmers and consumers unprotected while Monsanto goes on with business as usual.
I subscribe to and follow the Center for Food Safety. For the sake of your family you should too!
http://www.foodsafetynow.org/
In 2006, the Center for Food Safety (CFS) sued the Department of Agriculture (USDA) on behalf of farmers and others for its illegal approval of Monsanto’s Roundup Ready alfalfa and won, banning GE alfalfa until the USDA fully analyzed its impacts on the environment, farmers, and the public. However, the resulting EIS is woefully inadequate, leaving farmers and consumers unprotected while Monsanto goes on with business as usual.
I subscribe to and follow the Center for Food Safety. For the sake of your family you should too!
http://www.foodsafetynow.org/
Jupiter Farms rain has passed
What a crazy week so far! Winter is our dry season and yet we have had bucketfulls of it. We broke all kinds of cold weather records and killed a lot of plants and damaged citrus and strawberries.
Sunday afternoon, the cold front pushed through and the temperature dropped 15 degrees in an hour. And then 2 hours later a warm front pushed the cold front out and the weather got warmer.
Then, it started to rain, and rain, and rain. Well, even though rain is always welcome in south Florida due to the population demands, it has passed and today is another glorious day in sunny, south Florida!
Visit me on the web: http://www.coastalfloridarealestate.net/
Sunday afternoon, the cold front pushed through and the temperature dropped 15 degrees in an hour. And then 2 hours later a warm front pushed the cold front out and the weather got warmer.
Then, it started to rain, and rain, and rain. Well, even though rain is always welcome in south Florida due to the population demands, it has passed and today is another glorious day in sunny, south Florida!
Visit me on the web: http://www.coastalfloridarealestate.net/
Jupiter Jubilee coming Feb. 6
YOU-niquely Jupiter…The Jupiter Jubilee is the FUN, FREE Event Just for YOU!
Don't miss Jupiter's annual community celebration on Saturday, February 6, from 11am-5pm! This year, the Jupiter Jubilee celebrates how we are historically, naturally, neighborly, beautifully, and uniquely Jupiter! From our beautiful beaches to our pristine natural areas, and our waterways, neighborhoods and parks, Jupiter celebrates its past, present and future at this community-wide event.
There’s lots to do and see at the Jubilee, and best of all, it’s FREE! This year’s event features:
Live music from Sax Attack and Cecilia Lauren and the Ocoee River Band, with music and fun throughout the day by DJ Jammin’ Jim;
Performances by Purple Dragon Karate Team, ArtStage, and Keep Flippin’ Gymnastics;
A kids adventure park, with bounce houses, rock climbing, and more;
An art show, with live demonstrations by one of the Florida Highwaymen;
Live Police SWAT and K-9 demonstrations;
The Jubilee Photo Contest Gallery of Finalists, voting for the “People’s Choice”, and announcement of Contest Winners;
A raffle for a brand new bike from J-Town Bikes, where participants in the Jubilee’s FREE bike valet get extra tickets for better chances to win;
Live animal demonstrations from Busch Wildlife;
A chance to learn about our local weather from News Channel 5 Meteorologists Steve Weagle and Glen Glazer;
Presentations and question and answer sessions on Jupiter’s Riverwalk, Jupiter’s Open Space Natural Areas, Jupiter’s Neighborhoods, and Jupiter’s Water Utility;
A “Celebrity Taste Test” of Jupiter’s water against popular bottled brands, and a chance to “Take the H20 challenge yourself;
Tours of the Jupiter Police Department;
A Civic Activities Fair, featuring community organizations serving the Jupiter area;
Displays and vehicles by the Jupiter Police Department and Palm Beach County Fire Rescue;
A free “JUP” euro sticker for any event go-ers who answer a short Jubilee survey;
And of course, lots of yummy treats from local food vendors!
The Jupiter Jubilee takes place at the Jupiter Community Center, 200 Military Trail in Jupiter. For information and directions, go to www.jupiter.fl.us or call 561-741-2400.
The Jubilee is a GREEN event, focused on being kind to the environment, and educating area residents on ways to appreciate our local, natural treasures and live green. We encourage walking or biking to the event, and offer a FREE on-site bike valet. Parking is available at the Community Center, and at Jupiter Community High School. A free shuttle is available from the high school to the event.
Don't miss Jupiter's annual community celebration on Saturday, February 6, from 11am-5pm! This year, the Jupiter Jubilee celebrates how we are historically, naturally, neighborly, beautifully, and uniquely Jupiter! From our beautiful beaches to our pristine natural areas, and our waterways, neighborhoods and parks, Jupiter celebrates its past, present and future at this community-wide event.
There’s lots to do and see at the Jubilee, and best of all, it’s FREE! This year’s event features:
Live music from Sax Attack and Cecilia Lauren and the Ocoee River Band, with music and fun throughout the day by DJ Jammin’ Jim;
Performances by Purple Dragon Karate Team, ArtStage, and Keep Flippin’ Gymnastics;
A kids adventure park, with bounce houses, rock climbing, and more;
An art show, with live demonstrations by one of the Florida Highwaymen;
Live Police SWAT and K-9 demonstrations;
The Jubilee Photo Contest Gallery of Finalists, voting for the “People’s Choice”, and announcement of Contest Winners;
A raffle for a brand new bike from J-Town Bikes, where participants in the Jubilee’s FREE bike valet get extra tickets for better chances to win;
Live animal demonstrations from Busch Wildlife;
A chance to learn about our local weather from News Channel 5 Meteorologists Steve Weagle and Glen Glazer;
Presentations and question and answer sessions on Jupiter’s Riverwalk, Jupiter’s Open Space Natural Areas, Jupiter’s Neighborhoods, and Jupiter’s Water Utility;
A “Celebrity Taste Test” of Jupiter’s water against popular bottled brands, and a chance to “Take the H20 challenge yourself;
Tours of the Jupiter Police Department;
A Civic Activities Fair, featuring community organizations serving the Jupiter area;
Displays and vehicles by the Jupiter Police Department and Palm Beach County Fire Rescue;
A free “JUP” euro sticker for any event go-ers who answer a short Jubilee survey;
And of course, lots of yummy treats from local food vendors!
The Jupiter Jubilee takes place at the Jupiter Community Center, 200 Military Trail in Jupiter. For information and directions, go to www.jupiter.fl.us or call 561-741-2400.
The Jubilee is a GREEN event, focused on being kind to the environment, and educating area residents on ways to appreciate our local, natural treasures and live green. We encourage walking or biking to the event, and offer a FREE on-site bike valet. Parking is available at the Community Center, and at Jupiter Community High School. A free shuttle is available from the high school to the event.
Fannie Mae offers to pay closing costs if...
....you buy one of the 50,000 foreclosed homes they own!
Here's the whole story from the Florida Association of Realtors"
Fannie Mae, the largest provider of residential home funding in the United States, announced on Friday that it would start to pay closing costs for buyers of foreclosed homes in its inventory. Buyers of qualified properties will get up to 3.5 percent in closing costs or an equivalent amount for the purchase of new appliances.
Fannie wants to clear out the nearly 50,000 properties it has in inventory – listed on HomePath.com, the Web site created by Fannie Mae last year to sell the growing number of foreclosed homes. The offer is available to any owner-occupant who closes on the purchase of a property listed on HomePath.com before May 1, 2010.
Applicable properties can be found on HomePath.com, along with property descriptions, photographs, community and school information, and more. In addition, some Fannie Mae-owned properties are eligible for special HomePath Mortgage and HomePath Renovation Mortgage financing, which offers qualified homebuyers the ability to purchase with as little as 3 percent down.“Attracting qualified buyers to the market and reducing inventory of vacant homes is critical to stabilizing neighborhoods and helping the market recover,” Terry Edwards, executive vice president for credit portfolio management, said in a statement.
With choices like this and interest rates below 5%, why wouldn't you buy a house??
www.CoastalFloridaRealEstate.net
Here's the whole story from the Florida Association of Realtors"
Fannie Mae, the largest provider of residential home funding in the United States, announced on Friday that it would start to pay closing costs for buyers of foreclosed homes in its inventory. Buyers of qualified properties will get up to 3.5 percent in closing costs or an equivalent amount for the purchase of new appliances.
Fannie wants to clear out the nearly 50,000 properties it has in inventory – listed on HomePath.com, the Web site created by Fannie Mae last year to sell the growing number of foreclosed homes. The offer is available to any owner-occupant who closes on the purchase of a property listed on HomePath.com before May 1, 2010.
Applicable properties can be found on HomePath.com, along with property descriptions, photographs, community and school information, and more. In addition, some Fannie Mae-owned properties are eligible for special HomePath Mortgage and HomePath Renovation Mortgage financing, which offers qualified homebuyers the ability to purchase with as little as 3 percent down.“Attracting qualified buyers to the market and reducing inventory of vacant homes is critical to stabilizing neighborhoods and helping the market recover,” Terry Edwards, executive vice president for credit portfolio management, said in a statement.
With choices like this and interest rates below 5%, why wouldn't you buy a house??
www.CoastalFloridaRealEstate.net
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