Want Some Mercury with That?

Yet another reason to hate on highly-subsidized, obesity-inducing high fructose corn syrup (HFCS)... mercury. Mercury is a potent brain toxin that we know accumulates in fish and seafood, although diet is not the only route by which we are exposed. When babies are exposed to elevated mercury in the womb, their brains may develop abnormally, impairing learning abilities and reducing IQ. For these youngest children, the science increasingly suggests there may be no “safe” level of exposure to mercury. And yet for decades an increasingly common ingredient in processed foods, HFCS, has been made using mercury-grade caustic soda. Caustic soda (also known as sodium hydroxide or lye) and a number of other food industry ingredients are produced in industrial chlorine (chlor-alkali) plants. “Mercury-grade,” also known as “rayongrade” caustic soda, comes from chlorine plants still using an outdated 19th century technology that relies on the use of mercury. While most chlorine plants around the world have switched to newer, cleaner technologies, some still rely on the use of mercury. These mercury cell plants may rival coal-fired power plants as sources of mercury “leaked” to the environment. What has not been publicly recognized is that mercury cell technology can also contaminate all the food grade chemicals made from it, including caustic soda, as well as hydrochloric acid. Read the full report here; view the list of products tested and found to have mercury here.
The winner? Quaker Oatmeal to Go: 350 ppt!

Old Tarboo Farm Needs Apprentices!

Old Tarboo Farm is a 25 acre farm nestled in between Quilcene and Chimacum, WA, just north of Dabob Bay. The farm operation exists on 3 acres of cultivated soil. We utilize the 3 hoop houses, tractor, BCS walk behind rototiller, and many hand tools to grow and maintain our crops. The hundred year old barn provides a perfect place for washing and processing our veggies and fruits to sell at the Port Townsend Farmer’s Market, local restaurants, and the Food Co-op. We are also considering having a small CSA (community supported agriculture) membership this year. Farm crops include strawberries, raspberries, tomatoes, cucumbers, peppers, salad greens, potatoes, onions, sweet corn, beans, squashes, carrots, beets, flowers and more!

Farm apprentices will:

Be able to commit to the full 2009 growing season, ideally starting the first week in March and continuing until the end of October. (There may be possibilities to stay beyond that.)
Be willing and prepared to work a typical “farm” week: early mornings, body intensive, at least 40 hours, in the elements...whatever they may be...hot, wet, cold, etc.
Learn fundamentals of sustainable organic agriculture practices including propagation, bed preparation, direct sowing and transplanting, irrigation, weed and pest management, harvesting, processing, marketing, and much more.
Receive a monthly stipend; housing, cooking, bathing and laundry facilities; a share of the crops growing on the farm; access to the internet; and use of the Yoga Yurt.
Have rotational farm chores that are not included in the 40 hour week (pertaining to the small poultry flock and grounds’ maintenance).
Either have farm experiene or a strong desire to build it.
Find themselves on a beautiful piece of land with a small pond, forests, and abundant nature sounds.

Please contact Dana Nixon for information, questions, or to send a resume.
home: 360-732-0965
cell: 317-513-8684
email: danadoodad@yahoo.com
781 Old Tarboo Road, Quilcene, WA 98376

More on Milk...GUILTY!

Tian Wenhua, former chairwoman of Shijiazhuang Sanlu Group Co., pleaded guilty at her trial Wednesday to charges of producing and selling fake or substandard products, according to state-run Xinhua news agency. She admitted to knowing of complaints from consumers that Sanlu's milk was tainted as early as May. Sanlu notified Shijiazhuang city officials of the contamination and quietly recalled some of its products from distributors in August, and didn't notify central authorities nor issue a full public recall of its products until September. Authorities estimate that 294,000 children under three years of age were sickened, and six died from ingesting formula made by 22 dairy companies that contained melamine, a chemical used in the manufacture of plastics that artificially boosts the protein content of milk. Many children are still hospitalized. So far, 17 other people, including some accused of selling the melamine mixtures used to adulterate milk, also have appeared in court. The scandal, one of China's biggest food-safety crises to date, has severely damaged the country's dairy industry and has resulted in bans around the world of products containing Chinese dairy ingredients. Sanlu's milk formula contained far higher concentrations of melamine than did other brands. More here.

As Recession Deepens, So Does Milk Surplus

It turns out that shutting down the milk supply is not as easy as closing an automobile assembly line. To date, the taxpayers of the United States have spent about $91 million to buy up and store sacks of milk powder. The bags of milk powder represent a startling reversal of fortune for the dairy industry, which flourished in recent years thanks in part to a growing appetite for milk, cheese, ice cream and pizza in places like Mexico, Egypt and Indonesia. Many of those countries, of course, were benefiting from a global economic boom led by free-spending consumers in the United States. As American dairy farmers increased their shipments of powdered milk, cheese and other dairy ingredients to foreign markets, their incomes rose. And the demand surge helped drive up the price of milk for American families. The national average for whole milk peaked at $3.89 a gallon in July. But now, demand for dairy products is stalling amid a global economic slowdown and credit crisis, even as supplies have increased. The result is a glut of milk — and its assorted byproducts, like milk powder, butter and whey proteins — that has led to a precipitous drop in prices and surplus that nobody will buy, at least not at a price the dairy industry regards as acceptable. More here.