Good News in Food & Health! (June 2020)
Tired of hearing negative news? Get ready for a pick-me-up as Dr. McCullough shares good news about your food and health!
A Federal Court banned Monsanto’s toxic pesticide dicamba!
Dicamba is a pesticide that is sprayed on tens of millions of acres of soybeans and cotton that have been genetically engineered to resist that chemical. It was developed by Monsanto, now owned by Bayer, after weeds became resistant to glyphosate (sold commercially as Roundup). Dicamba has become notorious for drifting to neighboring farms – including organic farms – and damaging those crops along with wild plants, trees, birds and insect pollinators. However, the U.S. Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals declared dicamba to have caused “enormous and unprecedented damage” and, consequently, revoked the EPA’s approval of the pesticide. That also means GMO soybean and cotton crops designed to tolerate dicamba will be halted as well! This is a huge victory for farmers, the environment, and consumers! Learn More Here
The California Assembly voted to ban 12 toxic chemicals used in personal care products!
Some of those chemicals include formaldehyde, parabens, phthalates, mercury and PFAS chemicals. Those 12 are just a handful of toxic chemicals commonly found in personal care products such as soap, deodorant, and make-up. Men, women, and even children use products every day that commonly contain ingredients that have been associated with numerous health effects.
Personal care products sold in the U.S. are largely unregulated. More than 10,000 chemicals are used to formulate cosmetics. Some of those chemicals have been linked to cancer, birth defects, hormone disruption, immune dysregulation, and reproductive issues. Yet, manufacturers are not required to test their products before they reach store shelves. And, they are not required to demonstrate their products are safe.
This bill, named the Toxic Free Cosmetic Act, A.B. 2762, is the first in the nation to attempt to ban 12 highly toxic chemicals, which have already been banned by the European Union due to their negative health impacts. The bill was passed by the California Assembly by a resounding bipartisan vote of 54-0. It still needs to pass in the state Senate and then be signed into law by Gov. Newsom. If it becomes law in California, it could lead to national cosmetic safety legislation. Read more HERE.
While I’m not a fan of more government regulation, I applaud the intention behind this bill and I understand the desire to ask for more regulation given the lax safety requirements currently in place.
Here’s my solution: Just like I encourage you to read the ingredient labels on your food, I encourage you to read the ingredient labels on your personal care products. If you don’t know what the ingredient is or you have not looked up possible health issues related to that ingredient then don’t use that product until you can give informed consent. There are many alternatives on the market that use natural ingredients. Buy those products instead. If we – as consumers – feed the good and starve the bad, the market will take care of this problem without the need for more government regulation.
The Glyphosate Residue Free label is booming!
The Detox Project’s Glyphosate Residue Free certification for food and supplements has now received international support from SGS laboratories! Their labs across Europe, Asia and North America have been approved to provide testing for glyphosate. That means it just became easier for farmers, suppliers and manufacturers to test their products for glyphosate.
And there’s more good news! Some iconic brands are now certified as Glyphosate Residue Free, including: Chobani, Once Upon A Farm, Organifi, and PURIS. To date, over 70 brands and 1500 products are now certified! Way to go Detox Project! Get a list of products HERE.
I support the Glyphosate Residue Free label because it’s a third party, independent verification system that empowers consumers to harness their buying power by letting them know which foods are truly free of glyphosate. Learn more HERE.
The first European Union country has banned the use of glyphosate!
Luxembourg joins the growing list of numerous countries, states, counties and cities that have either banned glyphosate or restricted its use. For a current list of these communities and the actions they have taken against this toxic chemical, click HERE.
Beyond Labels is #1 in NUTRITION and is now available on Kindle!
Beyond Labels is the NUMBER ONE NEW RELEASE IN NUTRITION on Amazon! And it’s now available on Kindle!
With this book, we have the ability to help people who are struggling with health issues or just want to eat better and don’t know where to start or who to trust. After struggling for years with my own health issues, it feels deeply rewarding and affirming to have an opportunity to give back. From the bottom of my heart, thank you, thank you, thank you. Your continued support and encouragement over the years helped make this book possible. You give me strength and help keep me moving forward! I’m deeply grateful for each of you.
