News items about food production and agriculture offer us a digital smorgasbord, but many readers do not have the time to dig under the surface of the headlines and tweets. Check out these recent items—and the article, commentary, or blog that can provide more insights:
Mac & Cheese Reports--Health Alert or Fear Mongering?
After
testing 30 different cheese products, researchers found that all but one
contained chemicals called phthalates--man-made substances that have been shown
to interfere with human hormones. The highest levels were found in the cheesy
powder used to make the sauce for boxed macaroni and cheese. BUT—according to
many, a mac-and-cheese eater would need to eat hundreds of servings to reach a
toxic level. University of Florida scientist Kevin Folta says the reports are
another case of manipulating your deepest food fears.
Pollinators and Bee Health--Common Sense Approaches
The
Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services has initiated the
“Voluntary Plan to Mitigate the Risk of Pesticides to Managed Pollinators.” The
document consists mostly of recommended best practices for the use of outdoor
agricultural and commercial pesticides to minimize honeybee losses, but does
not strengthen pesticide regulations. It mainly encourages beekeepers and
pesticide applicators to communicate more effectively and use chemicals wisely.
Check out CAST’s informative commentary, Why Does Bee Health Matter? The
Science Surrounding Honey Bee Health Concerns and What We Can Do About It.
Biotech Crops and Trade
Global
seed companies have called for transparent, science-based approvals processes
for new crop types after China approved two more genetically modified crops for
import but left four others on the waiting list. For an in-depth look at
global regulations and biotech crops, check out this CAST commentary--The Impact of
Asynchronous Approvals for Biotech Crops on Agricultural Sustainability, Trade,
and Innovation.
Gotta Get Dirty
Yet
another expert is explaining why “dirt is good” and saying that kids need to be exposed to germs. Check out the CAST blog, The Hygiene Hypothesis—Farm Germs Might Be the Best Medicine.
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