Human Embryonic Cells Approved as a Flavor Chemical
By Jackie Christensen, MSHH, HHP, MH, NC

The Obama Administration has recently approved the use of aborted embryonic kidney tissue as a flavoring chemical. Shocking as this may sound, it’s true. The Obama Administration has stated that using human kidney tissue is part of “ordinary business operations.”
Pepsi has an affiliation with San Diego biotech company Senomyx which uses human embryonic tissue in their research and production of their products. Senomyx refers to the aborted fetal cells as “isolated taste receptors.”

In 2011 whistleblower Children of God for Life a non-profit group pioneered a worldwide boycott of Pepsi products when they discovered Pepsi’s alliance with Senomyx. It was also noted that at the time Pepsi had other sources for companies to produce their flavor chemicals, but choose to use Senomyx. In an effort to resolve the boycott the stockholders of Pepsi filed a petition of resolution to Senomyx requesting that they “adopt a corporate policy that recognizes human rights and employs ethical standards which do not involve using the remains of aborted human beings in both private and collaborative research and development agreements.” The Obama Administration rejected the proposal in the favor of Senomyx’s right to use aborted fetus cells as a flavoring agent. Assuring consumers that the use of human tissue cells is a normal practice for beverage manufactures.

According to reports the aborted human tissue did not end up in PepsiCo’s final product. However, Pepsi paid Senomyx $30 million to use the aborted fetal tissue as a research tool to evaluate how human taste receptors responded to it as a flavoring agent in their products. This alone is enough to make me ban their products. At this time Kraft, Nestle, and Solae all have partnerships with Senomyx and with the Obama Administrations’ approval we may start to see aborted human fetal cells included as one of those “natural flavors.”

References
Weston, J. (2012, October 25). Pepsi shareholders demand company stop using aborted fetal cell lines in flavor research. LifeSite News. Retrieved May 8, 2012, from http://www.lifesitenews.com/news/pepsi-shareholders-demand-company-stop-using-aborted-fetal-cell-lines-in-fl
Warner, M. (2011, June 3). Pepsi’s Bizarro World: Boycotted Over Embryonic Cells Linked to Lo-Cal Soda. Children of God For Life. Retrieved May 8, 2012, from http://www.cogforlife.org/pepsiCBS.htm

Healthy Sustainable Fish Options
By Jackie Christensen, MSHH, HHP, MH, NC

The old expression, there are plenty of fish in the sea, may not be appropriate anymore as many sea creatures are declining in population. Poor management of fisheries and an increase in the world’s population have led to a decline in the number of certain fish species. Ocean fish are hunted on a large scale and despite the massive size and depth of the ocean; the population of wild fish has been declining for the last 15 years. Overfishing, illegal and unregulated fishing, habitat damage, bycatch (accidentally catching unwanted species) and poor management have all lead to a steady decline in certain populations of fish. According to Monterey Bay Aquarium Seafood Watch, nearly two-thirds of the assessed fish populations are unhealthy and they believe that the unassessed population is in worse condition. Many new species such as the Atlantic halibut, Bluefin tuna and yellowfin flounder have all been added to the list of dangerously low populations.

Large scale commercial fishing began in the 1800’s and has made a major impact on the population of fish. Currently 85% of the world’s fisheries are exploited or have collapsed and the demand for fish continues to rise. Fish are removed from the ocean quicker than they can reproduce and larger fish that have a long life span are the first to become extinct because they are slower to reproduce.

The decreasing amount of fish also makes it harder for fisherman to make a living as they become more desperate to catch fish it can lead to illegal fishing practices. There are currently over 2.5 times the amounts of sustainable fishing boats on the ocean, all chasing after a decreasing amount of marine wildlife. Common areas of concern include catching fish that are undersize, operating out of season, using illegal equipment and taking more than is allowed.

Another concern is the health of the fish that are sold. Some fish are known to be high in mercury and other contaminants. Oil spills and radiation exposure have also made us more aware that we need to protect our oceans and choose fish sustainably so we can ensure the future of precious marine life. By making mindful choices as consumers we can do our part to help. Generally fish that are smaller will contain less mercury than larger predatory types. Fish that reproduce quickly are also better options, as their species can quickly repopulate. It is also important to know where your fish comes from and it was caught. Fisherman who pole or troll fish are considered to be the most sustainable.

The Monterey Bay Aquarium Seafood Watch produces an annual pocket guide that can be used to help you determine the best choices for you depending on the region you are in and can be downloaded at the following link:
http://www.montereybayaquarium.org/cr/cr_seafoodwatch/download.aspx

Some fish that are sustainable for those located on both the Atlantic and Pacific coasts of the United States include Arctic Char (farmed), Barramundi (US farmed), Catfish (US farmed), Clams (farmed), Crab: Dungeness, Stone, Halibut: Pacific (US), Salmon (Alaska wild), Scallops (farmed), Striped Bass (farmed & wild*), Tilapia (US farmed), Trout: Rainbow (US farmed), Tuna: Albacore (Canada & US Pacific, troll/pole).

References

Monterey Bay Aquarium (n.d.). Seafood Watch Program. Monterey Bay Aquarium Seafood Watch. Retrieved April 6, 2012, from http://www.montereybayaquarium.org/cr/seafoodwatch.aspx

Top Vegetarian Junk Foods
By Jackie Christensen, MSHH, HHP, MH, NC

In an effort to switch to a healthier diet and get away from the standard American diet some may think the first step is to cut out meat and adopt a vegetarian diet. However, when making the switch it is easy to get fooled into thinking that because an item is vegetarian it is healthy. It is important to always be mindful, read labels and make sure you really know what you are getting.

Vegetarian meat substitutes such as veggie burgers and hotdogs often contain low quality soy that has been highly processed with hexane and other chemicals. Egg rolls and other deep fried appetizers are also highly processed and drenched in rancid oils. Soy ice cream may taste good, but it’s loaded with fat and sugar. A healthier alternative would be frozen fruit or herbal tea popsicles. Cheese puffs and chips have been fried in hydrogenated oils and often include artificial flavors and colors. It is also important to avoid “natural flavors” because it’s a code name for MSG. The artificial ingredients are great for the manufacturer because they help extend the shelf life of the product, but very unhealthy for the consumer. Most crackers are made from white flour which has been stripped of all the vitamins, nutrients, and fiber. Look for crackers that have whole grains, fiber and have been baked and not fried. Power bars promise to give you quick energy and have become a popular snack or quick breakfast food, but it is important to read the label as some are just a candy bar in disguise. Make sure the product has fiber and no high fructose corn syrup, hydrogenated oil or candy like ingredients. Some power bars are definitely better than others, but if you can’t find a good one try making your own. Canned soups are another popular offender. Research has shown canned soups to contain a significant amount of sodium and Bisphenol-A (BPA). One study revealed that those who consumed one can daily for five days had a BPA urine concentration 13 times higher than those who consumed non-canned soup (Hudson). Overall it’s good to avoid all canned goods and opt for fresh.

In the fast paced world that we live in it can be easy to choose a frozen dinner that can be nuked in the microwave. Convenience foods have their obvious attraction, but having a variety of whole foods available will help to limit temptation. Keeping the refrigerator stocked with a variety of vegetables makes it simple to make a quick salad or a bowl of fruit. Seeds and nuts are also convenient, healthy and filling and can be mixed with dried fruits.

Sources:
Hudson, W. (2011, November 22). Canned soup raises BPA levels. CNN Health. Retrieved March 30, 2012, from http://www.vegan-weight-loss.com/unhealthy-foods.html