Why Read Food Labels?

I strongly believe that we should try to eat as local as we can. Does this mean all the food I consume is raised locally? No, I love bananas and oranges and they just don’t grow here in Vermont! I do try to keep on top of news stories regarding food and I am getting better about reading the labels. Are you aware that there are 10 major food companies that are supplying our processed food?

Here are a few more facts:

• In 2008, direct sales of food from farmers to consumers hit a high of $4.8 billion
• Total sales in grocery stores was approximately $1.23 trillion that same year
• Local sales represents less than 0.5% of the the money spent on food in the U.S.

So, what about this “battle”?  It seems like it is already lost!  BIG FOOD won….

A few more facts:

• Americans spend 90% of our food budget on processed food
• We eat half of our meals and snacks away from home
• One of every three dollars spent on groceries in the U.S. goes to Walmart
• For every $19 bucket of Kentucky Fried Chicken sold, the farmer makes 25 cents

Did you know that Smithfield Farms, the largest pork producing farm in the United States was sold in September to China? The hogs will be raised in the US, but slaughtered and packaged for sale in china before being sent back here. How crazy is that?

Many chickens are also being raised this way, they can be shipped to China for slaughtering but the labels will read, “raised in the USA”, not that they were packaged in China! All the more reason to raise your own meat birds or at least buy from someone you know raising their own birds. It may cost a little more but at least you know where your food is coming from.

Do you know where your fish is coming from? Starkist Tuna is now owned by Korea. Much of the tilapia sold in the US may say “farm raised” but if you look at the label a little closer you will also see “China”. Many of the fish raised on these fish farms are fed raw sewage daily. There are no food and safety inspectors involved there. The fish is raised in china and then shipped to the US for you to consume! Never buy fish from Vietnam, China or the Philippines.

Here are some other bands that are imported.

Green Giant frozen vegetables are from China. Birdseye are not.

Never buy grocery store garlic unless it is clearly marked grown in the USA. China is the largest producer of garlic. Better yet, grow your own. It is so easy!

Buy only local honey! Much of the store bought honey is shipped in huge containers from China and then repackaged. Make sure the country of origin is clearly marked or don’t buy it! Your best option is to purchase local honey!

 

When you are checking the labels watch for packages that state “prepared for” or “packed by” or “imported by”, instead look for items that are from the USA! For example the “Our Family” band of mandarin oranges says right on the can that it is from China, pay a little more and purchase those from California!

Bottom line, check the bottom of every product you buy and if it says “Made in China” or “PRC” simply find another product or do without. Start reading your labels more closely and buy something else even if it costs a few cents more!

Support your local farmer’s markets in season, start your own garden and purchase meat from local farmers! You’ll be much better off!