I experienced a wonderful moment over the weekend, which even in that moment seemed like something out of Sesame Street. You know when the part of the show that has kids or families at peace with themselves and the world, put to some happy music? That’s what it was like. I felt like I needed a soundtrack.
I think we could all use a few more of those moments in our lives. When was your last peaceful moment?
With the recent recall of Cadbury chocolate made with milk from China containing melamine, we are once again talking about the problems involved with buying products made in China. I am sure you all have heard of the scandal involving the illegal (and dangerous) use of melamine in infant milk formula which has caused more than 50,000 children to become sick and at least 4 deaths. Now that contaminated milk has been found in Cadbury’s chocolate meant for the Asian market (Cadbury’s chocolate sold in the U.S. is not affected by this recall). This is just the most recent recall of products made in China where dangerous materials were used to cut costs. I believe it is also opening the eyes of American consumers to the problems in China.
The answer is really simple. Everyone needs to pay more attention to what they are buying. From the bottle, teethers, or pacifiers that you give to your infant to put in her mouth to the trains you give to your toddler to the chocolate you buy for yourself, everyone needs to make smarter and more informed choices.
Not everything made in China is bad. So many companies have been forced by the market demanding cheaper products to move production overseas. Some of these companies make sure that the factories they use are fair trade certified to guarantee that the workers are working in good conditions and earning a fair wage. Some even provide the raw materials to the factory, ensuring product quality and safety. But these companies still need to be vigilant about maintaining those standards.
Look to see where everything is made. Research the companies that do have products made in China. Be prepared to spend more to get the quality you and your family deserve. Only when Americans take a stand about the quality and safety of what we buy for ourselves and our loved ones will there be any change at all. We need to change our shopping culture to ensure the health and safety of the products we buy.
The big talk this fall with kids going back to school has been green lunch boxes. Not only do we need to think about the foods what we’re giving our kids for lunch (or snack for pre-schoolers), but we need to think about the lunch boxes and disposable wrappers and bags we use to contain that food. The Oregon Environmental Council (OEC) has created an Eco-Healthy Lunch Box Kit that looks fabulous!
It contains:
So, if you’re still looking for a safe lunch box, go check this one out! You’ll have the peace of mind knowing that the food you lovingly prepare for your child is not going to be coming in contact with any unsafe materials or chemicals, plus you are supporting a great organization that promotes healthier lives for all of us!
“Does watermelon have protein?,” asks my four year old son at dinner.
“No, only seeds. Just seeds,” replied my two year old.
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At least we know where that watermelon came from, seeds and all! With so many of our foods, we have no idea where it is coming from. Nearly 440,000 facilities in over 170 countries supply food to the U.S. The FDA admits that it is not capable of monitoring such a vast global food network and with recent food safety concerns, like with the peppers from Mexico, that is a scary thought. At least now consumers can make choices about the food they buy based on where it came from. The more information the better!
Beginning on Sept. 30, the law mandating the country-of-origin label (COOL) will be implemented. There are still many foods that remain exempt due to heavy pressure from the food industry, but here are what foods should be labeled next month:
Foods that won’t have the COOL:
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