Alliance for Food and Farming. The Real Danger of the Dirty Dozen List: Perspectives for Journalists

Transcription

1 Alliance for Food and Farming The Real Danger of the Dirty Dozen List: Perspectives for Journalists

2 The Organizer Marilyn Dolan Executive Director Alliance for Food and Farming

3 Webinar Tips

4 Alliance for Food and Farming The REAL Danger of the Dirty Dozen List

5 Welcome from Alliance Chairman Alliance started in plus members throughout U.S. Farmers with small and large farms Organic and conventional farmers. Assists farmers talk about food safety and care for the land. Matt McInerney Executive Vice President

6 Thank you to our Sponsor

7 Why this issue is important Media coverage of Dirty Dozen is pervasive. Consumers are concerned about the issue of pesticide residues on food. The issue is damaging the reputation of our products. Concern is beginning to impact consumption of fresh fruits and vegetables.

8 Expert Panel In July 2009, Alliance commissioned an independent review of the science behind the Dirty Dozen list. Farmers want to be sure their products are safe. Team of five scientists in risk assessment, toxicology and nutrition. Led by Dr. Rick Reiss, Exponent, Inc.

9 Project Leader Dr. Rick Reiss Experienced environmental health scientist. Expertise in risk assessment and exposure assessment. Provides consulting services related to scientific issues. Principal Scientist, Chemical Regulation and Food Safety President, Society for Risk Analysis

10 Purpose of the Report b To evaluate statements Evaluate the basis of rankings in the Dirty Dozen list. Review methodology used to develop the Dirty Dozen list. Examine scientific evidence linking pesticides and health effects.

11 The Panel Members Dr. Penny Fenner-Crisp, EPA, retired Dr. Carl L. Keen, University of California, Davis Dr. Jason Richardson, Robert Wood Johnson, Medical School Dr. Rudy Richardson, University of Michigan Dr. Karl Rozman, University of Kansas

12 Report Findings The list is an impediment to good health because it discourages consumption of fresh produce. The list is misleading to consumers. There is no scientific evidence that the levels of pesticides on fruits and vegetables pose any risk.

13 Scientific Basis of the Dirty Dozen Risk = Exposure * Toxicity Dirty dozen list only considers Exposure, but makes no attempt to address toxicity There are reliable and well-established and accepted methods for assessing the risk of small doses of chemicals, but EWG made no attempt to apply them.

14 Science on Pesticide Residue Health Effects There is little published epidemiologic literature on pesticide residue health effects. One recent study on ADHD provides limited information, but is inconclusive Vast majority of pesticide health studies address nondietary exposures, particularly from occupational exposure. EWG cites many of these studies, but they are of limited usefulness EWG also cites studies of non-pesticides (e.g., mercury, PCBs, phthalates and dioxins)

15 EPA s Regulatory Process Key points about EPA s process for regulating pesticide residues: More testing for pesticides than any other chemicals, including tests on developing fetuses Includes safety factors and an additional factor to protect infants, children, and fetuses Uses highest percentile of exposure for any EPA assessment (99.9 th for acute exposures) Considers aggregate risk from other sources Considers cumulative risk of other pesticides Cannot conduct cost-benefit analysis Most substantial risk assessment requirements of any program in U.S. government: Significantly more sophisticated than European program

16 Panel Member Dr. Carl Keen Mars Chair in Development Nutrition. Expertise role of nutrition in disease and birth defects. Interest in improving health through better nutrition. Professor of Nutrition and Internal Medicine University of California, Davis

17 Health Benefits of Consuming Fruits and Vegetables No evidence that pesticide residues at the levels found on produce pose risk to health. In contrast, the data on health benefits of consuming fruits and vegetables is substantial and convincing. Probable reductions in risk from diet rich in fruits and vegetables: High blood pressure Stroke Heart disease Some Cancers Digestive problems It is notable that people with high fruit and vegetable consumption have higher pesticide residue exposures.

18 Remaining Uncertainties About Fruit and Vegetable Health Benefits The precise fruit and vegetables that provide the most benefits are not known. Generally, the biological mechanisms of the benefits are still unknown Limiting one s diet to certain fruits and vegetables, and excluding others, is risky. May be making a trade-off between the known benefits of fruits and vegetables and the yet to-bedetermined effects of pesticide residues.

19 Differences in Nutritional Quality Two recent analyses address this issue: Winters and Davis (2006) review for Institute of Food Technologists. Dangour et al. (2009) review from London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine. Some differences are expected between conventional and organically-grown foods. Conventional crops have more nitrogen available, leading to more growth. Organic crops are more stressed and use more of its own chemical defense mechanisms. Neither study shows a nutritional difference.

20 Conclusions Mom was right! Enjoy the Abundance. Eat More.

21 More Really Does Matter Elizabeth Pivonka President, Produce for Better Health PBH is a non-profit consumer education foundation. Purpose is to motivate people to eat more fruits and vegetables for good health. Public/Private partnership. More Matters health initiative.

22 Current Consumption 2010 NPD Analysis Per capita fruit and vegetable consumption (in cups) has remained fairly stable over the past 5 years (fruit +2%, vegetables -2% 2009 vs. 2004). Only 6% of individuals achieve their recommended target for vegetables; 8% achieve their recommended target for fruit in an average day. However, several groups have increased their fruit consumption by at least 5% vs These include children ages 2-12, males and females Recommended level of fruit and vegetable consumption: ½ of what you eat.

23 Gen X & Gen Y Mom Fruit & Veg Attitudes Economic downturn s negative impact on mom s attitudes and behavior related to consumption of fruits and vegetables identified in 2009 appears to have diminished in In 2010, moms attitudes and behavior recovered to levels seen in Indicating return to positive momentum among mothers to increase fruit and vegetable consumption among family members. Both Gen X and Gen Y moms are pricesensitive, Gen Y moms are more likely to identify cost as barrier to consumption.

24 Consumer Perspective I m all about the produce! Dave Grotto, R.D., LDN

25 View from the Trenches Trend Surveys Conducted by Aramark Stop telling us what not to eat, start telling us what to eat. Add in versus take away approach to a healthier lifestyle

26 Nutrition Housecall July 12, 2010 Shelvic Exam

27 Patient s eye on oganic...

28 but isn t eating It!

29 York High School Study Chicago, April 2010 Do you eat fruit daily? Yes = 237, No = 61, No response = 4 20% don t eat fruit on a regular basis If you don t consume fruit daily, what is preventing you from doing so? #1. Convenience #2. Taste #3. Not Familiar with them

30 York High School Study cont d Do you eat vegetables daily? Y-186, No % don t eat vegetables on a regular basis If you don t consume vegetables daily, what is preventing you from doing so? #1. Convenience #2. Taste #3. Not Familiar with them Tray Waste studies more grim!

31 York High School Study cont d Met with parents to hear their concerns about school district food service and survey results. Nearly 40% mentioned Dirty Dozen and concerns for produce safety at their school.

32 Lofty Goals & Roadblocks to Achievement Dietary Guidelines for Americans Krebs-Smith et al found fruits, vegetables (specifically dark-green/orange vegetable varieties and legumes) promoted in the 2005 DGA are not being produced in quantities to meet present dietary recommendations for every American. Supply v. demand Produce deserts Role of media

33 New webpage

34 Content Overview of Expert Panel Report. Info on the experts. Complete research report. Information on the safety of US food supply and regulatory process. Nutritional information. More to come!!!

35 Q & A For more information: Alliance for Food and Farming (831) info@foodandfarming.info