Healthy News Daily: Food Intolerance

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<img alt="" class="imagecache imagecache-frontpage" src="http://www.foodfirst.org/sites/www.foodfirst.org/files/imagecache/frontpage/Food_for_Peace_0.jpg" title="Infographic of corporate interest in US Food Aid" /></div>
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On February 21st, 69 organizations submitted a <a href="http://www.acdivoca.org/site/Lookup/Food-for-Peace-FY14-Budget-Letter-2-20-13/$file/Food-for-Peace-FY14-Budget-Letter-2-20-13.pdf" target="_blank">letter</a> to President Barack Obama in support of continued funding for <a href="http://www.fas.usda.gov/excredits/foodaid/title%201/pl480ofst.html" target="_blank">Public Law 480 </a>(also known as Food for Peace) and Food for Progress international food aid programs in the FY 2014 budget, and opposing rumored proposals to shift resources to local and regional commodity procurement. The signatory organizations were comprised almost exclusively by the iron triangle of US food aid spending recipients (the US agribusiness, shipping, and international development industries). Funding, which is attached to the Farm Bill, has been <a href="http://www.thefreelibrary.com/Food+for+peace+extended,+but+funding+uncertain.-a0314801325" target="_blank">reauthorized</a> by President Obama under Title VII of the fiscal cliff legislation through this September. However, these food aid programs depend on congressional appropriations, which have only been approved through March 27th. Big changes, or more of the same, could be in store for food aid legislation in the near future[1]. 
Currently, US food aid is dominated by in-kind donations (direct gifts of food)-an infamously inefficient system-and monetization, a system in which US agricultural commodities are donated to development organizations so that they can sell them to fund projects. This approach to food aid has been widely criticized for decades, including by the Congress' Government Accountability Office. The NGO Oxfam, once a beneficiary of PL 480, has been calling for food aid reform for years, putting an emphasis on the need for local commodity procurement. CARE, one of the three major NGO distributors of US food aid across the world, recently followed suit. Canada and Europe have shifted nearly all food aid resources away from in-kind distribution in favor of local procurement. The US, sticking to its M.O., is the loner; in 2007, 99.3% of US food aid was in-kind.
 
The letter to President Obama notes that "food aid programs have enjoyed strong bipartisan support for nearly 60 years because they work." The question is, for whom? By law, 75% of food aid from the US must be purchased, processed, transported, and distributed by US companies. In 2002, just two US companies-ADM and Cargill-controlled 75% of the global grain trade, with US government contracts to manage and distribute 30% of food aid grains. Only four companies control 84% of the transport and delivery of food aid worldwide [2].
 
The letter continues by stating: "Food for Progress expands business and income opportunities along the agricultural value chain." This has certainly been the case for the US food, maritime shipping, and international development industries. For recipient countries, however, food aid has a long history of displacing local production. According to a 2005 <a href="http://www.oxfam.org/sites/www.oxfam.org/files/bp71_food_aid.pdf" target="_blank">Oxfam report</a>, "There is strong historical evidence that the use of food aid tends to correlate with long-term dependence on food imports." Due to foreign exchange difficulties during the 1990s, the Philippines was unable to sustain imports of soybean meal. PL 480 food aid was used to finance the purchase of US exports. By the early 2000s, the Philippines was the largest market for US soybean meal worldwide and 90% of total imports came from the US. This points to another use of food aid: the explicit expansion of markets abroad for US products. USAID states, "Of the 50 largest customers for US agricultural goods, 43 - including Egypt, Indonesia, Korea, Taiwan, and Thailand - formerly received food assistance. In short, aid leads to trade, from which Americans stand to benefit directly" [3].
 
The effects of food aid are not limited only to local food production, processing, and distribution. It has also outcompeted national exporters, as in the case of Guyana and Jamaica. When US food aid rice poured in to Jamaica, Guyanese producers were unable to maintain a hold in the Jamaican rice market [4]. This process shifts poverty from one country to another, effectively defeating the public premise of food aid.
 
Food aid is perhaps most infamous for the practice of dumping, or disposing of surplus food commodities in vulnerable national markets. In this case, food aid functions as just another US agricultural subsidy. In 2007, despite growing hunger, food aid fell globally by 15%, the lowest level since 1961. This reflects the tendency of food aid to respond to international grain prices-and not to the food needs of the poor. When the price of cereals is low, Northern countries and transnational grain companies sell their commodities through food aid programs. When prices are high, they sell their grains on the global market. So, when people are less able to buy food, less food aid arrives [5].
 
In contrast, local and regional procurement of food aid, along with cash vouchers, could decrease US food aid costs by 50%, bolster the development of local food markets and long-term economies, and allow US food aid recipient countries to build their own assistance programs. Timi Gerson of the American Jewish World Service (AJWS) told IPS that a switch to local procurement "would be able to reach 17 million more people - so we're only getting to about two-thirds of the people we could be." An anti-hunger coalition led by AJWS, Oxfam America, and Bread for the World Institute issued a joint statement saying: "Current regulations on the food aid program in the Farm Bill protect special interests," aka the iron triangle of food aid, "at the expense of the hungry, and [that means] that more than a quarter of every dollar the U.S. spends on food aid goes to waste" [6].
 
The 2008 Farm Bill authorized a Local and Regional Food Aid Procurement pilot program, which funds cash food aid projects through grants and uses cooperative agreements for local procurement during food crises. Detailed results of the 2009 to 2011 pilot projects were reported to the USDA by grantees. A Cornell study of the results indicated that the pilot projects achieved greater efficiency and effectiveness of food aid delivery, while avoiding the negative impacts, such as displacement of local production and import dependencies that in-kind food aid has caused historically. When sourced locally versus when sourced in the US and shipped across oceans, cereals cost on average 54% less and pulses 24% less. Average delivery time was also reduced by 62% or about 14 weeks. For victims of natural disasters, this time window could be the difference between life and death [7].
 
The letter in question makes several accurate statements yet omits the true impacts of food aid on recipient countries. It does, however, contain one lie, stating that PL 480 facilitates "developmental programs to end the cycle of hunger," when in fact it propagates it. Hunger is big business. Food for Peace ends up looking a lot more like Food for Profit. The letter ends with one final truth, declaring that food aid programs are "some of our most effective, lowest-cost national security tools." By handicapping local food markets across the world, food aid keeps poor countries poor and compliant, and provides US-based companies with dependable markets for the dumping of surplus food commodities when global grain prices are low. Rice and wheat cost a lot less than bombs.
 
Companies and Organizations supporting Public Law 480 
What is their interest? / Follow the money (sustain PL 480)						 
1	ACDI/VOCA, Intl Dev NGO 
2	Adventist Development & Relief Agency International, Intl Dev NGO 
3	Alliance for Global Food Security, nonprofit alliance 
4	America Cargo Transport Corp., Transportation Business 
5	American Feed Industry Association, Food Industry Lobby 
6	American Maritime Congress, Transportation M Lobby 
7	American Maritime Officers, Transportation M Union 
8	American Maritime Officers’ Service, Transportation M Lobby 
9	American Peanut Council,	Food Industry Lobby 
10	American Soybean Association, Food Industry Lobby 
11	APL Limited, Transportation M Business 
12	BKA Logistics LLC, Transportation M Business 
13	California Wheat Commission,	Food Industry Research 
14	Central Gulf Lines, Inc., Transportation M Business 
15	Congressional Hunger Center,	Food Industry Lobby 
16	Counterpart International, Intl Dev NGO 
17	Feed the Children, Intl Dev NGO 
18	Food for the Hungry, Intl Dev NGO 
19	Global Food & Nutrition, Food Industry Business 
20	Hapag-Lloyd USA, LLC, Transportation M Business 
21	International Organization of Masters, Mates & Pilots, Transportation M Union 
22	International Partnership for Human Development,	 Intl Dev NGO 
23	International Relief & Development, Intl Dev NGO 
24	International Services Corporation,	OTHER - Funeral + Cementery services 
25	Joint Aid Management USA, Intl Dev NGO 
26	Lake Charles Harbor and Terminal District, Transportation M Port 
27	Land O’Lakes, Food Industry Business 
28	Liberty Maritime Corporation, Transportation M Business 
29	Maersk Line, Ltd., Transportation M Business 
30	Marine Engineers’ Beneficial Association, Transportation M Union 
31	Maritime Institute for Research and Industrial Development, Transportation M Business 
32	National Association of Wheat Growers, Food Industry Lobby 
33	National Barley Growers Association, Food Industry Lobby 
34	National Corn Growers Association,	Food Industry Lobby 
35	National Cotton Council, Food Industry Lobby 
36	National Council of Farmer Cooperatives, Food Industry Lobby 
37	National Farmers Union, Food Industry Union 
38	National Oilseed Processors Association, Food Industry Lobby 
39	National Potato Council, Food Industry Lobby 
40	National Renderers Association, Food Industry Lobby 
41	National Sorghum Producers, Food Industry Lobby 
42	North American Millers' Association, Food Industry Lobby 
43	OIC International, Intl Dev NGO 
44	Pacific Cargoes Incorporated, Transportation M Business 
45	PCI,	<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/PCI" title="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/PCI">http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/PCI</a> 
46	Planet Aid, Inc., Intl Dev NGO 
47	Sailors’ Union of the Pacific, Transportation M Union 
48	Salesian Missions, Intl Dev NGO 
49	Seafarers International Union, Transportation M Union 
50	Sealift, Inc., Transportation M Business 
51	Southern United States Trade Association, OTHER 
52	TechnoServe, Inc., Intl Dev NGO 
53	Transportation Institute, Transportation M Lobby 
54	United Maritime Group, LLC, Transportation M Business 
55	United Methodist Committee on Relief, Intl Dev NGO 
56	US Dry Bean Council, Food Industry Trade Assoc 
57	U.S. Grains Council, Food Industry Trade Assoc 
58	U.S. Meat Export Federation, Food Industry Trade Assoc 
59	U.S. Overseas Cooperative Development Council, Intl Dev NGO 
60	US Rice Producers Association, Food Industry Trade Assoc 
61	U.S. Wheat Associates, Food Industry Trade Assoc 
62	USA Dry Pea and Lentil Council, Food Industry Trade Assoc 
63	USA Maritime, Transportation M Lobby 
64	USA Rice Federation, Food Industry Trade Assoc 
65	Washington State Potato Commission, Food Industry Trade Assoc 
66	Waterman Steamship Corporation, Transportation M Business 
67	Western U.S. Agricultural Trade Association, Food Industry Trade Assoc 
68	Winrock International, Intl Dev NGO 
69	World Vision, Intl Dev NGO 
 
Definitions of categories 
Lobby = associations of food industry, transportation, and trade groups					 
Trade association = organization that develops new and existing intl markets for US food commodity exports					 
Transportation M - Business = maritime shipping, container transport, commercial shipping, etc. 
 
by Brock Hicks  
References:
 
[1] Holt-Giménez, Eric, and Raj Patel. <a href="http://www.blogger.com/en/node/2387">Food Rebellions: Crisis and the Hunger for Justice. Food First Books, 2012.</a> 
[2] Holt-Giménez et al. 2012. Op Cit. 
[3]  Kripke, Gawain. Food Aid or Hidden Dumping? Separating Wheat from Chaff. Oxfam International, 2005. <a href="http://www.oxfam.org/sites/www.oxfam.org/files/bp71_food_aid.pdf" title="http://www.oxfam.org/sites/www.oxfam.org/files/bp71_food_aid.pdf">http://www.oxfam.org/sites/www.oxfam.org/files/bp71_food_aid.pdf</a> 
[4] Kripke 2005. Op Cit. 
[5] Holt-Giménez et al. 2012. Op Cit.  
[6] Biron, Carey L. "Groups Applaud Potential Reforms to U.S. Food Aid." Inter Press Service News Agency. February 27, 2013. <a href="http://www.ipsnews.net/2013/02/aid-groups-applaud-potential-reforms-to-u-s-food-aid/" title="http://www.ipsnews.net/2013/02/aid-groups-applaud-potential-reforms-to-u-s-food-aid/">http://www.ipsnews.net/2013/02/aid-groups-applaud-potential-reforms-to-u...</a> 
[7] American Jewish World Service. The Time Is Now for Food Aid Reform: Five Reasons Why U.S. Policies Are Ripe for Reform in the Next Farm Bill, 2012.
 
 
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The US Food Aid Industry: Food for Peace or Food for Profit?

On February 21st, 69 organizations submitted a letter to President Barack Obama in support of continued funding for Public La...

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Food poisoning is Associate in Nursing acute stomach flu caused by the consumption of a food material or a drink that contains the unhealthful small organism or their toxins or toxic chemicals.Food poisoning is common in hostels,hotels,communal feedings, and festivel seasons. 
 
A group of persons are affected with same kind of symptoms ,and they provides a history of consumption of a standard food before few hours. 
 
Types of illness 
 
1) microorganism food poisoning: 
 
Here the small organisms referred to as microorganism ar accountable.The food material might contain the unhealthful bacteriae or their poisonous substance and can be eaten at the side of the food. 
 
2) Non microorganism food poisoning: 
 
Due to the presence of toxicant chemicals like fertilizers,insectisides,heavy metals and shock treatment. 
 
Since microorganism illness is common it's mentioned here. 
 
Bacterial food poisoning: 
 
All microorganism don't seem to be harmful.There ar some unhealthful microorganism that secrete toxins and cause clinical manifestations.These organisms enter the form through food articles or drinks. 
 
How illness occures: 
 
1) Presence of microorganism within the water. 
 
2) The raw materials for the food might contain toxins. 
 
3) Premises wherever the food is ready might contain small organisms or toxins. 
 
4) Food handlers might have some infectious diseases. 
 
5) Some animals like dogs,rats might contaminate the food. 
 
6) If ready food is unbroken within the temperature for a protracted time and heated once more will create an opportunity for illness. 
 
7) deliberately some body commixture toxins within the food. 
 
 
Some common microorganism food poisonings. 
 
1) enterics food poisoning: 
 
There ar 3 completely different types of {salmonella|enteric microorganism|enterobacteria|enterics} bacteria.(salmonella typhimurium,salmonella infectious disease suis,salmonella enteritidis) These microorganism ar gift in milk, milk product and eggs.  Symptoms of this illness embody nausea, emesis and looseness of the bowels.  Fever is additionally common. 
 
2) Botulism: 
 
This is the damaging kind of illness caused by botulinus.   The spores of those organisms ar seen within the soil and enters the form through pickles and canned fish shock treatment.Compared to different food poisonings here emesis and looseness of the bowels ar rare primarily the systema nervosum is affected.The symptoms starts with visual impairment,numbness with weakness.Later there'll be disfunction with internal organ and metabolic process failure ending in death. 
 
3) cocci food poisoning: 
 
It is caused by staphylo cocci aureus. These organisms sometimes cause skin troubles like boils and eruptions.It causes rubor in cow.Through the milk and milk product it enders and causes stomach flu.There will be emesis,abdominal cramps with looseness of the bowels. 
 
4) Closteridium food poisoning: 
 
This is caused by closteridium perfringens.They are gift in stool,soil and water. They enter the body through,meat,meat dishes and egg shock treatment.If food articles ar baked and unbroken in temperature for a protracted time and heated once more before uptake may end up this illness.Symptoms embody emesis ,diarrhoea and abdominal cramps. 
 
5) Bacilli cereus: 
 
The spores of those organisms will survive preparation and causes redness. looseness of the bowels and emesis is common during this infection. 
 
 
How to investigate food poisoning? 
 
1) Examine every and each person affected. 
 
2) Water sample ought to be tested. 
 
3) Kitchen, store space and food samples ought to be examined. 
 
4) The cook and food handlers ought to be questioned and examined. 
 
5) Samples of body waste and stool of all victims ought to be tested to spot the microorganism. 
 
 
How to forestall food poisoning:- 
 
1) solely sublimate water ought to be used. 
 
2) Hygiene ought to be maintained by all persons keeping contact with food. 
 
3) staff ought to use masks, cap and gloves throughout preparation and serving. 
 
4) Sick people shouldn't are available contact with food materials. 
 
5) room and premises ought to be neat and clean. 
 
5) Vessels ought to be washed with soap and predicament. 
 
6) shouldn't keep the ready food for a protracted time in temperature. 
 
7) All food materials ought to be unbroken in closed containers. 
 
8) Animals like dog, cat, rat shock treatment shouldn't are available contact with food materials. 
 
9) Vegetables ought to be washed before preparation. 
 
10) Meat ought to be recent and may be purchased from recognised slaughter house.

FOOD POISONING

Food poisoning is Associate in Nursing acute stomach flu caused by the consumption of a food material or a drink that contains the unhealt...