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Green Food & Drink
Eco-Friendly Sugar Option
Stevia is an ultra-low calorie, eco-friendly alternative to sugar. Cane sugar has been in great demand for hundreds of years, and as a result, lots of land has been degraded in its farming. Sugar cultivation is to blame for habitat destruction, soil erosion, herbicide and pesticide poisoning of water and eutrophications caused by nutrient and waste runoff. There are also environmental concerns related to the process of refining sugar. Typically people are driven to use sugar alternatives because of their health or because they are dieting. These people tend to replace their sugar with saccharin or aspartame. Aspartame is the most popular chemical alternative to sugar, as it is used in numerous processed foods and diets soft drinks. One component of saccharin is phthalic acid, which is not only a sweetener but is also used in plasticizers and for surface coatings. Phthalic acid is the source of a serious amount of water pollution in China, and thus saccharin has been banned in some nations. Aspartame isn’t a direct source of environmental problems. However, when it is ingested, aspartame breaks down into aspartic acid, phenylalanine and methanol. Phenylalanine may cause issues for sensitive people, but methanol is the bigger worry of the ...- Bookmark :
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Do You Know What’s In Your Bottled Water?
According to a new report by the Environmental Working Group, a survey of websites and labels of over 170 bottled waters sold in the United States discovered only 3 (only 1 of the top 10 domestic brands) provide consumers with information regarding the water’s source, the method of purification and any chemical pollutants that remained after the water was treated. Nestlé’s Pure Life Purified Water reveals its water source and treatment method on its label and provides a phone number that consumers can use to ask for a water quality test report. The 9 other top domestic brands (Pepsi’s Aquafina, Coca-Cola’s Dasani, Crystal Geyser, and 6 other of Nestlé’s seven brands) don’t answer at least one of the following 3 questions: 1. Where does the water come from? 2. How is the water purified? 3. Have tests found any contaminants? The EWG released a Bottled Water Scorecard in July 2009, which documented the water industry’s failure to reveal contaminant scores as well as other important information about their products. Thus, bottled water manufacturers have been the focus of consumer and environmental groups attention. The Government Accountability Office has taken the industry and the Food and Drug Administration to task for lax inspections and disclosure practices. ...- Bookmark :
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Genetically Engineered Salmon
The United States Food and Drug Administration very recently announced that genetically engineered salmon is safe to eat. However, the fish has not yet officially been approved for sale. The approval process for selling genetically engineered salmon could take some time if the Food and Drug Administration determines that the salmon could significantly affect the environment. In response to the announcement, legislators and activists are working on getting the genetically engineered salmon banned. 11 United States senators signed a letter addressed to the Food and Drug Administration commissioner requesting that the approval process be stopped. 29 members of the House of Representatives endorsed a similar letter. 53 food businesses and environmental groups signed both letters. A Food and Water poll discovered that 78% of Americans disagree with the approval of the genetically engineered salmon for human consumption. The company behind the genetically engineered salmon is Aquabounty. They claim that their salmon, which they have named AquAdvantage, grow twice as fast as real salmon, eat 10% less than real salmon, and are sustainable and safe. The Food and Drug Administration agrees with Aquabounty thus far. AquAdvantage salmon are sterile female Atlantic salmon. They have a growth gene from the Chinook aka king ...- Bookmark :
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Green Wine
Organic ingredients are key. To make organic wine you must grow organic grapes. Organic grapes indicate that no pesticides, chemical sprays, or forced growing processes are used. Animal manure and other natural fertilizers take the place of chemicals in the soil. Native predators are allowed to defend the plants against mites and disease, which is what pesticides normally do. Non-vine plants are allowed to grow around the grape plants instead of being stopped by lethal weed killers. The non-vine plants are trimmed and allowed to rot back into the earth as fertilizer. Let Mother Nature guide you. Biodynamic growing considers the ways in which ecology is affected by the movement of the moon, sun, and planets, in addition to what is being added to the soil and crops. The current certification body for biodynamic farms explains that the process allows the farm to be as close as possible to its natural wilderness state. There is minimal interruption from humans to reduce the carbon footprint typical to farming and vineyards. Planting, sowing, spraying, and fertilizing are executed in conjunction with the natural rhythms of light and climate. Have respect for the land. The top priority for sustainable wineries is maintaining the land so it can support ...- Bookmark :
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Green Beer
Organic beer is the way to go. Organic beer is on the rise with dozens of brands and brews to choose from. Beer with an organic label has been certified by the U.S. Department of Agriculture as following strict, legally binding farming regulations. The barley and hops are organically grown. There are no toxic pesticides, artificial fertilizers, or chemical preservatives; only fresh, non-toxic ingredients. Drinking and purchasing organic beer is a good way to support more sustainable agriculture and combat global warming. Some beers contain traces of animal products. Gelatin, which is made from animal tissue, or isinglass, which is a collagen made from fish bladders, are used to clarify beers without putting them through a filtration process. This is done because the filtration process could potentially lessen the flavor of the beer. If you’re vegan or vegetarian, try a brew like the Green Man Beer from New Zealand, which is completely animal free. Show your support for green beer companies. Pay attention for beer companies that are doing everything they can to achieve environmental responsibility. Pale Ale, Sierra Nevada powers its brewery with solar power. Anderson Brewery in Chico is solar powered and may be the first 100% sustainable brewery. Cascade Green is an ...- Bookmark :
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