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Natural Awakenings Central New Jersey

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NOFA-NJ Supports State Bill to Label Genetically Engineered Foods

Genetically modified foods have been a hot topic in the news lately.  And independent films such as King Corn, GMO OMG and Seeds of Death have helped bring the issue of genetically engineered foods to the forefront of the public consciousness in the United States.    Up until 1994 there were no genetically engineered crops planted in the US.  Today, according to the USDA 2011 report 88% of all corn produced in the US has been genetically modified and 94 percent of the US soybean crop.  Other GMO ingredients to look out for include canola where 90 percent of the US canola crop was genetically modified in 2010 and sugar beets; 95 percent of the US sugar-beet crop was genetically modified in 2009, according to the USDA. Around half of the sugar produced in the US comes from sugar beets. Think about that soda!

Corn is processed into a multitude of food products including starch, sweeteners, corn oil and beverages and it has been estimated  that 70-75% of all grocery store products contain at least one genetically modified ingredient. Because of the prevalence of soy and corn in processed foods, about 30,000 genetically modified food products sit on US grocery store shelves.   You have almost certainly consumed GE foods, whether you knew it or not and that’s because there are no mandatory labeling laws in the State of New Jersey.   If you’re looking to stay away from GM0s, look to buy food labeled 100% organic or GMO free and make sure your meat and eggs  are from  100% grass-fed or pasture-fed animals  (not grain finished, unless you know it’s organic grain).

While the potential health risks and environmental impact of genetically modified organisms (GMOs) are being debated, NOFA-NJ has been working hard to educate the public about GMO foods and working aggressively with our partners GMO Free NJ and Food & Water Watch in Trenton to get legislation past requiring genetically modified food to be labeled for consumers. If you wish to be a part of our efforts please join our Public Policy and Advocacy Committee.

To read more about GMO and food labeling go to Why GMO Food Labeling Matters at http://www.theepochtimes.com/n3/218656-why-gmo-labeling-matters/.

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Tick Talk

Spring officially sprung on March 21. We have turned our clocks ahead. We are looking forward to warm winds, sunny skies and the smell of fresh cut grass. The daffodils and tulips have recently bloomed and we are just starting with the yard work that comes with the warmer weather.  Sadly, another season has started ramping up.  Tick season.

•             The best form of protection is prevention. Educating oneself about tick activity and how our behaviors overlap with tick habitats is the first step.

•             According to the NJ DOH, in 2022 Hunterdon County led the state with a Lyme disease incidence rate of 426 cases per 100,000 people. The fact is ticks spend approximately 90% of their lives not on a host but aggressively searching for one, molting to their next stage or over-wintering. This is why a tick remediation program should be implemented on school grounds where NJ DOH deems high risk for tick exposure and subsequent attachment to human hosts.

•             Governor Murphy has signed a bill that mandates tick education in NJ public schools. See this for the details.  Tick education must now be incorporated into K-12 school curriculum. See link:

https://www.nj.gov/education/broadcasts/2023/sept/27/TicksandTick-BorneIllnessEducation.pdf

•             May is a great month to remind the public that tick activity is in full swing. In New Jersey, there are many tickborne diseases that affect residents, including Anaplasmosis, Babesiosis, Ehrlichiosis, Lyme disease, Powassan, and Spotted Fever Group Rickettsiosis.

•             For years, the focus has mainly been about protecting ourselves from Lyme disease. But other tick-borne diseases are on the rise in Central Jersey. An increase of incidence of Babesia and Anaplasma are sidelining people too. These two pathogens are scary because they effect our blood cells. Babesia affects the red blood cells and Anaplasma effects the white blood cells.

•             Ticks can be infected with more than one pathogen. When you contract Lyme it is possible to contract more than just that one disease. This is called a co-infection. It is super important to pay attention to your symptoms. See link.

https://twp.freehold.nj.us/480/Disease-Co-Infection

A good resource from the State:

https://www.nj.gov/health/cd/topics/tickborne.shtml

 

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