I have a few strict criteria that will automatically make me
bypass an item at the grocery store.
1.
Meat that has come from a CAFO
The barbaric conditions alone are enough to convince me to
spend my money elsewhere, but there’s also the public health aspect of this
industry that are truly alarming. Want to build a superbug? Cram a lot of
animals together in a small area, feed them foods they never evolved to consume
and make them sick, treat the really sick ones with antibiotics then sit back
and watch the array of micro-organisms adapt and become resistant. It’s an
interesting experiment the first time around but this procedure has been
repeated often enough that we’re now running out of antibiotics that have any
effectiveness.
2.
Genetically Engineered
The debate is still raging about the safety of these foods
and the potential ecological damage they might cause. I’m skeptical of the
safety claims and choose to not consume them. Additionally, I’ve seen enough
evidence of GMO crops spawning the emergence of superpests and superweeds (see
the CAFO rant to figure out how the process works) that I’m convinced this area
of biotech will be unsustainable and result in a variety of pests and weeds
that we will not be able to control in a cost effective way.
3.
Contains toxins
This is a long list of foods I simply refuse to eat. Any
form of MSG will sideline me out with a vicious headache and I simply can’t see
a benefit to eating something that excites neurons in my brain to the point of
death in order to make it taste a little better.
Artificial sweeteners are on this list as well. Some people
love them but I’m unconvinced of their safety so I choose not to consume them.
I may not ever buy this stuff to consume but I might buy more if our ant
problem gets worse. I’ve successfully eliminated one ant colony in our backyard
with a few packages of an artificial sweetener so it could come in handy.
4.
Artificial preservatives
I question the safety of these and I also can’t wrap my head
around the logic of eating something that is resistant to being broken down.
Sure, it lasts longer on the shelf but the same chemicals that keep it on the
shelf longer will also have a similar impact on your gut flora.
5.
Artificial colors
There are a lot of artificial colorings being used in this
country that have been banned just about everywhere else in the world and have
been linked to a variety of conditions from ADD to cancer. To me it just isn’t
worth the risk.
6.
Political affiliations and social issues
I really wish this wasn’t a consideration but in this hyper-partisan
political climate which has crossed into the suppression of the rights of
individuals I can’t in good conscience cast my vote of approval for their
actions and buy their product. If a company
actively supports disenfranchising voters; stripping workers of basic labor
rights; financial support of groups promoting bigoted, homophobic agendas; or,
actively lobbies to undermine environmental protection or consumer safety laws,
you can be certain I’m not going to buy their product.
Beyond these categories things start to get a little fuzzy
with ethics.
1.
Organic vs. conventionally grown
I’m an environmentalist so my preference is to always buy
organic but there are certain instances where I’ll buy conventionally grown
produce either due to the limited risk of consuming a chemical residue or that
the specific item in question just doesn’t require much chemical help in order
to thrive. If there’s an organic option I will almost always choose it as I’d
rather my money not indirectly go to the producers of pesticides, herbicides,
fungicides, and synthetic fertilizers.
2.
Locally sourced
My preference would be to eat locally sourced food due to
the reduced carbon footprint associated with getting it to the table. I would
love for this to be a rule without compromise but I really enjoy wines from
Argentina and Chile; pineapples and bananas just don’t do well here in Colorado
without some heroic and unsustainable efforts; and salmon simply don’t swim
this far inland.
3.
General business practices
If your company is raking in record profits through the
outsourcing of jobs to 3rd world countries that have a more business
friendly environment (lax labor and environmental laws) then there’s a good
chance I’m not going to buy your product.
This certainly isn’t an inclusive list of all the things I’m
considering while I’m walking through the grocery store but it is a highlight of
the things that are important to me.
-S
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