Issue by Issue Revisions, Part II: Obesity, Mercury

I don't know if this is a new development or not, but Alas, A Blog has a great post about the science behind the "obesity epidemic."

What was it I read lately about food labeling? I believe they are attempting to create a "national" standard for food labeling - that would in essence reduce the amount of info on the labels as some states require more disclosure on the labels.

You might find something pertinent in an article in yesterday's Boston Globe (www.globe.com), "Mercury Down 32% in Fish Near Mass. Incinerators." The article states that some states are seeking stricter mercury control regulations than what the EPA has, and eleven states are suing over the EPA's "market incentive" approach to mercury regulation, which they claim violates the Clean Air Act.

The food chapter probably doesn't need much updating. Fortunately, for me as a food chemist, the government seems to be leaving food science alone. The lack of funding is obviously a big issue for both academic food science (rather than industry based) and agriculture in general.

There are a couple of issues you should certainly mention.

The recent passing in the house of representatives of the "National Uniformity for Food Act" which affects labelling and state regulations towards food safety as mentioned by quisp. Let me know if you want more info. It is certainly a start of the food industry's juggernaut towards control especially of states such as California that have very thorough regulations (see prop 65 and, an interest of mine, acrylamide).

Trans fats are now required on the nutritional facts panel on a food label.

Also allegies and allergens are a big issue with labelling.

In my opinion some of the fuss over obesity is being used to hide other issues, but that is probably something for another book.

There are no religious overtones with the food stuff as far as I know.

I'll try and reread the chapter this week and let you know if I have any further thoughts.

Thank you all for your help. The food chapter centrally focused on obesity so I probably won't range farther afield than that....Harris, thanks for the mercury tip, definitely going to do an update on this.

Oops, brain cells not entirely synchronized yet, that Boston Globe URL is www.boston.com, not globe.com. Sorry 'bout that.

I think the obesity epidemic is much more due to the food marketing industry and lifestyle changes than to food science.

Are you doing anything about the possible links between mercury and autism? I was at an Environment and Health Conference here in Pittsburgh a year ago and there was quite a lot of talk about that.

Re: mercury - Lisa Heinzerling did a very thorough review in a pair of law review articles (2004) that you can find online at her website:
http://www.law.georgetown.edu/faculty/Heinzerling/articles.htm
My guess is that she would be a good source for anything beyond that as well.

Certainly you've noticed the billboards in the Metro here in DC blasting the mercury hype from our buddies at the Center for Consumer Freedom, the same folks who blasted the obesity epidemic myth. Industry-funded junk science advocates.

http://www.fishscam.com/
http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php?title=Center_for_Consumer_Freedom

Here's one of their job postings for a writer/researcher; Chris, you'd be perfect for this:

"The Center for Consumer Freedom is looking for a seasoned researcher/writer/project director to continue its fight against the growing food cop cabal of trial lawyers, bureaucrats, and radical activists. This position requires an inquisitive, high-energy individual with a probing mind, good sense of humor, and an antipathy to meddlesome so-called do-gooders. Downtown DC location and non-stop adrenaline provided. No amateurs, please. This battle is too important to be left to the weak-hearted."

Chris,

Here are my mercury links for the past year. I don't know if there is anything new here, but help yourself. The one other thing I've become aware of was the research looking at the competing risks of mercury exposure (too much fish in the diet) versus inadequate omega-3-fatty acid supplementation (not enough fish in the diet). It's on my blogging list, but I haven't gotten to it yet. Drop me a line at this address if you have questions - I've changed e-mail accounts, so the e-mail address at the Impact Analysis blog page is dead, and I need to update the page.

http://impact_analysis.blogspot.com/2005/01/fugitives-from-reality.html

http://impact_analysis.blogspot.com/2005/02/more-mercury-factoids.html

http://impact_analysis.blogspot.com/2005/02/mercury-factoids.html

http://impact_analysis.blogspot.com/2005/02/sounds-like-science.html

http://impact_analysis.blogspot.com/2005/03/controversies-over-mercury-…

Cheers,

John

The trans fat labeling is still weak; these folks seem to nail the problems (a half gram per serving is equal to zero for labeling; how many kids stop at "one serving" when the vending machine package contains more; and how many different products might you get some of that zero amount from per day).
http://www.bantransfats.com/

Effect Measure has written about benzene in soft drinks. The FDA says there isn't a problem, but the amount of benzene in soft drinks is higher than the amount the EPA considers safe in drinking water, and the FDA seems to be pretty quiet about the issue.

In thailand we are having a government inquiry about benzene because it in soft drink too much and has been linked to many people confused about sexuality, too many male youngster now want to be ladyboy. We not have strict regulation like rest of world and benzene is in much large quantity than Europe and USA up to 20 times higher and suggested that in the 1970;s was up to 200 times higher, which why so many ladyboys now, it affect hormone imbalance making estrogen..sory for bad english

KAT