TIP TALKS
The e-Newsletter of the
Toxics Information Project (TIP)
December, 2014
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IN THIS ISSUE
**LIB TALKS: Apology for Downer, Reasons to be Glad,
Gathering & Helping, Reminder, Blessings.
**LAST MINUTE HOLIDAY ALERT: Avoid or deal with
toxic decorations.
**GOOD NEWS: Companies Can Change! Two Examples
of Moving Forward!
**ACTIONS: Two Hypocritical Businesses That Need
A Push In the Right Direction
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LIB TALKS
**A HOLIDAY APOLOGY: Last month, TIP TALKS was late.
This time, I want to apologize for the toxic warnings that may
not seem in the spirit of the season. However, I felt it was
important to get the word out now, in hopes of helping you
to avoid nasty stuff that is not healthy for you or yours.
And one more thing (in the spirit of Columbo) – This TT
was produced in a mad dash. (You know holiday= hectic).
Excuse any errors.
**REASONS TO BE THANKFUL: The Good News this time,
however, is real, significant, and bodes well for progress in
the year and years ahead. Evidence accumulates about truly
healthful choices and about those that are toxin-laden – and
at least some companies are responding.
**CONCERNED PEOPLE ARE GATHERING: Here in RI we
have an active group working together on GMO labeling, with
ongoing meetings with each other, as well as a supportive
State Senator and policy people. Others are working with
farmers and food retailers to bring more healthy, local food to us.
**CONCERNED PEOPLE ARE HELPING EACH OTHER:
Recently, a “canary” suffering a number of sickening exposures
and problems called upon me for help. A note to my list of others
on my list brought forth a bunch of E-Mails offering ideas, resources,
and personal support to her.
**REMINDER: If you recall just one thing from this year’s advice
in TIP TALKS, let it be this: The most effective power you have
for change is your role as a “consumer”. And that works only
when you not only make good choices at the market – but when
you Tell the Sellers what you will and will not buy!
**BLESSINGS: If you’ve received an E-Mail from me, you know
that I always sign with, “Blessings, Liberty G”. I truly bless every
one of you, and am praying that our small efforts will contribute
to a better, more liveable planet for all as time goes by.
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HOLIDAY WARNING & AVOIDANCE TIPS
GHOSTS OF CHRISTMAS PAST, December 16, 2014
Study Finds Toxic Chemicals in a Majority
of Seasonal Holiday Décor Products;
HealthyStuff.org tested 69 seasonal holiday products purchased
in November 2014 from major retailers. More than two-thirds of
the products contained at least one hazardous chemical at levels
of concern. Beaded garlands were found to contain a multitude
of toxic contaminants. SEE: www.healthystuff.org for the full
study results. Here are a few products to avoid:
*Beaded garlands often contain multiple toxics, including
halogenated flame retardants
*Artificial greenery on wreaths & decorations made of vinyl
- may contain phthalates, flame retardants &/or organotins
*Figurines may contain lead in either metal or plastic parts
ALTERNATIVES: Instead of artificial garlands & wreaths,
opt for those made from real evergreen branches, mistletoe,
or holly. Visit a local Christmas tree farm, your local farmers’
market or garden center to find fresh cut greenery.
ALREADY BOUGHT STUFF? MITIGATE THE PROBLEM:
HealthyStuff.org recommends common sense precautions when
handling these products because they may contain hazardous
substances.
Do not allow children (or adults) to put small holiday
ornaments in their mouths.
· Wash your hands after handling the holiday light strings.
· Frequent vacuuming and reducing levels of dust can
reduce exposures to many of these chemicals of concern.
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GOOD NEWS
IS ORGANIC FOOD BETTER FOR YOU? STUDY SAYS YES!
http://foodrevolution.org/blog/organic-food-better /
Organic food sales have been exploding. But is organic food
really better for you, or does it just cost more? A team of
researchers, led by Newcastle University’s Professor Carlos
Leifert, wanted to find out. They analyzed 343 studies, conducting
the most extensive analysis of nutrient content in organic versus
conventional food to date. This is a groundbreaking piece of
research, and it is the most definitive report on the health value
of organic food that has ever been produced. See their remarkable
conclusions at: http://foodrevolution.org/blog/organic-food-better
COMPANIES CAN DO THE RIGHT THING –
TWO EXAMPLES FOR YOUR HOLIDAY ENCOURAGEMENT!
**BEN & JERRY’S –TRANSITIONING TO MORE NON-GMO
ICE CREAM, SUPPORTING GMO LABELING
Ben & Jerry's is in the process of transforming all its flavors to
non-genetically modified ingredients. See progress report at::
www.benjerry.com/whats-new/gmo-fairtrade-update
“The road for us to have our products sourced 100% from
non-GMO by origin, and fully Fairtrade Certified ingredients,
has been long with some fun and exciting challenges along the
way. However, we are happy to report we are beginning to see
the light at the end of the tunnel and are closing the gap on our
last flavors. We kicked off the production of our first fully converted
pints back in April of this year and we’re projecting to be completely
converted by the end of this October. We are proud to say that today
all of the ice cream in our newly designed packaging is being
produced with chunks and swirls that are Fairtrade Certified and
sourced only from non-GMO ingredients. This represents over 85%
of the ice cream we sell in the US, which equals a whopping 30 pints,
5 mini cups and 20 scoop shop flavors. We’re so close that we can
taste it...and it tastes delicious!” Other GMO-related links at B&J’s
site: www.benjerry.com/GMO
AND
www.benjerry.com/values/issues-we-care-about/support-gmo-labeling/our-non-gmo-standards
**STONYFIELD FARMS –DUMPED THE ANTI--LABELING IDFA.
See their response to our comment via their website:
Hello Liberty,
Thank you so much for your email of support. It means a lot to us,
because we feel so strongly that our fans deserve to know what’s
in their food. As you probably know, we are strong supporters GMO
labeling across the country. Our co-founder, Gary Hirshberg, helped
to start Just Label It (www.justlabelit.org) for just that reason.
So it was unfortunate when the International Dairy Foods Association
(IDFA) decided to participate in a lawsuit seeking to overturn
Vermont’s GMO labeling law. We’ve taken some time to consider
all of the information involved and to listen to what our fans have
to say about it, and we’ve decided to withdraw our membership
from the IDFA. It just doesn’t make sense to be a part of an
organization that’s fighting against what we support so strongly.
Our hope is that the IDFA will reconsider its position on this issue.
Thanks for being an aware consumer and a Stonyfield fan!
Sincerely, The Folks at Stonyfield
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ACTIONS
TWO HYPOCRITICAL PERSONAL CARE GIANTS NEED
A SCOLDING FOR FAKE CANCER CARE BEHAVIOR
Our friends at the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics reviewed the scientific
literature and found a host of carcinogens, formaldehyde releasers and
contaminants in products sold under the L’Oréal, Maybelline, and Garnier
brands - all owned by L’Oréal. Theyfound cancer-causing chemicals in
Procter & Gamble products including shampoos, lotions, cosmetics, and
hair dyes. They’ve cross-referenced this research with authoritative
bodies including the California Proposition 65 list of chemicals linked
to cancer, the International Agency for Research on Cancer, and the
National Toxicology Program.
TELL P & G – STOP PEDDLING PINK!
Procter & Gamble, the largest personal care product company in the
world, spent millions during October, Breast Cancer Awareness Month,
to promote products that are packed with cancer-causing chemicals.
Major P&G brands such as Tide, Pantene, Herbal Essence, & CoverGirl
are full of carcinogens and are sold to customers without so much as
a warning on the label. Dozens of potentially dangerous chemicals
can be found across the spectrum of P&G products. By putting
chemicals linked to cancer in P&G products, the corporation
is running a dangerous experiment on human health. Many of the
chemicals P&G uses are banned in various places around the world.
There is no reason for Procter & Gamble to put cancer-causing chemicals
in its personal beauty products when safer alternatives exist. P&G
plasters its products in pink to try to convince consumers that it cares
about their health, and is committed to fighting a disease that affects
hundreds of thousands of Americans each year. If we can expose
P&G’s hypocrisy, we can pressure P&G into cleaning up its act for
good. Tell Proctor & Gamble to make cosmetics without carcinogens.
TAKE ACTION:
http://act.credoaction.com/sign/PG_carcinogens?sp_ref=90780940.4.9797.e.0.2&referring_akid=.2446459.AjeVUb&source=mailto_sp
TELL L’OREAL REMOVE CARCINOGENS!
It’s hypocrisy in action: L’Oréal, the multinational cosmetic
conglomerate, is promoting its contributions to the fight against
ovarian cancer at the same time that it sells products containing
toxic chemicals linked to cancer. Across L’Oréal’s many brands,
products like eye makeup, nail polish, and hair products (including
kids’ shampoo) contain cancer-causing chemicals.1 Reducing
our daily exposure to carcinogens is a major way to protect our
health and fight cancer. L’Oréal needs to get the message that
it’s time to remove carcinogens from its products.
SIGN THE PETITION AT:
http://act.credoaction.com/sign/loreal_cancer?t=5&akid=12484.7537451.XhR99w
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CONTACT US WITH YOUR THOUGHTS,
COMMENTS, QUESTIONS!
AND BY THE WAY – WE’RE SMALL, WE’RE ACTIVE,
WE DON’T BOTHER YOU WITH LOTS OF PITCHES FOR MOOLA
– BUT WE REALLY DO NEED SOME HELP!
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Liberty Goodwin, Director
Toxics Information Project
P.O. Box 40572,
Providence, RI 02940
Tel. 401-351-9193
Website: www.toxicsinfo.org
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