USDA

Want a new way to teach your kids and students about farmed fish? Food & Water Watch  has just come out with a new animation, “Fishy Business,” available online
as a fun and easy-to-use resource for parents and educators to teach their children about the potential dangers of fish farming.

 The animation describes in detail the process of fish farming. Specifically, it shows the effects of pollution, overfishing, and the cramped and unhealthy conditions in fish farms, as well as how fish feed is altered with antibiotics and growth hormones. Parasites and disease that are present as a result of the farming can also be spread to wild fish. The animation describes a variety of other problems also caused by this practice, in a way that is comprehensive, without being overwhelming – making it an ideal educational tool.

Recently the National Organic Standards Board – a panel of the U.S. Department of Agriculture – passed a rule allowing farmed fish to be labeled as “organic” – despite the fish farming process being incompatible with organic standards. This goes to show that it is all the more pressing for parents and children alike to understand that some fish being sold in grocery stores, which may bear the seemingly safe label of “organic,” may actually be unsafe and unsustainable. 

Check out our website to learn more about the dangers of fish farming, or to sign a petition asking Congress to protect our health, oceans, and coastal economies.  You can also check out our seafood buying guide that recommends safe and healthy seafood choices.

– Sofía Baliño

Some people misplace keys, others struggle with sunglasses, but the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) loses track of cattle.  This oversight would surely be troublesome in any circumstance, but it is especially so when the cattle may have mad cow disease (bovine spongiform encephalopathy) or other health problems. 

All imported cattle are required by law to be tracked with identification and health records.  However, a recent audit completed by the Office of Inspector General reported numerous instances of cattle entering the United States from Canada – where 13 cases of mad cow disease have been detected – without sufficient documentation.  In addition to hundreds of cattle slipping across the border without record, at least 436 animals allegedly sent for slaughter were later unaccounted for.  From a consumer perspective, it is worrisome to think that something could be wrong with the meat that ends up in my burger.
 
Mad cow disease first appeared in Canada in 2003, after which many countries – including the United States – stopped importing Canadian cattle.  However, in the past few years, judging that the disease was no longer a formidable threat, USDA has cut back on the number of cattle tested in the U.S. and reopened U.S. borders to imports from Canada.  The decision to re-open the border has upset a lot of people, especially now that the audit shows that USDA cannot effectively control the imports. Reacting to the problem, R-CALF USA, a cattle industry organization, and a coalition of consumer groups that included Food & Water Watch, sued USDA.  The judge ruled that the decision to allow imports of older cattle – which are more likely to be afflicted by mad cow disease than younger animals – should be reevaluated.  However, as of yet, no substantial reforms have taken place.

Given that our government is struggling to protect our food supply, must we all completely stop eating beef if we hope to stay healthy?  While that is one option, it is not the only one.  Starting in October, food manufacturers will be required to label products with its country of origin.  As a result, consumers will be able to select beef that is known to be from source they trust.  Although companies are not yet obligated to, some already include information about where the product came from.  So look for beef from local sources – even better if it’s grass fed!

- Darcy White

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Angelina Jolie has been receiving a lot of press, be it regarding her relationship with Brad Pitt, her newest children, or, most recently, her post-pregnancy diet. At first glance Angelina seems to have picked the perfect diet to optimize health, taste, and sustainability; it sounds delicious and includes key nutritional buzz words such as “Omega-3”, “organic”, and “fresh”.  But hold off on running to the store to copy her menu.  “Organic” seafood does not exist in the United States, and although standards have been developed in Europe, they are not what U.S. consumers expect from organic foods.

For a food to qualify as organic in the United States, it must be certified as meeting specific standards set by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA).  With produce, meat, and dairy, the term signifies that the product is not genetically modified, irradiated, and has not been produced with pesticides. The spirit of organic includes production methods that are also environmentally responsible. Seafood, however, is difficult to regulate, as it is impossible to monitor and control the substances that wild fish are exposed to.  In the face of this complexity, USDA has not yet developed standards for certifying any seafood as organic.  You may find fish products boasting organic labels, but these labels are not official and have relatively little meaning.  Official USDA labels may appear soon, as the National Organic Standards Board is discussing criteria for organic seafood, but they are struggling to develop appropriate standards. 

There are organic standards in the European Union.  Is this just a case of the EU being ahead of the game?  Unfortunately, in this case, not at all.  The European organic standards are fairly vague and incomplete, failing to protect either consumer health or the environment.  They don’t prohibit open water aquaculture, neglect to regulate pollution and waste, permit the use of some chemicals and drugs, and allow wild-caught fish to be used in fish feed.  These practices are not clean, green or safe.

If we can’t trust the labels, how are we to decide what seafood to buy?  Ask important questions of your restaurants and markets:

• Where is it from? (Domestic or imported – try to choose domestic).

• Is it caught or farmed locally? (Try to choose local foods over those shipped from far away).

• Is it farmed or wild? (Try to choose wild, unless the farming system is known to be clean, green and safe)

• How is it caught? (Ask if the method has high bycatch or habitat damage).

• How is it farmed? (When available, buy seafood that has been farmed in the U.S. in indoor, recirculating facilities. Tilapia, shrimp, hybrid striped bass and arctic char are examples of fish that are or are soon to be farmed this way).

• Is it associated with any contaminants? (Mercury, PCBs, antibiotics, etc).
  

Another tip is to diversify consumption – eating a variety of fish helps to prevent overfishing of specific species.
                       
So, my advice to Angelina and anyone else concerned about making responsible food choices is as follows: don’t be fooled by marketing hype.  Ask questions and educate yourself about the products before you buy.  By choosing seafood that is clean, green, and safe, you will not only be protecting yourself and your family, you will help ensure the sustainability of our ocean resources for generations to come.

- Darcy White

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