Richard Cornett
Director of Communications
Here’s an interesting article I came across recently that appeared in the online “Truth About Trade & Technology.” The writer’s name was not mentioned but I’d like to give him/her a medal. WPHA has been railing against EWG for years for its fear-mongering and seriously flawed dirty produce list. This writer hits the nail directly on its head.
Here’s a press release. “The Environmental Working Group opposes the use of pesticides.” That, in essence, is the point of the organization’s annual “Dirty Dozen” list of fruits and vegetables. Otherwise, why would the organization go through the trouble of trying to scare the pants off anyone who eats an apple, a stalk of celery — or any other produce, for that matter?
Every year, the group regurgitates USDA studies on pesticide residue and makes a big showy splash about how “bad” some produce is. That the group doesn’t like pesticides is one thing. Anyone is entitled to choose whatever he wants to eat. But to inflict that position on both farmers and consumers in a misleading manner is quite another thing.
The sad irony of such attacks is that once it grabs headlines with its scare tactics the group encourages people to eat fruits and vegetables. On its website EWG says: “Eat your fruits and vegetables! The health benefits of a diet rich in fruits and vegetables outweigh the risks of pesticide exposure. …eating conventionally grown produce is far better than not eating fruits and vegetables at all.”
In other words, “Never mind.”
Talk about a mixed message. In point of fact, the amounts of pesticides cited by the EWG are far below government limits. And without the use of pesticides, many fruits and vegetables may not reach consumers at prices they can afford or in adequate quanities. And then there’s the group’s other motive: raising money. Its website asks visitors to contribute to the “good work” the group does.
So what’s the hubbub about? It’s about getting headlines once a year with a publicity stunt — and filling the till.
You can read WPHA’s latest article about the EWG at this link: http://bit.ly/iqUuzC
Another related story at this link: http://bit.ly/kgViKn
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