Corn was the last thing on my mind this morning until I read again that the neonicotinoid (pesticide) used on corn crops is implicated in the death of the bees or what is being called colony collapse disorder. I had read it before and it ticked me off but today is even worse because it means that someone may knowingly be hurting and killing off the bees who are the very thing we need to reproduce natural food. Some countries have banned this neonicotinoid because the evidence is clear and yet this pesticide is still allowed to be used in North America. Why?
Corn is pollinated mostly by the wind. It doesn’t need bees for pollination but most fruits, vegetables, berries and nuts do! According to the USDA, “About one mouthful in three in the diet directly or indirectly benefits from honey bee pollination.” (http://usnews.msnbc.msn.com/_news/2012/03/29/10921493-neonicotinoid-pesticides-tied-to-crashing-bee-populations-2-studies-find?lite)
Isn’t it ironic that GMO corn crops that don’t need bees for pollination are designed to be used with chemicals that are killing off the very natural thing that can pollinate and give us natural food? What does that say about GMOs? That we don’t need nature anymore? Are we going to jump on a spaceship pretty soon and live like they did in the movie WALL-E? No thanks. Our kids deserve more than that.
Corn has been genetically modified to increase yields…BUT, there was no demand for this extra corn. In fact, North America now grows way more corn that it needs. Ironically, the US subsidizes its farmers to grow even more. Again, why?
So corn has become a very cheap ingredient in processed food. It is in so much of the food we eat including pop, candy, prepackaged and convenience foods, chips, condiments, processed meats, cereal and breads. Corn is being fed to chicken and cattle and even to our pets. That makes it challenging to try to eliminate all corn products but even if we made an attempt we would be making a difference. We can send a message to the food industry … “Stop messing with nature!”
Just think where the bees and our own health would be if we started to pay more attention to what food has corn in it? It would take only a couple seconds to read the label. Maybe even try cooking from scratch more often and ditching the pre-packaged meals a couple of times a week?
This week can you please take the time to look through your pantry and check out how much of the food we buy has corn in it. We do have the power to say no, and to redirect our shopping habits.
Keep thinking, asking questions and using your buying power.
We can do this,
Penny
Keep up the great work Penny. We are up against a big industry so hopefully people that can help implement change are paying attention.