Industrial crops deficient

Regarding your Sept. 4 article, “Organic food not necessarily better for you,” I reference an article published in the December 2011/January 2012 issue of Mother Earth News. Biochemist Donald Davis of the University of Texas, after an extensive analysis of U.S. Department of Agriculture nutrient data, shows that protein, calcium, phosphorus, iron, riboflavin and vitamin C levels have decreased considerably over the past 50 years as a result of our industrial food system. This trend is supported by research in the United Kingdom.

Prominent biochemist Bruce Ames, in his paper “Increasing longevity by tuning up metabolism,” argues that many Americans are not getting enough essential vitamins and minerals, and that the health consequences of these dietary deficiencies should be taken far more seriously.

All industrial crops are sprayed with massive amounts of pesticides/herbicides or other genetically modified organisms. Approval is being sought for the use of 2-4-D on food crops. The health implications of these chemicals are enormous.

Please give both sides of the story so that consumers can be informed and make their own decisions regarding the food they feed themselves and their children.

Donna Nordstrom

Hayden