What We Do
Green Your SPIRIT and The Hippocrates Health Institute launched the POP Campaign to keep our voices and choices alive, keep organic standards pure, keep ourselves and others informed and educated and take action to preserve organic power and purity...
UPDATE!!!
The POP Campaign is asking everyone to "push back" on The Dietary Supplement Act of 2010 now in the Senate HELP Committee. Also, we are tracking the Food Safety Bill S 510 in search of action on two amendments. Please ACT NOW.
POP Campaign Recess Update
As time ticks on in the battle for our food and supplement freedom, the POP Campaign continues to take an active and highly visible role – invested in the outcome. Currently, we stand poised for a response to one of the biggest issues so far this year – S-510: FDA Food Safety Modernization Act as well as any action towards restricting our choices or use of supplements.
Currently, S 510 is still waiting on the Senate calendar to be scheduled for a vote. The Food Safety bill has no specific date for coming to the Senate floor for a vote, but as far as we know, a scheduled assignment can have a 48-hour turn around! We stay alert. The primary causes for delays, besides our own educational efforts as well as those of so many of you, have been ‘extender bills’ and major supplemental pieces of legislation that have priority such as the military and disaster relief—also the Supreme Court nominee hearings. These all have taken so much time. Of course, there also is the politics of the mid-term elections.
However, this does not mean that S 510 has become completely stagnant. Senator Harkin has yet to formally release his ‘manager’s amendment’ which still allows some maneuvering of language. We keep tabs on the pulse on the ground in Washington through one of our POP representatives, Beth Clay. Beth is working with Senators and Senate staff, especially Senators Harkin and Hatch, having scheduled a series of meetings to bring up our messages in person, provide sound educational input, and help frame the conversations and debate for better organics language. She also is keeping an eagle eye on any movement regarding supplements.
Your input as concerned citizens—especially the letters you have been writing and comments —have made a huge difference in steering the debate and educating representative on the issues. The POP Campaign is able to approach the key organics players with concerns from real folks who know about real situations. “Your letters are very helpful,” says Beth Clay, and “we all hope that you can keep up the hard work alongside us on this road to pure organics.”
The next step now is to help the POP Campaign turn S-510 into a national issue, sharing yours desires and knowledge about organic food and educating on your choices and freedoms. Right now is the perfect time to make this happen. For example, during these mid-term elections, we may have the opportunity to speak with our representatives in person to steer questions and dialogue towards organic foods, supplements, and S-510. We ask you to help us frame the national debate around organic foods by continuing to write letters, make phone calls, and bring up great points and questions. So often, it is about making our government aware of an issue and sharing specific facts, ideas, concepts, studies, etc. so that those in policy making roles can be informed to clearly discern and formulate a good idea vs. a bad one. Together, we could have all types of representatives, governors, senators, and state legislators all working towards our cause as well. Help us make our issue a global issue – it is essential that everyone have the freedom to choose healthy food.
Stay tuned to the POP Campaign to keep up to date on the most recent actions. Also, check out our past blogs or our ‘Issues’ section for more general information on bills and issues. Note your push backs and pushes forwards – it all makes a huge difference.
Thank you for your donations, as they really help us keep the action going. Please keep ‘em coming! Donation button is on the right sidebar…
ALERT – WE NEED YOUR HELP TODAY RE: DIETARY SUPPLEMENTS!
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Right now on the Senate floor is Senator Dodd’s Senate Bill 3217, Restoring American Financial Stability Act of 2010. We have to make sure to keep out a provision to expand the Federal Trade Commission’s authority. On the House side, Congressman Waxman (D-CA) slipped Section 4901 into the 1700+ page House bill, HR 4173, the Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act. It is thought that Senator Jay Rockefeller (D-WV) who is Chairman of the Commerce, Science and Technology Committee is likely to offer an Amendment on the floor of the Senate during the current debate on S 3217 to include section 4901 - We need every Senator to vote no on the inclusion of the above amendment proposed for S. 3217..
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Huge Victories
“We can be effective as long as we are not lullabied into a dream state that everything is fine –it’s not. We need your support and your voice more than ever before!” ~Brian Clement.- Celebrities flock to the Hippocrates Health Institute boosting their health, beauty and longevity.
- Guests on the Oprah Show passionately share healthy eating tips and discuss America’s obesity epidemic.
- Food Inc. receives an Academy Award nomination! Catherine Austin Fitz, national financial advisor, says that ten years ago she could not have imagined speaking on national radio about personal gardening and organic food, even broaching the conversation that “food is medicine”.
- Jamie Oliver invades the most “unhealthy U.S. city” in his reality show to change eating habits in a Midwestern town.
- Daily, from New Jersey to Kansas City to Boise to Bakersfield, eco-moms buy one or two new GMO-free items for their children.
- Farmland Inc. reports that the ROI for farms that convert to organic is minimally 8% above traditional crops.
- Organic food and beverages in the United States have grown into big business with sales from $1,000,000,000 in 1990 to an estimated $22,900,000,000 in 2008.
- Mainstream’s passion for organics is skyrocketing. This is our biggest asset that can be leveraged… you are developing quality standards daily, one food choice at a time.
“Victory lies in leveraging who we are as a health-conscious Community; strengthening our voices and focusing our passions, finances and expertise at all levels is the greatest power block in the history of this country. We are our greatest assets.” ~Rudi Leonardi
“ In all my years in Washington, I have learned that you, the people, can influence the laws when you are willing to speak out with clarity.” ~Beth Clay
“ I am concerned that the good intentions of the Senate will be used to undermine future access to true organic foods…. (with) the use of the term ‘science-based’ in setting a minimum standard…” ~ Clinton Miller
We can’t just walk into a grocery store anymore and simply buy food—we find ourselves being forced to legislate our basic rights all the way down the aisle as we choose what to put into our mouths. There is no shortage of the garden variety of disagreements, misunderstandings, self-interest, anxieties, confusion, complexity and deep seeded opinions. When asked, “what is organic?”, we quickly think simple, pure, healthful, whole, and close to nature food—grown with no synthetic fertilizers, drugs, hormones, additives, radiation or pasteurization. This makes sense—a standard supported by our experiences and our dream of what we want for our children. Even Thomas Jefferson stated,“the laws and institutions must go hand in hand withthe progress of our minds.” Why can’t modern laws and institutions represent our trend toward a more sustainable existence?
What is the Organic Chess Board?
A complex of U.S. laws and policy—Organic food laws are defined under Title 21 of the United States Code (USC). Federal agencies develop standard operating procedures (SOPs) regarding the implementation and management of laws, detailed in the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR). The Organic Foods Production Act (OFPA), enacted under Title 21 of the 1990 Farm Bill, establishes uniform national standards for the production and handling of foods labeled as “organic.” It authorized a new USDA National Organic Program (NOP) to set national standards for the production, handling, and processingof organically grown agricultural products, including overseeing the mandatory certification of organic production. The Act established the National Organic Standards Board (NOSB), which advises the Secretary of Agriculture in setting the standards upon which the NOP is based. Producers who meet standards set by the NOP may label their products as “USDA Certified Organic.” Are you dizzy yet?
“ We are not dogs at the end of a chain with only a bark—we can have bite. If we stand up and leverage what we have, collectively, we can make a huge difference.” ~ Rudi Leonardi
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Great News! Senator McCain Withdraws Support from His Own Dietary Supplement Safety Bill – Agrees to Amend It.
It is being confirmed that Senator McCain is withdrawing support from the Dietary Supplement Safety Bill that he introduced in February. Due to a push-push-back from so many – including the POP Campaign – and especially due to the outstanding education and ongoing discussions with Senators by the POP Campaign lobbyist, Beth Clay, Senator McCain now will be collaborating with Senator Orrin Hatch, R-Utah, on revised legislation.
There apparently will still be an effort to seek transparency and safety but without the intense new regulatory layers proposed in S 3002. In a March 4 letter, Senator Hatch thanks Senator McCain for shifting his position.
We will keep you posted on the outcome of the amendments as the crafting continues.
Thank you to everyone who called or sent in letters or participated in getting the word out. Thank you for the donations because these are keeping us alive to stay on the pulse and make a difference with you – keep the support coming as we need to continue showing up in a huge and effective way.
This Bill Really Stinks, Here’s Why:
“Being Italian, (as you can tell from my surname Leonardi) I do not want McCain’s Bill or the FDA to take away my garlic …or other healthy supplements for that matter – this bill really stinks. Take Action Now!” ~ Rudi Leonardi
It is important to highlight a few key dangerous points and considerations that support the POP perspective pertaining to Senator McClain’s S 3002 Bill, “The Dietary Supplement Act of 2010”. It is ESSENTIAL to act NOW and to show the strength of our pushback so other Senators and members of Congress do not support or co-sponsor this bill.
DSHEA, historically, is based on an intent and established framework that supports the concept that dietary supplements are generally safe….We know that there are dangerous ingredients that could be placed in supplements by unscrupulous and money-grubbing companies and individuals. There already are guidelines in place to protect us. We know that there are many ingredients that have to be tracked – a huge job, but it can be done – we are fortunate to have great resources to help us find the truth. For example, Dr. Brian Clement’s latest book “Supplements Exposed” is an excellent resource. (See popcampaign.org for the full article.)
DSHEA legislation already allows the FDA to evaluate each ingredient in a supplement to determine if it presents an unreasonable risk of injury or illness. It already has an approval process in place and is alerted to major problems. Key here is that, if a “signal” is sent and detected that a product needs to be reviewed, then the FDA can decide the next step, coordinate with existing other agencies, conduct its own research, gather its “sensible facts”, and act…. DSHEA allows the FDA the discretionary power to do what is necessary to protect us. (See reporting requirements in articles on popcampaign.org)
The “signal”: “Serious” vs “Non-Serious” Adverse – Could mean Anything?
On page 7, lines 16 & 17, the McCain bill states: “…striking ‘‘SERIOUS ADVERSE’’ and inserting ‘‘ADVERSE’’. The signal changes dramatically and dangerously. DSHEA currently states “SERIOUS” adverse effects trigger enforcement.
“Serious” is defined as:
… any experience resulting in any of the following outcomes: death, a life-threatening adverse experience, inpatient hospitalization or prolongation of existing hospitalization, a persistent or significant disability/incapacity, or a congenital anomaly/birth defect. Important medical events that may not result in death, be life-threatening, or require hospitalization may be considered serious when, based upon appropriate medical judgment, they may jeopardize the individual and may require medical or surgical intervention to prevent one of the outcomes previously listed (in accordance with 21 C.F.R. § 600.80 [2002] and 21 C.F.R. § 314.80 [2002]).
Without “serious” in the text, the FDA signal to act is instructed as “adverse,” which can be ANYTHING that happens ANYWHWERE in the world. It could be interpreted that supplements that interfere with prescription drugs are powerful enough to interfere with the stability of the human condition, could be equally dangerous and cause an “adverse” problem. This means that if someone in China gets sick (yes even 1 person of the 2 billion plus) because he/she suffered a stomachache because of an over abundant supplement of soy in the food, this would be an “adverse” signal. If a European connoisseur of wine and cheese got ill because of a supplement of valerian to help sleep off a happy hangover, this would be considered an “adverse” signal. If someone in Africa reportedly got dizzy after taking yohimbe, this would be an “adverse signal”. An “adverse: signal could be the effects of ginseng, garlic…WHAT? Being Italian, (as you can tell from my surname Leonardi) I do not want McCain’s Bill or the FDA to take away my garlic …or other healthy supplements for that matter – this bill really stinks!
Yes, this is a grey area and could happen with the proposed amendments, the S 3002 bill allows the FDA to yank a product for the simplest reason or smallest event while reinforcing it’s modulated criteria and selective rationale with such articles as listed below be relied upon fully as evidence for banning supplements, with or without consideration of all elements:
Other dietary supplements shown to potentiate or interfere with prescription drugs include garlic, glucosamine, ginseng (Panax), saw palmetto, soy, valerian, and yohimbe.14 (((De Smet PA. Herbal remedies. New England Journal of Medicine. 2002;347(25):2046-2056.))
If amended, the FDA could also use any incident, report, finding, research, etc. from another country to yang a product from a shelf and set policy in the United States. This would be consistent with the some of the WTO Codex efforts to control supplements in other countries. We do not want this here in the US. We must protect ourselves.
There is snapshot in Europe of what we Americans might look forward to if this bill passes – “…EFSA, the European Food Safety Authority, has sharply reduced the list of available supplements and is in process of reducing potencies to ridiculous levels, such as less beta carotene than can be found in half of a large carrot.” (European Legal Director Gretchen DuBeau working with ANHI).
Yes, there are money issues involved, reductions in government spending, and the perception (and facts) that the FDA is friendlier towards drug companies and less favorable to supplement businesses. Also, in his press release, Senator McCain references for his bill changes a GAO (Government Accounting Office) recommendations that came out in January 2007, from the previous Bush administration – these recommendations are believed by many to be biased and slanted to the industry drug giants. Many of these points will be discussed further as we continue our efforts to educate on this bill.
We still need to take action immediately.
Lastly – Athletes and Drugs
In his press release and citing his supporters of the NFL and Major League Baseball, Senator McCain highlights suspended Athletes – their situations being adverse signals”. Sports figures are used to signals from the quarterback, the center, and the backs, to the catchers, pitchers, managers and umpires. Should we be sensitive that these athletes got their signals mixed up and that implementing this Bill will help these men on the field become more clear and allow them to make better health choices? There clearly is more to this. Does it not make sense that the athletes who were suspended purchased “illegal drugs”? Calling the Athletes confused and what they took as mislabeled supplements is really a backing away from the real issues of enforcement, illegal sales and use of steroids. Is the Sports industry trying to shift blame from the “US Anti-Doping Agency” (USADA) to the supplement industry, asking the FDA to get involved? Who is using whom to get what?
Supplement Issues With McCain’s New Bill
Today, February 3, Senator John McCain introduced his new bill called the Dietary Supplement Safety Act of 2010. The Senator intends to set a new agenda with a “consumer safety” spin that will empower and enable the FDA to conduct a mandatory recall at will on any supplement that it considers unsafe because of a lack of information, research or clear labeling.
We all want safety -there is no argument here. However, on the surface, as with most food safety bills, giving additional authority to the FDA creates a risk unless proper instructions and accountability are carefully framed.
This bill appears to set a challenge whereby many supplements that support our health could suddenly be removed from shelves . We intend to steer the dialogue in a different direction consistent with our POP Campaign philosophy and challenge any section that threatens any of the rights and gains we have made under DSHEA. As we digest the implications of this bill, we will share with you our next steps and discuss the necessary push back efforts that make sense. Thank you.
Victories and More Urgent Action!
This is a crucial time. What we do now will dictate our future. As we return from the Thanksgiving holiday, we remain grateful for what we really DO have – our gift of life, freedom of choice and the pure organic foods we eat and share. Congratulations on some victories. We have a ways to go.
As you know, the POP Campaign has cultivated a full-blown effort to strengthen our collective voice to keep this freedom and to ensure that our organic food remains pure. CODEX becomes fully employed on December 31, 2009 in 182 countries, including the US – through the WTO. We intend to be heard and make a difference!
Thanks to all of you who took a few minutes to call and fax Senators in November… we got some successes, and we take these victories! CONGRATULATIONS on the push.
We appreciate the leadership of Chairman Harkin and the Senate HELP Committee for their commitment to Food Safety and work on S 510. We especially thank Senators Merkley, Franken, Bennet, Fergunson,Brown, and Sanders for their work in protecting organics. This is good news! Food safety is an important issue; however, the Senate Members have not brought these issues to the place of the most solid protection levels to Preserve Organic Power in our standards.
New sections were added to S 510, the Food Safety Bill, which mimicked the language of the proposals we submitted and conversations we had with Senate offices. The bill passed unanimously out of committee and is “ordered to be reported” to the full Senate – we don’t know exactly when because of the Health Insurance debate……..
What Our Voices Accomplished
- The Senate Health Committee added language that requires that FDA guidelines not include any requirements that conflict with the Organic Foods Production Act of 1990 – a big save.
- The FDA also must coordinate with the Department of Agriculture.
- New wording was added ensuring the protection of conservation and environmental practices.
- The FDA is required to report back to Congress on the impact of its requirements on “certified organic farms and facilities,” including being instructed to “provide flexibility” in its guidelines for those “engaged in the production and harvesting of raw agricultural commodities, including small businesses…that sell directly to consumers….” Some excellent accountability.
- New language states that “nothing in the amendments…shall apply to any dietary supplement that is in compliance with…the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act…..”
The Loophole
There still appears to be an alarming loophole in this bill in spite of the newly inserted “protective” language that connects it to the Organic Food Act. Specifically, irradiation and pasteurization can still be used on organic produce, fruits, nuts, and herbs as these processes can be considered “organic” methods because the processes use forms of light energy (Co, C’s or electron beams or eV) and heat and/or water. Tricky!
In the Organic Food Act Section 2113 [7 U.S.C. 6512], it is stated that if a practice is not prohibited, then it is permitted. The FDA still provides a framework for irradiation without disclosure, therefore, we want clear language inserted that protects us.
We are proposing two more powerful amendments for the floor of the Senate and if needed, the Conference Committee. These are called “The POP Amendment” and “The CODEX Amendment”. Let’s step up NOW.
The POP Amendment
“In the case of farming, production, processing and sale of organic (produce, fruit, nuts, herbs), for consumption exclusively within the U.S. local marketplace, no form of irradiation or pasteurization shall be required or used.”
Secondly, clear language exists in S 510 to “harmonize with CODEX” and be consistent with the World Trade Organization policies. Nothing grown, produced, and consumed within the “good old US of A” boundaries should be subject to anything trade, CODEX or WTO related. These are ONLY trade related regulatory bodies and rules. It is essential that these external trade policies be contained and stay this way. US laws stand alone, without being trumped by the international CODEX food rules or the WTO agendas pertaining to organics.
Further, consistent with the pureness of organic standards and rights, we are requesting that First Nations be exempt from CODEX so as to support the cultural integrity of indigeneous food.
The CODEX Amendment
“Organic produce, fruits, herbs, and nuts, grown and consumed within the United States, including all First Nations, shall be exempt from CODEX harmonization.“
Take Action NOW – Here’s How
S-510 is getting close for a floor vote, so we need you to contact Senators (yours and others) ASAP. We are in discussions with certain members of Congress to sponsor these amendments.
1) Call 1-866-544-7537 – This will take you to the Capital swithchboard toll-free. Ask for your Senators’ office or tell them what state you are from and they will connect you to your Senator. *There is also a list of Senate phone and fax numbers here.
2) What to Say:
“Hello, I am______________, a constituent (if you are) of Senator________ and I am calling to ask him/her to support the following proposed amendments to S 510 offered by the POP Campaign: “The POP Amendment” saying NO to irradiation and pasteurization of organics and “The CODEX Amendment” on excluding organic food and First Nations from harmonization with CODEX. Thank you.
3) Fax a letter: You may copy and paste the following letter and fill in the blanks with your own information.
To: Senator ___________
From: Your Name_________
Re: S 510 – FOOD SAFETY BILL
Dear Senator _______
I am a constituent of Senator________ and am faxing to ask you to support the following proposed amendments to S 510 offered by the POP Campaign: “The POP Amendment” saying no to irradiation and pasteurization of organics and “The CODEX Amendment” on excluding organic food and First Nations from harmonization with CODEX. Thank you.
Your Signature___________________
4) Forward this email to your networks – Encourage them to ACT TODAY!
5) Tell us how it went: info@popcampaign.org
Thank you – Keep up the momentum – We have a strong voice together.
Rudi Leonardi and Mikaele Holzer, Green Your SPIRIT
Brian Clement, Hippocrates Health Institute
Preserve Organic Power!
Photo above lovingly taken at San Francisco Green Festivals by Michael Buchanan.
POP at Green Festivals SF
POP created lots of buzz at the Green festivals 2009! Check out some of the photos of POP fans, supporters and people joining in the movement!
The Gang - POP Fans!
San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom stopped by!
Rudi and Mikaële with Paul Stamets (Fungi Perfecti)
This photo speaks for itself!
Informing, Educating, Joining the Movement!
Co-Founders Mikaële Holzer and Rudi Leonardi
Pop Life!
As we accelerate the POP Campaign to Preserve Organic Power in our choices of growing, buying, selling and eating organic produce, fruits, nut,herb and supplements, I am acutely aware of the clashing of common and uncommon sense and the complexity and simplicity of the issues around food safety - especially when it comes to CODEX rules
It all comes down to LIFE – the vitality and vibrance of life-force in our foods and the life-force in our bodies. If you are pro-LIFE (Republican or Democrat), then you should support the vote to Preserve Organic Power in every food bill or issue – a no brainer – you are protecting life. If you are a Democrat or Republican and pro-Choice – then you should protect, support and vote to Protect Organic Power and our freedom to make our own health choices – a no brainer! Food and health are bi-partisan issues!
There are simply two worlds, the world we POP in where there are those who support pro-life and pro-choice in food and food supplements; or the world of those those who do not care about life, who want to eventually kill it – and us. YES, this is a late, late, later term abortion of our lives - very late for some people on this planet – they want to abort our life force we put into our mouths!
The complexity of policy making and food safety, fueled by scare tactics, is at play here. Of course food safety is important, but is not an excuse to kill live food. In the US world of technology with the art of thinking, anyone can solve the problem of tracking a pathogen (a little bacteria guy) to its nest – and get rid of it. We know it comes from a can in a factory where a worker who ate something for lunch dropped some bacteria into a can before it was sealed; or, it comes from – yes cattle and farm feces - the “five-miles-before-you-get-there stinky manure” that has seeped into ground water and is used on crops twenty miles down stream; or some huge factory source along the production line.
The answer: Send in 20 inspectors directly to that site. Cleanup the source of the problem – not all of the food. A no brainer that makes sense. Or, hire a hound dog to sniff out the source (we can smell manure and feed lots miles away), go to the cow source, become a certified FDA skatologist, and clean up the source and seepage into the water. How good is that? Also, provide training to all of us on how to plant and grow – I think we could do this with some sophistication these days – our grandparents did – yikes – our caveman ancestors did and we survived to today to watch Oprah. WOW – overwhelming, isn’t it – food safety.
Seriously, It looks like they are trying to wear us down and slowly abort our lives so that we either are forced to pop more pills (the other POP), buy more prescriptive drugs, buy fast food because we get too busy fighting the good fight, or just get tired of the whole thing – not having the energy to live, we roll over and fly off into the clouds. This would be cheaper on the system – we put in one big transfusion of cash for medical treatment before we leave to balance out whatever we took out in our lifetime and then cut ourselves off of any long-term social security or pension dependency – leaving a whole bunch of assets for our heirs and children to go on a McDonalds hamburger spree or buy a whole cow for a back yard bar-b-q to celebrate that we died peacefully. And, it starts all over again.
Phew – now that is a cleaver abortion-of-life game. Say NO! Support POP – Preserve Organic Power – Preserve Life and Our Choices.
Pop into Action!
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