Each year NZ imports around 1.5 million tonnes of food and produce from countries such as Korea, China, America, Canada, Chile, Australia, UK and Thailand.Much produce is fumigated with methyl bromide, a highly toxic and ozone depleting gas. Additionally, not all countries have the same regulations on the use of chemicals, pesticides and preservatives. Imported food is not checked on arrival for levels of chemicals or toxic sprays.
Some facts:
30,000 tonnes of meat is imported into NZ each year from China, Canada and Australia.
40% of pork on sale in New Zealand is imported from China, Australia and Canada.
Most lables do not state country of origin. or what chemicals were used to preserve or treat it.
Australian tomatoes are treated with a toxic insecticide called dimethoate. Dimethoate cannot be removed by washing and has been linked to disruption of reproductive function, chromosomal aberrations, immune system damage, disruption of the endocrine system and the nervous system.
Strawberries from California are treated with methyl bromide. Importing 1kg of strawberries is equivalent to keeping a 100 watt light bulb on for 8 days.
Food travels thousands of kilometers to be shipped to NZ.
Some foods are imported as far as 18,000km away.
The Green Party calculated that a basket of 21 mostly fresh foods from local supermarkets had collectively travelled an astonishing 214,611 kilometres to get to NZ.
With the price of petrol and depleting oil supplies why not buy local or grow your own!
What's in my food?
Aspartame
Tartrazine
Malachite green
Amaranth
Aspartame:
Is an artificial sweetner used in food and drink in over 100 countries, including New Zealand. It is found in energy drinks, 'sugar-free' products, chewing gums, chewable multi-vitamins etc.
Aspartame is made from phenylalanine and aspartic acid. Aspartame when broken down in the body produces; methanol, formaldehyde, and formic acid. All are highly toxic chemicals.Formaldehyde is a carcinogen stored in fatty tissue.
Methanol is a poison that can damage the eyes, liver, and brain, as well as other organs.
Formic acid occurs naturally and is found in ant and bee sting venom.
Common adverse aspartame effects include headaches, blurred vision, and seizures.
Tartrazine:
Is the yellow food colouring (E102) found in products like Cornflakes, ice cream, Twisties and Fanta. It can cause allergic reactions in some people such as migraines, skin rashes, weakness, blurred vision, and has been attributed to behavioural problems and hyperactivity in children.
Malachite Green:
Is a toxic carcinogenic dye sometimes found in fish. It is used to treat bacterial and fungal infections in aqua culture. Most countries have banned the use of this chemical.
Amaranth:
Is a red dye (E123) used in foods and cosmetics. It has been banned in the USA as a suspected carcinogen.
(Source: Green Party).
The following food colourings in combination have been know to affect some children:
• Tartrazine (102)
• Ponceau 4R (124)
• Sunset yellow (110)
• Carmoisine (122)
• Sodium benzoate (preservative E211)
• Quinoline yellow (104)
• Allura red (129)
• Sodium benzoate (preservative E211)
