Mother Earth News Research Shows Industrial Agriculture Produces Inferior Food

From Mother Earth News http://www.motherearthnews.com/

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - Tests show free-range eggs more nutritious!

Topeka, KS - July 26, 2005 - New research by Mother Earth News magazine provides more evidence that industrial agriculture is producing inferior food. Tests of eggs from four free-range flocks found that, compared to U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) nutrient data for eggs from confinement production systems, the eggs from chickens raised on free range were much more nutritious - up to twice as rich in vitamin E, up to six times richer in beta carotene (a form of vitamin A) and four times richer in essential omega-3 fatty acids. And, the free-range eggs averaged only half as much cholesterol as the USDA data indicates for confinement-system eggs. Mother Earth News magazine, a leader of the "Real Food Revival," initiated tests which were conducted by Skaggs Nutrition Laboratory at Utah State University and Food Products Laboratory in Portland, Ore.; data and graphs are available in the August/September 2005 issue of the magazine or at the Mother Earth News Web site, http://www.MotherEarthNews.com/eggs. "Other studies also have shown similar results for some of these nutrients, but the industry actively denies that free-range systems produce better eggs," says Mother Earth News editor-in-chief Cheryl Long.

The Mother Earth News article reports that the American Egg Board Web site <http://www.aeb.org/ claims that free-range conditions do not result in a better diet for the hens and more nutritious eggs. "But we have assembled evidence that this claim is untrue, and we've asked the Egg Board to correct the statement on their Web site."

"Inferior eggs are not the only problem that has developed because the push for cheap food has gone too far," Long says. "A recent study published in the Journal of the American College of Nutrition has revealed that the nutrient content of conventionally grown vegetables and fruits has declined over the past 50 years. The study compared USDA data from 1950 and 1999 for 13 nutrients in 43 crops. After rigorous statistical analysis, the researchers found that, on average, all three minerals evaluated have declined; two of five vitamins have declined; and protein content has dropped by 6 percent." Also, there is growing evidence that produce grown with synthetic fertilizers is less nutritious, mainly because it tends to contain more water than produce grown with natural, organic fertilizers.

For more information see the June/July 2004 article at http://www.motherearthnews.com/release/6974/

Meat and dairy products show nutrient differences similar to those reported above for eggs. Products from animals raised on natural pasture diets tend to be lower in saturated fat and higher in vitamins and other essential nutrients than products from animals raised in confinement on high-grain diets. For more information see the April/May 2002 article at http://www.motherearthnews.com/release/6934/

Both mad cow disease and E. Coli food poisoning problems are consequences of intensive confinement beef production systems. Mad cow disease is the result of mixing infected animal "by-products" into feed given to feedlot cattle. And the emergence of highly toxic forms of e. coli bacteria has been linked to the practice of feeding cattle unnatural high-grain diets.

This accumulating evidence that intensive industrial agriculture is delivering inferior food is pushing many consumers to seek local, organic, grass-fed and free-range products. The USDA reports farmer's markets have increased more than 80 percent from 1994. "There's a Real Food Revival underway in the U.S. and it's providing safer, more nutritious and better tasting food to consumers and new opportunities for small farmers," Long says. The August/September issue of Mother Earth News features the cover story, "Join the Real Food Revival." To read this article, go to http://www.motherearthnews.com/release/7020/

Since 1970, Mother Earth News magazine, the original guide to living wisely, has inspired millions of consumers with ideas and information on real food and the lifestyle of green living. Mother Earth News is owned by Ogden Publications, who publishes eight other magazine titles in Topeka, Kansas. Contact information for questions and interviews:

Cheryl Long, Editor in Chief 785-274-4319
<mailto:clong@MotherEarthNews.com clong@MotherEarthNews.com
Umut Newbury, Associate Editor 785-274-4320
<mailto:unewbury@MotherEarthNews.com unewbury@MotherEarthNews.com
Mother Earth News 1503 SW 42nd Topeka, KS 66609