Summer’s here, which means warm days, summer camp, and my favorite, strawberries--a summertime snack staple for kids!
But six months ago, a dangerous ingredient got added to the production chain for this previously nutritious and delicious snack: Methyl iodide. Methyl iodide is a cancer-causing chemical that was recently approved for use in California agriculture. Already banned in New York and Washington, this chemical is linked to cancer, thyroid toxicity, and miscarriages. [1]
It’s time to take methyl iodide out of CA farms before any more of this dangerous chemical is used.
*Tell Governor Brown that we want safer strawberries for our families! http://action.momsrising.org/sign/CAStrawberries/
When methyl iodide was approved for use six months ago, the state's scientific community was unanimous is it's warning that this chemical was "too toxic to be let out of the lab." And it makes sense: Methyl iodide is actually used in labs to create experimental cancer cells. So what is it doing on our food? Especially a food favored by kids, who absorb chemicals at a much higher rate because of their developing organs and small size.[2]
Governor Brown agreed to ”take a fresh look” at methyl iodide in March, and more than 35 CA legislators are encouraging him to take a closer look at methyl iodide. But without more leadership from the Brown administration, more methyl iodide will be used in California this summer. Meanwhile, the high season for the use of pesticides like methyl iodide is right around the corner. [3]
*Don't forget to take a moment now to tell Governor Brown that CA families want safe strawberries this summer! http://action.momsrising.org/sign/CAStrawberries/
And please, share this link with your friends and family in CA. The more voices, the stronger our message!
http://action.momsrising.org/sign/CAStrawberries/
Together we are a powerful voice for CA families!
P.S. Huge thanks to Pesticide Action Network (PAN) for their work on this issue. If you're looking for a decoder ring for the pesticides on your food check it PAN's awesome tool here: http://www.whatsonmyfood.org/index.jsp
[3] Capital Press, March 31 2011 http://www.capitalpress.com/content/ws-methyl-iodide-040111
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