Alliance for Food and Farming
The Real Danger of the Dirty Dozen List:
Perspectives for Journalists
“The Organizer”
Marilyn Dolan
Executive Director
Alliance for Food and Farming
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Alliance for Food and Farming
The REAL Danger of the Dirty Dozen List
Welcome from Alliance Chairman
■Alliance started in 1989.
■50 plus members throughout U.S.
■Farmers with small and large farms
■Organic and conventional farmers.
■Assists farmers talk about food safety and
care for the land.
Matt McInerney
Executive Vice President
Thank you to our Sponsor
Why this issue is important
■Media coverage of Dirty Dozen is
pervasive.
■Consumers are concerned about the issue of pesticide
residues on food.
■The issue is damaging the reputation of our products.
■Concern is beginning to impact consumption of fresh
fruits and vegetables.
Expert Panel
■ In July 2009, Alliance commissioned an independent
review of the science behind the Dirty Dozen list.
■Farmers want to be sure their products are safe.
■Team of five scientists in risk assessment, toxicology
and nutrition.
■Led by Dr. Rick Reiss, Exponent, Inc.
Project Leader
■Experienced environmental health
scientist.
■Expertise in risk assessment and
exposure assessment.
■Provides consulting services
related to scientific issues.
Dr. Rick Reiss
Principal Scientist, Chemical Regulation and Food Safety
President, Society for Risk Analysis
Purpose of the Report
b
To evaluate statements
■Evaluate the basis of rankings
in the Dirty Dozen list.
■Review methodology used to
develop the Dirty Dozen list.
■Examine scientific evidence
linking pesticides and health
effects.
The Panel Members
Dr. Penny Fenner-Crisp, EPA, retired
Dr. Carl L. Keen, University of California, Davis
Dr. Jason Richardson, Robert Wood Johnson,
Medical School
Dr. Rudy Richardson, University of Michigan
Dr. Karl Rozman, University of Kansas
Report Findings
The list is an impediment to good health because it
discourages consumption of fresh produce.
The list is misleading to consumers.
There is no scientific evidence that the levels of
pesticides on fruits and vegetables pose any risk.
Scientific Basis of the “Dirty Dozen”
Risk = Exposure * Toxicity
“Dirty dozen” list only considers Exposure, but makes
no attempt to address toxicity
There are reliable and well-established and accepted
methods for assessing the risk of small doses of
chemicals, but EWG made no attempt to apply them.
Science on Pesticide Residue Health Effects
■There is little published epidemiologic literature on
pesticide residue health effects.
• One recent study on ADHD provides limited information,
but is inconclusive
■Vast majority of pesticide health studies address nondietary exposures, particularly from occupational
exposure.
• EWG cites many of these studies, but they are of limited
usefulness
• EWG also cites studies of non-pesticides (e.g., mercury,
PCBs, phthalates and dioxins)
EPA’s Regulatory Process
■ Key points about EPA’s process for regulating pesticide
residues:
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More testing for pesticides than any other chemicals, including tests on
developing fetuses
Includes safety factors and an additional factor to protect infants,
children, and fetuses
Uses highest percentile of exposure for any EPA assessment (99.9th for
acute exposures)
Considers aggregate risk from other sources
Considers cumulative risk of other pesticides
Cannot conduct cost-benefit analysis
■ Most substantial risk assessment requirements of any program in
U.S. government:
•
Significantly more sophisticated than European program
Panel Member
■Mars Chair in Development
Nutrition.
■Expertise role of nutrition in disease
and birth defects.
■Interest in improving health through
better nutrition.
Dr. Carl Keen
Professor of Nutrition and Internal Medicine
University of California, Davis
Health Benefits of Consuming Fruits and
Vegetables
■ No evidence that pesticide residues at the
levels found on produce pose risk to health.
■In contrast, the data on health benefits of
consuming fruits and vegetables is
substantial and convincing.
■ Probable reductions in risk from diet rich in fruits
and vegetables:
High blood pressure
Some Cancers
Stroke
Heart disease
Digestive problems
■ It is notable that people with high fruit and
vegetable consumption have higher pesticide
residue exposures.
Remaining Uncertainties About Fruit and
Vegetable Health Benefits
■ The precise fruit and vegetables that
provide the most benefits are not
known.
• Generally, the biological mechanisms
of the benefits are still unknown
■ Limiting one’s diet to certain fruits and
vegetables, and excluding others, is risky.
• May be making a trade-off between the known
benefits of fruits and vegetables and the yet to-bedetermined effects of pesticide residues.
Differences in Nutritional Quality
■ Two recent analyses address this issue:
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Winters and Davis (2006) review for Institute of Food Technologists.
Dangour et al. (2009) review from London School of Hygiene &
Tropical Medicine.
■ Some differences are expected between conventional
and organically-grown foods.
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Conventional crops have more nitrogen available, leading to more
growth.
Organic crops are more stressed and use more of its own chemical
defense mechanisms.
■ Neither study shows a nutritional difference.
Conclusions
Mom was right!
Enjoy the Abundance.
Eat More.
More Really Does Matter
■PBH is a non-profit consumer
education foundation.
■Purpose is to motivate people to eat
more fruits and vegetables for good
health.
■Public/Private partnership.
■More Matters® health initiative.
Elizabeth Pivonka
President, Produce for Better Health
Current Consumption – 2010 NPD Analysis
■Per capita fruit and vegetable consumption (in cups) has
remained fairly stable over the past 5 years (fruit +2%,
vegetables -2% 2009 vs. 2004).
■Only 6% of individuals achieve their recommended target for
vegetables; 8% achieve their recommended target for fruit in an
average day.
■However, several groups have increased their fruit consumption
by at least 5% vs. 2004. These include children ages 2-12,
males 18-34 and females 18-54.
■Recommended level of fruit
and vegetable consumption:
½ of what you eat.
www.FruitsAndVeggiesMoreMatters.org
Gen X & Gen Y Mom Fruit & Veg Attitudes
■Economic downturn’s negative impact on mom’s attitudes and
behavior related to consumption of fruits and vegetables
identified in 2009 appears to have diminished in 2010.
■In 2010, moms’ attitudes and behavior
recovered to levels seen in 2008.
Indicating return to positive momentum
among mothers to increase fruit and
vegetable consumption among family
members.
■Both Gen X and Gen Y moms are pricesensitive, Gen Y moms are more likely
to identify cost as barrier to consumption.
http://www.pbhfoundation.org/pulse/research/pbhresearch/
Consumer Perspective
■I’m all about the produce!
Dave Grotto, R.D., LDN
View from the Trenches
• Trend Surveys
• Conducted by Aramark
• “Stop telling us what not to eat, start telling us
what to eat.”
• Add in versus take away approach to a healthier lifestyle
Nutrition Housecall – July 12, 2010
“Shelvic Exam”
Patient’s eye on oganic . . .
…but isn’t eating It!
York High School Study
Chicago, April 2010
• Do you eat fruit daily?
Yes = 237, No = 61, No response = 4
• 20% don’t eat fruit on a regular basis
• If you don’t consume fruit daily, what is
preventing you from doing so?
#1. Convenience
#2. Taste
#3. Not Familiar with them
York High School Study – cont’d
• Do you eat vegetables daily?
Y-186, No – 116
• 38% don’t eat vegetables on a regular basis
• If you don’t consume vegetables daily, what
is preventing you from doing so?
#1. Convenience
#2. Taste
#3. Not Familiar with them
• “Tray Waste” studies more grim!
York High School Study – cont’d
• Met with parents to hear their concerns about
school district food service and survey
results.
• Nearly 40% mentioned “Dirty Dozen” and
concerns for produce safety at their school.
Lofty Goals & Roadblocks to Achievement
• Dietary Guidelines for Americans
– Krebs-Smith et al found fruits, vegetables (specifically
dark-green/orange vegetable varieties and legumes)
promoted in the 2005 DGA are not being produced in
quantities to meet present dietary recommendations
for every American.
• Supply v. demand
– Produce deserts
• Role of media
New webpage
www.safefruitsandveggies.com
Content
■Overview of Expert Panel Report.
■Info on the experts.
■Complete research report.
■Information on the safety of US food supply and
regulatory process.
■Nutritional information.
■More to come!!!
Q&A
For more information:
Alliance for Food and Farming
(831) 786-1666
info@foodandfarming.info