SASKATOONEXPRESS - December 1-7, 2014 - Page 1
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Saskatoonʼs REAL Community Newspaper
Food and
Health
Separating facts from fiction
W
Joanne Paulson Saskatoon Express
hat’s in an apple? The very commodity that keeps the doctor away naturally contains acetone, formaldehyde and propanol — also known as nail polish remover, embalming fluid and rubbing alcohol. Yum. This is one of the fun facts to be learned at the upcoming Farms at the Table conference in Saskatoon on Dec. 10 and 11, where Joe Schwarcz of McGill University will uncover the science behind food. “The overall message that I have, whether it’s in agriculture or other areas, is separating sense from nonsense, and going by the evidence — not by emotion, not by hearsay, not by the all-knowing ‘they say,’ ” said the scientist often called “Dr. Joe.” He is the director of McGill’s Office for Science and Society, which is dedicated to demystifying science for the public, and well-known for his entertaining and myth-debunking speeches on a variety of subjects, often linked to food and health. Take the humble apple. “If you do a chemical analysis of the apple, you will discover it is made up of 300 compounds,” Schwarcz said in an interview. The compounds include sugar, water and the above-mentioned, less-appetizing components. When he mentions this to people who like to fear monger about food, “that usually rubs them the wrong way. Of course, the bottom line is these are there in inconsequential amounts. The benefits tremendously outweigh the toxicity of the compounds I just mentioned.” Acetone, for instance, is handled by the
CP90334.L01 Chenise
Joe Schwarcz of McGill University will be speaking at the Farms at the Table conference on Dec. 10 and 11 (Photo Supplied) body quite easily in such trace amounts. Schwarcz links the acetone-in-the-apple example to pesticides used in agriculture, noting that pesticide residues are actually present in smaller amounts than the acetone. “Pesticides are toxic and designed to kill insects and weeds and fungi. It’s not unreasonable to think it might have some effect on people. But we have to consider the extent to which we are exposed,” he said. “That is not just a matter of opinion. We have all kinds of regulations about how these chemicals can be used.” Adele Buettner, executive director of Farm Animal Council, is leading the
evolution of that group to the renamed and refocused Farm and Food Care. The entire initiative — both the organization itself and the event this month— is a collective effort between all those who farm and ranch, as well as industry affiliates, such as feed companies and government, she said. “It is the industry who wants to ensure consumers have an opportunity to connect with farmers and ranchers and those who grow food,” said Buettner. “With less than two per cent (of the Canadian population) having direct ties to the farm, Farm and Food Care Saskatchewan
serves to cultivate awareness and appreciation of agriculture in the province with the belief that getting to know farmers and ranchers equals getting to know food. “We see this (event) as a way to have a conversation with the public about food and farming.” Buettner said more and more people are interested in where and how their food is produced. A recent Ipsos Reid survey said 93 per cent of Canadians know little about food and farming, but two-thirds of them want to know more. (Continued on page 4)
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