Alliance for Food and Farming - PBH Foundation | Produce ... · Primarily because this income group...
41
Pesticide Residues: What to communicate to consumers
Transcript of Alliance for Food and Farming - PBH Foundation | Produce ... · Primarily because this income group...
Pesticide Residues:
What to communicate to consumers
Presenter
Presentation Notes
(Marilyn) Welcome to today’s webinar. We are very pleased to present this information to you because we fully understand there is a high level of concern among consumers concerning pesticide residues on fruits and vegetables. In fact, we have conducted consumer research on this topic and we know it is something that greatly concerns people and, in fact, may be negatively impacting their consumption of these healthy foods.
For diverse reasons many individuals eat fewer fruits and veggies than recommended.
• Lack of Availability • Perceived High Cost • Unfamiliar Taste • Knowledge of health benefits • Perceived Safety
Presenter
Presentation Notes
There are already several barriers to consumption of healthy foods which PBH has researched extensively over the years. Some of the leading factors are the lack of availability, perceived high cost, the unfamiliar taste and, a lack of knowledge about health benefits. But we also know that there are some people who express fear about eating fruits and vegetables because of concerns about their safety. What consumers don’t need is another reason to avoid fruits and vegetables – especially because when it comes to concerns about pesticide resides – their fears are unfounded.
New Research on Perceptions of Low-Income Consumers
Assessing issue awareness and messaging on purchasing behavior of fresh fruits and vegetables in low-income populations.
--Yancui Huang, Brittany Wuchner, Sarah Thomas, Eunyoung Park, Indika Edirisinghe, Britt Burton-Freeman
--Center for Nutrition Research, Institute for Food Safety and Health, Illinois
Institute for Technology, Chicago, IL
Experimental Biology Abstract Number: 8469
Program Number: 1065.21
Presenter
Presentation Notes
Something we have suspected for quite some time and we now have some evidence of, is that the impact of fear and concern about pesticide residues may be having the most impact on fruits and vegetable consumption among consumers in a low-income demographic. Primarily because this income group largely cannot afford to substitute – as the activist groups recommend – organic versions of fruits and vegetables for the conventionally-grown kind. A new study was recently conducted by the Illinois Institute for Technology to assess perceptions about pesticide residues and to take an in-depth look at purchasing behavior of fruits and vegetables in low-income populations. The paper is currently in the peer review process, but a poster session was recently conducted at the Environmental Biology conference and an abstract has been published.
About the Study
Study Question Is anti-conventional, pro-organic F/V messaging helping or hurting the mission to increase F/V intake in America; and specifically in low-income people? Preliminary Conclusions: Cost is a major factor influencing F/V purchasing behavior Anti-conventional, pro-organic messaging decreases the likelihood to purchase conventionally grown F/V and increases the likelihood to purchase organic F/V. Organic over conventionally grown messages may be counter-productive to public health efforts to increase F/V intake in low income populations.
Presenter
Presentation Notes
What the research set out to determine was if messaging about fruits and vegetables that is pro-organic and anti-conventional is helping or hurting the mission to increase Fruit and vegetable intake in America, specifically among low-income consumers. We know that among the general population, fruit and vegetable intake is low. For low-income consumers, the intake is even lower with just 1 in 5 low-income consumers meeting recommendations for vegetable intake; for fruit it is 1 in 3. Unfortunately, low-income consumers are considered an at-risk group for chronic diseases like heart disease, stroke and cancer and should be eating a lot more fruits and vegetables. However, what the study found – not surprisingly – is that cost a major factor that influences fruit and vegetable purchase behavior for this demographic. This group is influenced by messaging they hear in traditional media and Internet channels that promotes the consumption of organic over conventional and these messages are counter-productive to public health efforts designed to increase fruit and vegetable consumption.
Facts Not Fear, Should Be Driving Consumer Actions
Presenter
Presentation Notes
This kind of negative impact on fruits and vegetable consumption is why in 2010 the Alliance for Food and Farming, a non-profit organization of fruit and vegetable farmers, launched a campaign called Safe Fruits and Veggies, the cornerstone of which is a website developed by experts in food safety, toxicology, nutrition and farming. The goal of this website is to provide people with more information about the safety and health of conventional and organic fruits and vegetables so that consumers can use facts, not fear in making healthy food choices.
Misleading information is impacting consumption
Presenter
Presentation Notes
The website was developed in response to activist groups and media outlets that unfairly disparage the safety of conventionally grown, affordable produce by using misleading information and this is having a negative impact on consumer choice and consumption. The Alliance for Food and Farming believes that raising fear without facts is a disservice to consumers. What consumers deserve is factual, science-based and balanced information.
Truism: Fruits and veggies are good for you and your family.
Presenter
Presentation Notes
As nutritionists and dieticians, you all know the benefits of a diet rich in fruits and vegetables. On this point everyone seems to agree. Choosing to eat fruits and vegetables is always the right choice – whether conventional or organic. But when it comes to some of the scary reports consumers may hear about the danger of some fruits and vegetables, they naturally have concerns and questions. This is why we are pleased to have with us today, Dr. Carl Keen, Professor of Nutrition and Internal Medicine from the Department of Nutrition at University of California, Davis. Dr. Keen will provide some interesting information about the science behind some of these reports – like the Dirty Dozen List -- which can be particularly damaging to consumer perceptions about fruits and vegetables so that you can be armed with facts when answering consumer questions on the important topic of pesticide residues.
Carl L Keen, Professor of Nutrition and Internal Medicine, Department of Nutrition, UC Davis
Key research areas include: 1. The investigation of the influence of maternal diet on the risk for pregnancy complications (maternal and conceptus); --Mars Chair in Developmental Nutrition 2. The identification and characterization of plant
phytochemicals that can contribute to vascular health.
Presenter
Presentation Notes
(Marilyn) Carl, I am going to turn it over to you now.
Why Are We Here Today? Widespread agreement that individuals should eat a diet rich in plant foods, including fruits and vegetables. Typical intakes of these foods in the U.S. are below government recommendations. Consumer research suggests that some of the most credible people to deliver health messages include physicians, nutritionists and dietitians. The popular media is increasingly where many get their nutritional facts. In addition to the positive messages put out by public health agencies, media and Internet can also be a source of negative messaging that can influence a consumer’s decision to purchase fruits and vegetables.
What are some KEY questions?
How strong is the evidence that high plant food diets can reduce the risk for certain diseases? How strong is the evidence that the small amounts of pesticide residues reported to occur on some food sources represent harm to the U.S. consumer? Is there evidence that the benefits of eating fruits and vegetables outweigh the potential risks associated with the small amounts of pesticides that might be obtained through the ingestion of these foods?
Why is there “confusion’ among the public?
The use of “good” and “bad” lists are popular when it comes to delivering information to consumers on health issues. This approach, while straight-forward and easy to understand, is often not based on science -- but rather perception. Regrettably, a significant portion of the public accepts the lists as factual. Unfortunately, incorrect messaging can have negative affects on public health instead of the positive impacts we all want. .
Expert Panel Review
• 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
Funding provided by the Agricultural Issues Forum, a group of commodity boards representing conventional and organic farmers.
Presenter
Presentation Notes
Presenter: Dr. Rick Reiss
Report Findings
Lists such as the “dirty dozen” can be an impediment to good health if they discourage consumption of produce, given that there is often minimal or no scientific evidence that the levels of pesticide residues found on fruits and vegetables available in the American market pose any human health risk.
Risk = Exposure x Toxicity
The “Dirty Dozen” list considers exposure, but makes no attempt to address toxicity. There are reliable, well-established and accepted methods for assessing the risk of small doses of chemicals. The authors of the “Dirty Dozen” list acknowledge this and clearly state on their website that the list “is not built on a complex assessment of pesticide risks.”
Presenter
Presentation Notes
.
Supporting Research by Dr. Carl Winter Published in Journal of Toxicology, 2011.
Dietary Exposure to Pesticide Residues from Commodities Alleged to Contain the Highest
Contamination Levels Volume 2011; Article ID 589674
Consumer risk from exposure to pesticides on “Dirty Dozen” list foods is negligible. Methodology used to create the Dirty Dozen list does not follow established scientific procedures. Substituting organic versions of “Dirty Dozen” commodities for conventional will not result in any measurable consumer health benefits
It is Well-Accepted that Fruits and Vegetables are Good For You
The Data on the health benefits of Fruits and vegetables are substantial and well defended. The risk for numerous diseases including: :
►High blood pressure ►Stroke ►Heart disease ►Certain Cancers ►Digestive problems is thought to be reduced with diets rich in fruits and vegetables.
In contrast, there is no clear evidence that the amount of pesticide residues reported on fruits and vegetables available in the American marketplace pose a risk.
It is perhaps ironic that people with high fruit and vegetable consumption may have higher pesticide residue exposures than individuals with a low intake!.
Current Uncertainties About Fruit and Vegetable Health Benefits
The mechanisms that underlie the health effects of fruits and vegetables are poorly understood and represent an area of significant research.
Limiting one’s diet to certain fruits and vegetables, and excluding others, due to fears over pesticide residues, may be risky if it results in consumers turning away from health-promoting fruits and vegetables.
Recent Study on this Topic
Estimation of cancer risks and benefits associated with a potential increased consumption of fruits and Vegetables
--Richard Reiss, Jason Johnston, Kevin Tucker, John M. DeSesso, Carl L. Keen, Food and Chemical Toxicology, volume 50:4421, 2012
Study Design and Main Finding
• Analysis of the potential number of cancer cases that might be prevented if half the U.S. population increased its fruit and vegetable consumption by one serving each per day.
• Contrasted with upper-bound estimate of cancer cases that might be attributed to added pesticide consumption.
• 20,000 cancer cases prevented vs. 10 cancer cases caused by increased fruit and vegetable consumption.
Overwhelming Conclusion
Diets rich in plant foods are associated with an overall positive health status and a decreased risk for certain diseases (e.g. select cancers, vascular
disease)
The Mediterranean Diet
2011 Meta Analysis 50 studies, 535,000 people Research supports the idea that diets rich in plant foods and healthy fats protects against the development of: cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, hyperlipidemia, metabolic syndrome, certain cancers and Alzheimer’s disease. Overall, eating a Mediterranean diet leads to a longer life span.
New Study Finds Fruit and Vegetable Consumption Leads to Longer Lives
Fruit and vegetable consumption and all-cause mortality: a dose-response analysis.
-- Andrea Bellavia et al, Am J Clin Nutr August 2013 ajcn.056119
Swedish study just published on-line Over 71,000 people studied over 13 years Lower fruit and vegetable consumption associated with shorter survival & higher mortality. Those who consumed more than 5 servings per day lived an average of 3 years longer than those who ate less than 5 servings of fruits and veggies.
Fruits and vegetables and coronary heart disease; outstanding issues
Evidence of fruits and vegetable consumption reduces the risk of cardiovascular disease remains scarce thus far. -- Dauchet et al., Nat. Rev Cardio, 2009 Consumption of fruits and vegetables is weakly associated with the risk of CHD in cohort studies Prevention trials have failed to show clear effects of fruit and vegetable consumption on the occurrence of CHD Consumption of fruits and vegetables is associated with decreases in the risk for high blood pressure, but effects on other CHD risk factors has not been clearly established
Coronary heart disease – cont’d
Prevention trials have failed to confirm the hypothesis that vitamins and other individual nutrients in fruits and vegetables prevent CHD. A bottom line, given that we do not know the specific compounds in fruits and vegetables that are providing their health benefits, it’s prudent that we recommend the consumption of a variety of these foods.
Another major issue for consumers: The Potential Differences in Nutritional Quality
of Conventional and Organically-Grown Several groups have addressed this issue:
• Winters and Davis review for Institute of Food Technologists, 2006.
• Dangour et al. American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 92:203, 2009.
• Smith-Spangler et al, Ann Inter Med, 157:348. 2012
Are Organic Foods Safer or Healthier Than Conventional Alternatives? A Systemic Review
“The published literature lacks strong evidence that organic foods are significantly more nutritious than conventional foods. Consumption of organic foods
may reduce exposure to pesticide residues and antibiotic-resistant bacteria.”
--Smith-Spangler et al. Ann Intern Med, 157:348-66, 2012
Some difference are expected Conventional crops have more nitrogen available,
often leading to more growth. Organic crops are often under more stress which can
result in an increased production of defensive phytochemicals in plants.
The nutritional value of these compounds for humans is poorly understood.
Currently, available evidence in scientific literature suggest there are no significant differences in the
nutritional/health values of conventional and organically-grown foods.
Additional Areas of Recent Public Concern
Pesticides and the potential risk for pregnancy complications.
Exposure to pesticides and the potential risk for
autism spectrum disorders.
The risk for pregnancy complications is low in women who consume “good” diets.
“Good” versus “Bad” diets: Ebbs et al. ‘41 Intervention Burke et al. ‘43 Observational Jeans et al. ‘55 Observational Primrose & Higgins ‘71 Intervention Laurence et al. ‘83 Intervention Friel et al. ‘95 Observational Wright ‘95 Observational Torfs et al. ‘98 Observational Velie et al. ’99 Observational DiCinito et al. ’99 Observational
Maternal Diet and Pregnancy Outcome: Case Controls:
Torfs CP et al. ’98 gastroschisis; low glutathione & carotene Gordon TE et al. ’03 gastroschisis; low folate Lam PK & Torfs ’06 gastroschisis; low Zn Siega-Riz et al. ’06 gastroschisis; high sat fat The NS et al. ’07 biliary atresia; low Cu, vit E Yang W et al. ’08 diaphragmatic hernia; lower risk with supplement use Paranjothy S et al. ’12 gastroschisis; low fruit & vegetable intakes Carmichael S et al. ’12 preterm birth; diet quality
Association between organic dietary choice during pregnancy and hypospadias in offspring: A study of mothers of 306 boys operated on for hypospadias
In this case-controlled study the incidence of hypospadias was reported to be higher in the offspring of women who
elect not consume organic alternatives (eggs, fruit, vegetables, meat, dairy products) compared to those that did, but it is unclear if this finding was due to other lifestyle differences, or some unknown chemical contamination of
high fat dairy products.
--Christensen JS et al. J Urol 2013; 189: 1077
Might “Diet” Play a Role in Autism?
Pesticides and pesticide residues
Low folate Abnormalities in the metabolism of certain amino acids
Low intake of essential fatty acids Alterations in the gut microbiome
Tipping the Balance of Autism Risk: Potential Mechanisms Linking Pesticides and Autism
--Shelton et al, EHP, 120:944, 2012
Associations versus Causality: Risk Factors for Autism and Related Disorders
Autism-specific maternal autoantibodies recognize critical proteins in developing brain
D Braunschweig, P Krakowiak, P Duncanson, R Boyce, RL Hansen, P Ashwood, I Hertz-Picciotto, IN Pessah, and J Van de Water
Maternal antibodies from mothers of children with autism alter brain growth and social behavior development in the rhesus monkey
MD Bauman, A-M Iosif4, P Ashwood, D Braunschweig, A Lee, CM Schumann, J Van de Water and DG Amaral
With respect to pesticides, more research and education is clearly needed
We need educational programs that address the risks associated with excessive exposure to pesticides
during pregnancy. LORENZ AN, ET AL. INT J ENVIRON RES PUBLIC HEALTH 19:3365, 2012 FLOCKS J, ET AL IMMIGR MINOR HEALTH 14:626, 2012 KELLEY MA, ET AL WORKPLACE HEALTH SAF 61: 308, 2013
The influence of diverse environmental challenges, including pesticides, is still poorly understood, and research in this area needs to be increased, but based on the data we have to date, when it
comes to fruits and vegetables available in the American marketplace, the weight of the evidence suggests . .
. .
Your mother and grandmother were right! Enjoy an abundant variety of fruits and vegetables on a daily basis. They’re good for you!
More Information
Represents both organic and conventional farmers. Information is science-based, peer reviewed and easy to understand. The science-based information has not been disputed.
Presenter
Presentation Notes
(Marilyn) You can find a lot more information about the Alliance for Food and Farming and the issue of pesticide residues at www.safefruitsandveggies.com. I want to remind you that the Alliance represent both organic and conventional farmers who work hard to provide safe, healthy and affordable fruits and veggies for American families. The Alliance’s information is science-based, peer reviewed and easy to understand. And the science-based information presented on our website has not been disputed.
User Friendly Science: The Pesticide Residue Calculator
Presenter
Presentation Notes
(Marilyn) We encourage you to use our website at www.safefruitsandveggies.com to help communicate with your clients and patients. But, when it comes to communicating about the “science” behind the information. We are very careful always to use credible science and experts. But, we tried to make it as fun and engaging as possible. An example of this is our pesticide residue calculator. It is a useful and interactive. Here is how it works . . . we knew from conducting consumer research that one of the best messages that worked to ease people’s concerns about pesticide residues is to tell them the residues are so small that they are harmless. The Pesticide Residue calculator demonstrates this graphically by telling you a how many servings of a fruit or vegetable you can eat and still not have any health effects. (Demonstrate calculator.)
More Information?
• Sign up for Newsletter. • Like our Facebook page. www.facebook/safefruitsandveggies
• Follow us on Twitter @safeproduce
www.safefruitsandveggies.com
Presenter
Presentation Notes
In the meantime, these are some things you can do to help stay abreast of developments and new research that comes out on this topic. There are a number of ways you can sign up to get notified about news items and new research: You can sign up to receive our e-newsletter. You can “Like” our Facebook page. You can follow us on Twitter. All of this can be done at the top of the Home Page at www.safefruitsand veggies.com.
Q & A
Presenter
Presentation Notes
(Elizabeth) We will now take some questions.
