The Organic Consumers Association (OCA) represents a half million people, like you, working together to support family farms, sustainable agriculture, safe food, and a healthy environment. Without you, there is no OCA. Together we are bringing about positive change!

Did you know ?

• Once GMO's are released into the environment they can never be recalled.
• We have been eating GMO food since 1996
• The United States grows 75% of the world's genetically engineered crops
• Most GMO crops are engineered to require the use of toxic weed killers
• Labeling of GMO foods is required in Europe, Japan, Russia and Australia, but not in the US

At the top of the world wide news is Genetic Engineering of the food we eat. Altering genetic makeup of species undermines and destroys the genetic foundation of agricultural systems world wide. Local Food believes that with the use of world altering technologies being applied to what we eat, that it is a small thing to ask that all GE foods and modified food products be labled. Monsanto and other American mega food corporations are spending six million to defeat the measure. Local Food supports your right to know what you are consuming and support the choice of consumers being knowledgeable about their food. The Organic Consumers Association have been lobbying against these giants with less than $150,000, yet the volunteer effort is strong and excellent work is resulting. Of course they can use your help. Much information can be found on the subject of GE foods at Genetically Engineered Food Alert . Another site, Genetically Modified Food News has a listing of over 2000 news articles about Genetically Modified Organisms in the food chain.

The Union of concerned Scientist have great articles like

• Listing of genetically engineered foods currently allowed on the market
• Genetically engineered salmon

TWENTY WAYS TO REDUCE YOUR INTAKE OF BODY CARE CHEMICALS
The UK Guardian has released a brief consumer guide with some great techniques to maintain good hygiene while protecting your health.

Of the 20 tips, here are some of our favorites:

#5 Avoid unnecessary use of products with a high sun protection factor. At night you don't need to use a moisturizer with an SPF.

#8 Become label savvy. Everyone reads food labels - get in the habit of doing the same with your toiletries. They won 't tell you everything, but it will help.

#16 The average make-up wearing woman will eat two pounds of lipstick in her life-time. Most lipsticks contain petroleum derivatives. Try brands based on beeswax, plant oils or vitamin E instead.

#20 Ask your granny for tips. Lemon juice, for example, has always been used as a beauty aid - to make fair hair shine, to soften hard skin, and get rid of blackheads. Cosmetics haven't always been all about products devised in laboratories.

Read all of the tips here: http://www.organicconsumers.org/bodycare/
reduce052104.cfm

TWENTY WAYS TO REDUCE YOUR INTAKE OF BODY CARE CHEMICALS
Read all of the tips here: http://www.organicconsumers.org
/bodycare/reduce052104.cfm