Page 25 - Spring2013

The USDA recently condemned sugary soda meats, can bring on panic attacks in some individuals. It seems to increase
drinks for school lunch programs but considers adrenal hormone levels, generating the fight-or-flight response. 71
artificially sweetened beverages a "healthier" Another common additive is annatto, a yellow extract from seeds of
choice. 70 a tree, which is added to foods that need a yellow coloring, such as snack
Neurological damage from excitotoxins also foods and cheese. It often produces rashes, increases in blood sugar and
depends on the quality of the diet. Those who eat even changes in blood pressure. Another additive, tartrazine, causes be-
antioxidant-rich foods such as organic colorful havioral disturbances in children. 72
fruits and vegetables, high quality protein and Back in the 1960s, Dr. Simon Feingold proposed the theory that cer-
good fats such as butter, lard, coconut oil and tain substances added to foods cause adverse reactions in children. These
others, are protected from the occasional food include artificial colorings, flavorings, preservatives and aspartame. Not
containing MSG. Cod liver oil and turmeric can all mood-affecting chemicals are created in factories. Salicylates, a natural
reduce the likelihood of damage. compound found in apples, oranges and other fruits, can cause seizures,
night terrors and speech problems in some children. These are eliminated
OTHER FOOD ADDITIVES in Stage 1 of the Feingold Diet. The diet has been successful in eliminating
Over three thousand chemicals, classified as behavior problems in some children. 73
food additives, are added to our food. Many of Synthetic food colorings are permitted to have 10 parts per million
these can affect mood and behavior. For example, (ppm) of lead in the substance but colors used in medications are allowed
sodium lactate, which is added to luncheon double that amount. The natural red dye, carmine, used in yogurts and

ASPARTAME IN SCHOOL LUNCHES

Aspartame is making huge inroads into the school lunch program. USDA and FDA plans will change school lunches
from bad to worse. School lunches have had a bad reputation for many years due to the quality of the “food” given to
growing children. Many school cafeterias have abandoned their kitchen and heat up premade pizzas, and open cans and
packages. Many have their foods shipped in already prepared from large producers who supply prisons, universities, and
other institutions. Schools that do prepare their foods can use up to 30 percent texturized soy protein in protein entrées.
The USDA has recently announced their plans to improve the quality of nutrition in school lunches by promoting
diet sodas. They say they will outlaw sugary drinks. And of course whole milk is on the outlaw list as well. But skim milk,
chocolate-flavored milk, soy milk, water, and diet sodas containing aspartame are all “a healthier choice” according to
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the USDA.
In a move to sell more milk, the dairy industry is petitioning the FDA to allow aspartame and other artificial sweeteners
to be added to milk and other dairy products without the labeling “artificially sweetened” because “they would promote
healthy eating and are good for school children.” “Kids don’t like the term low-calorie,” says Greg Miller of the National
Dairy Council. He also says that the industry is “not trying to be sneaky” and does not petition the FDA to remove aspar-
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tame from the list of ingredients on the product. It is only fair, they say, because sugar is added to milk without labeling. 4
A petition from a consumer group, SumOfUs, gathered 93,142 signers to oppose this move. To sign this petition, go to
sumofus.org. To submit a formal comment or send data to the FDA, go to: www.regulations.gov/#!submitComment;D=FDA-
2009-P-0147-0012. May 31, 2013 is the deadline for FDA comments. 3
Faced with the child obesity epidemic, the goal of nutrition experts is to cut calories from sugar, no matter what the
cost. Barry Popkin of the University of North Carolina says that: "If the option is flavored (milk) with diet (sweetener) vs.
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regular sugar, then diet (sweetener) is favored." The goal of reducing the amount of calories kids get from sugar has turned
into a campaign for introducing even more toxins into the child’s diet. Artificial sweeteners may have no calories, but they
increase the appetite and are linked to obesity in scientific studies.
Because many children and adults are allergic to aspartame, this move may further cut sales of processed milk. For
sure, it will cause behavioral problems in schools which already are overburdened with “special needs” kids. Instead of
providing a nurturing environment for learning based on sound nutritional principles, schools must follow government
regulations that are not in the best interest of children’s health. It is becoming more and more difficult for children to make
healthy choices because they are just not available in the form of nutrient-dense, natural and whole foods.

1. Jalonick, MC. New rules aim to get rid of junk food in school. AP. 2/2/2013. http://yhoo.it/VDb1ok
2. Aubrey A. Can Milk Sweetened With Aspartame Still Be Called Milk? 03/06/2013. NPR. http://n.pr/15yqCdn
3. Tepper, R. Aspartame In Milk Petition Sparks Thousands Of Angry Comments To FDA, Counter-Signatures. The Huffington Post, 3/07/2013.
http://huff.to/10jSNtC.
4. Aspartame in Milk Without a Label? Big Dairy Petitions FDA For Approval. The Daily Sheeple. 2/23/2013. http://bit.ly/15DJ59i.
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