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Local politics, the county, and the world, as viewed by Tammy Maygra Tammy’s views are her own, and do not necessarily reflect the views of Bill Eagle, his pastor, Tammy’s neighbors, Wayne Mayo, Betsy Johnson, Joe Corsiglia, President Trump, Henry Heimuller, VP Pence, Pat Robertson, Debi Corsiglia’s dog, or Claudia Eagle’s Cats. This Tammy’s Take (with the exception of this disclaimer) is not paid for or written by, or even reviewed by anyone but Tammy and she refuses to be bullied by anyone. See Standard Disclaimer.
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Food From China
I decided to write a few articles on where your food comes from, did you know 80% of the garlic sold worldwide comes from China. In 2014 America imported 138 million pounds of garlic. But there comes a high price for garlic imported from China and consumed by Americans, Americans are eating garlic contaminated with pesticides, and covered in bleach. Most people think their garlic comes from Gilroy California because after all it is or was the garlic capital of the world, well not anymore. In the US, it’s become cheaper and easier to import garlic from places like China. Unfortunately, China isn’t as strict with its safety regulations. It is reported that the garlic is bleached in chlorine, fumigated in pesticides, grown in untreated sewage water, and even contaminated with lead. And Americans are eating it unaware of the health hazards it has. The bleach is used to cover up dirt spots, even though discoloration is perfectly natural for garlic. While bleaching kills insects, prevents sprouting, and helps whiten the bulb, it’s also fumigated with a dangerous toxin called methyl bromide. When ingested in high doses, methyl bromide can cause central nervous system and respiratory problems. According to the UN, it’s 60 times more dangerous than chlorine—so is the lower cost worth the risk. You can easily tell the difference between Chinese and American garlic. Chinese garlic has had the roots removed for regulation purposes. How weird is that the Chinese can export contaminated products that are a health risk with no problems but the damn roots has to be removed or not be in compliance. American garlic has the roots on it as there is no regulation about removing roots in America. Another way to see if the garlic you are buying is Chinese garlic or American is the weight, Chinese garlic contains more water and is about 37% solid to Americas 42%. So squeeze the bulbs and buy the firmer ones, there are American garlic. Garlic from China has a bit of a metallic taste, while American bulbs are more flavorful. American garlic contains more allicin, which is the dominant factor in determining that distinct taste and smell. China maintains a network of prison labor facilities that use forced labor to produce goods intended for export a violation of U.S.-China trade agreements and U.S. law. The value of Chinese forced labor exports to the United States is unknown because China’s forced labor industry has long been a smoky twisted configuration. These forced labor issues are exacerbated by the use of middlemen companies to market the products in question for export, by U.S. inspectors’ lack of access to suspected sites and by the Chinese government’s refusal to agree with the U.S. government on what constitutes forced labor and thus which products are governed by relevant consensual agreements. According to the U.S. Department of Labor, known products linked to Chinese forced labor as of September 2016 are artificial flowers, bricks, Christmas decorations, coal, cotton, electronics, fireworks, footwear, garments, construction nails and garlic. It has been reported that forced labor are made to peel garlic by hand. These people have to peel so many pounds of garlic a day or be severely punished. When the prolonged exposure to juices from the garlic cause the workers to lose their fingernails, the worker then continues to peel garlic by using their teeth because of the fear of being punished. The Chinese government calls the forced labor re-education practices. Below is documentation from the United States International Trade Commission Investigation No. 731-TA-683 (Second Review) Fresh Garlic from China DETERMINATION On the basis of the record developed in the subject five-year review, the United States International Trade Commission (Commission) determines, pursuant to section 751(c) of the Tariff Act of1930 (19 U.S.C. § 1675(c)) (the Act), that revocation of the antidumping duty order on fresh garlic from China would be likely to lead to continuation or recurrence of material injury to an industry in the United States within a reasonably foreseeable time. I suggest you watch the Netflix Documentary “ROTTEN” and learn about your food. Buy Local, Buy made in the USA whenever possible, the few extra cents per pound is worth more than the price of gold and there is no price on your health, Help the people who are made as a slave to produce material for export. If you stop buying slave made items the forced labor will decrease and US producers will not be undercut and they can afford to continue to produce products that Americans can buy. You help American farmers, and yourself. Tammy
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