Alliance outlines success against 'Dirty Dozen' list at FPFC Luncheon
Alliance outlines success against 'Dirty Dozen' list at FPFC Luncheon
CERRITOS, CA — Representatives for the Alliance for Food & Farming detailed the success they have had combating negative stories about fruits and vegetables at the June 19 luncheon meeting of the Fresh Produce & Floral Council in Southern California, here.
Marilyn Dolan, executive director of the Alliance, discussed the strategy the organization has used against the "Dirty Dozen" report issued by the Environmental Working Group each year.
Matt McInerney, executive vice president of Western Growers Association and chairman of the board of the Alliance for Food & Farming, with David Miroglio of Marzetti, and Marilyn Dolan, executive director of the Alliance for Food & Farming.EWG has been taking government statistics about pesticide residues and issuing what they call the "dirtiest" fruits and vegetables. It made no difference that each of the fresh products still had residue levels well below what is allowable, and would take the daily consumption of inordinate amounts for any negative impact whatsoever.
For the past several years, the Alliance, which is mostly made up of industry associations, has been proactively challenging the list with facts and research projects. Its efforts have even caused the EWG to issue a statement that consuming fruits and vegetables - both organic and conventional - is a more healthful strategy than consuming fewer fruits and vegetables because of any concern about pesticide residues.
While the attention to the list by the Alliance initially resulted in an increase in the number of reputable news organizations publicizing the EWG list, in the past couple of years fewer and fewer news organizations with national following have devoted any news space to the story.
Matthew McInerney, executive vice president of Western Growers Association, who is chairman of the board of the Alliance, detailed the structure of the Alliance and made a subtle plea for increased financial involvement by others in the industry.
He said the Alliance is often the go-to organization when food-safety issues concerning fruits and vegetables are in the press.
In fact, the organization was founded more than 20 years ago during the Alar apple scare involving that growth regulator, Washington State apples and Meryl Streep, who actively campaigned against the use of that product.
