lmeck (03/23/83)
Just because people have been eating natural foods for years, there is no reason to suppose that this is either safe or desirable. It often takes a long time to prove a link between some natural food and a disease it causes or aggravates, especially in long-term genetically- based disorders. Further, some natural foods that are safe for the general population (like seafood, apparently) are NOT safe for sensitive individuals, who have a right to know whether these are being added to their food. Some individuals have unpleasant, even though not necessarily dangerous, reactions to other natural foods; for example, wine causes headaches in some. And one may ask whether it is reasonable for consumers to accept the production of natural food that produce no positive effect for them, but simply increases the profit of the producer. We probably don't need too many additional regulations, though (except for natural food disclosure laws for produce retailers and restaurants), since natural food is already labelled. What we should do, wherever a choice exists, is to boycott products tainted with natural food in favor of those without it. The manufacturers will get the message. Loren Meck
benson (03/26/83)
When I was a boy, we used to drink sassafras tea occasionally. It was a fine treat. I understand (but don't know the particulars) that it is carcinogenic. This is a case of a natural food containing a hidden danger. A natural food which is known for its danger is the mushroom. I am told that morels are a great delicacy, but that there are false morels that are highly poisonous. Does anyone know of a commercial source for these mushrooms ? Could one grow them in a basement ? And how about growing those expensive Chinese black mushrooms ? (I fear I sound like Richard Fader from Fort Lee, New Jersey, Rosanne Rosanna Danna correspondant) Peter Benson decvax!ittvax!dcdwest!benson