Healthy eating

by Benoît Bleau, translation Sheila Lord  (February 2012)

For 2012 we wished you good health. To help promote healthy eating, here is the first part of a new series which will offer you lots of hints to achieve this.

Choosing the Right Fruits and Vegetables
When shopping at the supermarket you have probably noticed labels on fresh bulk fruits and vegetables which show four or five figures. Focus on the first figure shown on the label, as this identifies the product.

If you have a four digit number and the first figure is 3 or 4, this means that the product has been produced by conventional agricultural methods, that is, this food item has probably been treated with pesticides, fungicides, herbicides, fertilizers or other chemical substances during its growth period and that it has also been treated to affect ripening and appearance.

If you have a five digit number and the first figure is 8, this means that the product has been genetically modified (OGM) but you will not always be aware of this, as in Canada it is not compulsory to mention this fact on the packaging.

If you have a five digit number and the first figure is 9, this means that the product has been organically produced, that is, produced without synthetic chemicals, has not been genetically modified and has been grown in conditions which respect its environment. You must still check the origin of the product, as an organic potato from China, on account of the transportation involved, is not necessarily more organic than one grown locally by conventional methods.

Finally, when you next go shopping, give preference to products showing figure 9 on the labels which have been transported the shortest distance. Otherwise go ahead and choose local conventional products on which labeling begins with 3 or 4. But avoid any beginning with 8.

If you have any questions or suggestions to make, don’t hesitate to let us know.

Meanwhile, happy eating until our next instalment. Benoît Bleau 450-247-0137 or benoit.bleau@gmail.com