I need to offer a sincere apology. Some would say “I need to eat my words.” But I’m not fond of paper, so I’ll stick with I’m sorry.
My column titled, “Better Watch What You Eat,” published two weeks ago had a reference to GMOs that was obviously offensive and inaccurate. Although I cited a disclaimer that I was no expert on the topic and only provided personal experiences, consulting an expert would have been a good idea. Researching some of the content on the Internet, without consulting local experts, resulted in a flurry of chastisement.
My error was pointed out to me by a reader, a local farmer, who was very knowledgeable on the subject and kind enough to set me straight. He told me the Thumb grows safe GMO foods that are the most tested agricultural products in history. I have lived in Huron County for 45 years and am a strong advocate of our area’s agricultural heritage. I sing its praises frequently in my columns, bragging about the farmer’s markets that have developed all over the county.
Port Austin’s market is one of the most popular ones in the entire state. I live a block away from it and so enjoy watching the streams of people going by with their arms, carts and baby buggies full. Eating “fresh” wholesome produce from the markets is a great way to avoid many of the conditions I mentioned in my previous column.
I will continue to advise readers to be vigilant about what they eat. For some of us, the additives and flavor enhancers have proved to be very harmful. There must be a reason so many food manufacturers have chosen to label their products: NO MSG. The fact that many people, including one of my readers who commented, develop allergic reactions to added contents in our everyday food intake speaks for itself. I also will keep wondering why ice cream needs a shelf life of over a year, doesn’t everyone just gobble it down like I do?
Because I got in trouble relying on the Internet to advise me for some information, it may be wise to try this. If a family member reacts to a specific food item, check the content label. If that family member has a problem with another item, see if it has the same content. Don’t just keep saying; “It must have been food poisoning.” Try eliminating that item and see what results. Perhaps consult a person trained in nutrition who can advise you.
My very skilled physician, with years of education, simply told me to watch what I eat. And if I have a problem, remove the food from my diet. I passed that information on to my cook and she is now the food police, on duty to guard my stomach.