Is there anything about food or farming that you’re concerned about?
There’s so much choice when it comes to food shopping but deciding what to put in your food basket has become complicated.
Are you worried if the food you eat is healthy, safe, nutritious or sustainably produced? Let me know if something’s bothering you and I might contact you for a future article.
What bothers me is the ideological war over food. Today, if you make the choice not to consume meat, you become even more savage: a pedo-satanic.
Excommunicated from the “family” of decent people. (carnivores, omnivores and philatelists) It's like the story of a famous Coop tote for not the city. 4 months before the votes on synthetic pesticides in 2020, it seems to me. Those responsible, among other things, for the pollution of agricultural land, for the impoverishment of biodiversity.
A clever mind (and smart, the term is still too light) took a monumental joy in making the famous connection (a word to be banned - satanism). In line with the Quanon movement in the US.
It should be noted that today all criticisms that go against freedom of thought are accused of (censored word-satanism).
The first responsibility that an individual can have is to put into his stomach the food that brings him the greatest joy.
Stomachs are not mass graves. At this rate, it is better to bury your head underground so as not to be offended by the ugliness of digital times.
Eschatology is a change in programming at the cellular level. Humans are not the king on Earth.
Ce qui me turlupine, c’est la guerre idéologique au niveau alimentaire. Aujourd’hui, si tu fais le choix de ne pas consommer de viande, tu deviens un sauvage même plus : un pedo-satanique.
Excommunié de la ” famille ” des gens convenables. ( carnivores, omnivores et philatélistes) C’est comme l’histoire d’un fameux cabas de la Coop pour pas la cité. 4 mois avant les votations sur les pesticides de synthèse en 2020, il me semble. Ceux responsables entre autre de la pollution des terres cultivables, de l’appauvrissement de la biodiversité.
Un esprit malin ( et malin, le terme est encore trop léger) c’est pris une joie monumentale de faire le fameux rapprochement ( mot à bannir - satanisme ). Dans la droite ligne de la mouvance Quanon au US.
Il est à noter qu’aujourd’hui toutes critiques qui va à l’encontre de la liberté de penser et taxée de crime de ( mot censuré-satanisme ).
La première responsabilité que peut avoir un individu, c’est de mettre dans son estomac la nourriture qui lui apporte la plus grande joie.
Les estomacs ne sont pas des charniers. A ce taux là, mieux vaut enterrer sa tête sous terre pour ne pas s’offusquer de la laideur des temps digitaux.
L’eschatologie c’est un changement de programmation au niveau cellulaire. L’humain n’est pas le roi sur terre.
Is it currently considered safe to (occasionally) consume 'steak tartare' when traveling in France?
i'm 62 years old, and as far back as i can remember, the importance of eating a balanced diet has always been an example to follow...fruit, vegetables, meat, cheese, and occasionally a little chocolate. when i had my children, i continued on this model, buying no sugary drinks, but preferring tap water. But now they're grown up, they eat less and less meat, preferring vegetables, they're careful to follow the "ecology" trend for a better world, while I don't know what to believe any more, I'm suspicious of everything, even the water that comes out of the tap. I hardly buy anything from Spain. I trust the Swiss markets, and even there I tell myself there must be cheats. Help...I don't like cooking anymore.
j'ai 62 ans, du plus loin que je me souvienne, l'importance de manger équilibré est toujours resté comme un exemple à suivre..fruits, légumes, viandes, fromage, et de temps à autre un peu de chocolat. quand j'ai eu mes enfants, j'ai continué sur ce modèle, en achetant pas de boissons sucrées, mais en privilégiant l'eau du robinet. Mais maintenant ils sont grands, ils mangent de moins en moins de viande, privilégient les légumes, ils font attention en suivant le courant de " l'écologie" pour un monde meilleur, pendant que moi je ne sais plus que croire, je me méfie de tout, même de l'eau qui sort du robinet. Je n'achète pratiquement rien qui vienne d'Espagne. Je me fie aux marchés suisse et même là je me dis qu'il doit y avoir des tricheurs. Au secours..je n'aime plus faire la cuisine.
I am concerned about whether food (especially grain) will be well distributed to people in the next 5-10 years. I feel that there is a possibility that we may not be able to buy it even if we pay for it.
今後５年後１０年後の食料（特に穀物）が人々にうまく行きわたるのか心配です。お金を払っても買えなくなる可能性あるような気がします。
I want to make a contribution to the debate from a point of view that should make the consumer reflect on their attitude related to the choice of food products to consume. We must be aware of the relationship between the purchase decision and the "manipulative" marketing used by a large part of the food industry, in the promotion of their products, with terms that mislead or deceive, highlighting false attributes and utilities. A stricter regulation of these practices is necessary, and the administrations have a great responsibility both in consumer education and in the regulation of advertising.
Quiero hacer una aportación al debate desde un punto de vista que debería hacer reflexionar al consumidor su actitud relacionada con la elección de los productos alimenticios a consumir . Debemos de ser conscientes de la relación que existe entre la decisión de compra y el marketing "manipulador " que se utiliza gran parte de la industria alimentaria , en la promoción de sus productos , con términos que equivocan o engañan , resaltando atributos y utilidades falsas .Es necesaria una regulación mas estricta de esas practicas ,y las administraciones tiene una gran responsabilidad tanto en la formación del consumidor como en la regulación de la publicidad
It is alarming how people are forced to consume sugar against their will in almost all kinds of food. Toxics overall is injected into all food, such as coservatives and other poison chemicals. It is increasingly impossible to find natural food, but that is a bad thing - never a good thing. Essentially, supermarkets are becoming poison shops for drug dealers.
The concerns are based on the facto there is not always supply chain and traceability of food. I prefer short supply chain foods for example I buy directly from the farmer who has to produce viologically without the use of pesticides, chemical fertilizers and whatnot.
Le preoccupazioni sii basano sul fattoo non sempre esiste la filiera e la tracciabilità del cibo. Preferisco cibi a filiera corta ad esempio acquisto direttamente dal contadino che deve produrre in modo viologico senza l'uso di pesticidi, concimi chimici e quant'altro.
Pesticides, chemical fertilizers, terrible breeding of many animals
Pesticidi, concimi chimici, allevamento terribile di molti animali
The article about farm difficulties related to competition due to the import of cheap cheese is just one example of a much larger problem throughout the agricultural sector.
Small and medium-sized farms are closing in Italy as well, organic could have been a solution to stand out in an industrialized market, but today agribusiness has also entered that sector and the problem is recurring.
The citizen does not understand that food cannot be chosen just by comparing price, he fails, or perhaps he is not given the tools to understand the true value of one choice over another.
A citizen understands and justifies the price difference of a cell phone, a branded sweater, a handcrafted item and is then free to choose whether to save money by avoiding emblazoned brands, or prefer an Ikea chair to one made by local artisans, but on food there is no such culture. By now, food is bought almost exclusively in the large-scale retail trade (large supermarkets); small stores have disappeared or almost disappeared. This has flattened all food downward, where only price makes the difference. In some areas there is still the ability to distinguish. Between a very cheap wine and a good wine, people often make a choice that is not only related to price, but in other sectors there are no tools to tell the difference between a tomato from a small farm and a product from intensive farming.
It is a very complex topic, touching on land protection, the culture of a people, territorial principals of marginal areas, pollution and related costs. So it becomes an important political issue, which politics governs with contributions, but it should secondly also go through education about food, transparency of production systems.
After years of working as a computer scientist, I have been a farmer for almost 20 years, I have represented an association of organic producers, I have had trade experience. I have been in schools talking to children and organized conferences on the subject. From all of this I have the certainty that it is the lack of tools necessary for an informed choice that then ruins the market for quality products, more than ever in times of economic crisis where food is the first sector where people tend to save money and do not even want to listen to the reasons why this is the worst choice a citizen can make.
L'articolo sulle difficoltà della aziende legato alla concorrenza dovuta all'importazione di formaggi a basso costo è solo l'esempio di un problema ben più ampio in tutto il settore agricolo.
Le piccole e medie aziende agricole stanno chiudendo anche in Italia, il biologico poteva essere una soluzione per distinguersi in un mercato industrializzato, ma oggi anche l'agroindustria è entrata in quel settore e il problema si ripresenta.
Il cittadino non capisce che il cibo non si può scegliere solo paragonando il prezzo, non riesce, o forse non gli vengono forniti gli strumenti per capire il valore vero di una scelta rispetto ad un 'altra.
Un cittadino capisce e motiva la differenza di prezzo di un telefonino, di un maglione di marca, di un oggetto di artigianato ed è poi libero di scegliere se risparmiare evitando marchi blasonati, o preferire una sedia Ikea ad una di artigianato locale, ma sul cibo non c'è questa cultura. Ormai il cibo si acquista quasi esclusivamente nella GDO (grandi supermercati), sono sparite o quasi le piccole botteghe. Questo ha appiattito tutto il cibo verso il basso, dove solo il prezzo fa la differenza. In alcuni settori c'è ancora la capacità di distinguere. Tra un vino molto economico ed un buon vino spesso si fa una scelta che non è solo legata al prezzo, ma in altri settori non ci sono strumenti per capire la differenza tra un pomodoro di una piccola azienda agricola e un prodotto da agricoltura intensiva.
E' un argomento molto complesso, che tocca la tutela del territorio, la cultura di un popolo, i presidi territoriali di zone marginali, l'inquinamento e costi ad esso collegati. DIventa quindi un tema politico importante, che la politica governa con i contributi, ma dovrebbe secondo passare anche attraverso una educazione all'alimentazione, alla trasparenza dei sistemi di produzione.
Dopo anni di lavoro come informatico ho fatto per quasi 20 anni il contadino, ho rappresentato un'associazione di produttori biologici, ho avuto esperienze di commercio. Sono stato nelle scuole a parlare con i bambini e organizzato convegni sul tema. Da tutto questo ho la certezza che è la mancanza di strumenti necessari per una scelta consapevole che poi rovina il mercato di prodotti di qualità, più che mai in momenti di crisi economica dove il cibo è il primo settore dove si tende a risparmiare e non si vogliono neppure ascoltare i motivi per cui questa è la scelta più sbagliata che un cittadino può fare.
Regarding your article about struggling Swiss dairy farmers and the possibly high margins taken by large retailers: Our family buys Swiss cheese, mostly from Coop and Migros. We have our food delivered as it saves precious time. If it were possible to buy the same cheese at the same price direct from farms, we would. Typically, when buying directly from farms, the prices are however quite a lot higher than in supermarkets. Farms are fun to visit and one can find tasty cheeses there but with the price imbalance, this remains a niche for us. Price transparency would be nice across the board.
Peanut hypersensitivity can be catastrophic. Need to jab epipen to prevent anaphylaxis
Palforzia seems to be a panacea. Drug costs will be high initially. But risk benefit considerations override cost.
There is enormous concern about the poisoning of food through the use of fertilizers and insecticides on crops, additives in processed foods and, in the case of chocolate (and probably other foods such as fish in contaminated waters). It is the government's first duty to provide information on how to proceed, what to avoid and what is prohibited and illegal to sell. In the case of cadmium in cocoa plantations, it would be reasonable for governments, through the bodies responsible for agriculture, food of plant and animal origin, industrialized or not, to set objective standards for safety, information for consumers and, above all, to facilitate the checking of "contaminated" reactions, mapping areas and studying the degree of danger in food production. If this is not done, a serious problem will be discredited and vulgarized. The lobby of the big industries cannot simply sweep the damage done under the carpet. The minimum that is required is to warn the population, as in the case of smoking and its consequences. The same should be the norm for other products. Like alcoholic drinks.
É enorme a preocupação com o envenenamento de alimentos através de uso de adubos e inseticidas na lavoura, aditivos em alimentos industrializados e, no caso do chocolate (e provavelmente outros alimentos como o pescado em águas contaminadas). Infirmar é a primeira obrigação do governo, instruindo como proceder, o que evitar e o que é proibido e ilegal comercializar. No caso do Cádmio em lavouras de Cacau, seria razoável os governos, através dos órgãos responsáveis pela agricultura, alimentos de origem vegetal e animal, industrializados ou não, colocarem normas objetivas para padrões de segurança, informação para consumidores e, principalmente facilitar a checagem das reagiões "contaminadas", mapeando áreas e estudando o grau de perigo na produção de alimentos. Isto não sendo feito, há descrédito e vulgarização de um grave problema. O lobby das grandes indústrias não podem simplesmente esconder debaixo do tapete os males produzidos. O minimo que se pede é que se alerte a população, como no caso do fumo e suas consequências. O mesmo deveria ser norma para outros produtos. Como bebidas alcoólicas.
Predators like lady bugs and others can be tried on small scale. Harmless repellents like boric acid and camphor etc may also work. Traditional non toxic methods can be dug up and tried.
Worried? Sure, about all the pesticide that goes along in the production.
There are organic options available. Do you think they are too expensive?
Can we trust the organic options really?
There are some chemicals allowed in organic farming like copper salts and sulphates. Is this what you mean? Or are you worried about pesticide residues from conventional farming transported by wind and water?
It is an interesting topic that deserves an article of its own.
About 80% of the so called “food” in every store is not needed and in addition contributes to metabolic deseases. If we want to save the planet, lets start with processed food corporations who use plastic for everything.
Humans are omnivore and our diet is very elementary: meat, fish, vegetables and occasionally fruit. Thats all. Highly processed industrialized foods, loaded with grains, sugars and tons of carbohydrates are the main responsibles for modern metabolic deseases. And now with the increasing offer of highky processed vegan whatever solutions, will carry out further health problems. Just wait and see. Meanwhile I am sticking to my local farmers for naturally produced meat and vegis.
You are lucky to have access to produce from local farmers. However, domestic agriculture covers barely more than half of Switzerland's food needs. Do you have any other suggestions for a healthy and sustainable food basket?
Thanks Anona - I agree 200%
I suggest home economics/cooking classes starting from school. Teach the 10 - 16-year-olds how to shop and cook a balanced meal. I trained as a chef and grew up in a foodie family, so processed food was only for occasions rather than our weekly diet. Over the years, I have helped many families to transition from eating over-processed foods to healthier options and continue to train young adults.
Don't even start me on the new range of Vegan products. Learn to cook vegetables with excellent flavours; you do not need them to look like meat. I agree that domestic farming cannot supply all of what we need, but the surrounding EU countries make up the difference. Diet is one of the key pillars of good health, I get a voucher from my health insurance to join a fitness class, why not look at ways to promote/subsidise healthier food options?
Lets all start supporting natural production of food. It is on us. We have created the problem by relying on big manufacturers. All that money that goes to junk food can be sent for sustainable and natural food production. And above all, lets educate our children about how nature works. Currently such lack of education makes us perfect prey for big corporations to implant any false information into our brains. This wont happen overnight but indeed, it is time to turn off the TV and put our money in real science, where no conflict of interest is involved.
Yeah the vegan topic, if humans can survive without meat why making vegetables smell and taste like meat, who are we kidding. Its just another business that will further deteriorate the planet and destroy our health. Every time you eat the so called “planted chicken”, you are ingesting highly industrialized food very bad for your health. And ignoring the cognitive dissonance the industry is trying to create from the fact that a chicken cannot be planted, otherwise that would be the extreme of animal torture. The world is completely mad. Many people still do not realize that big corps are playing woth us to sell us their junk and take our money… I agree, we absolutely need education.
What concerns me is the multitude of unnecessary packaging. Filling up waste disposal sites and, even worse, so much of this material not recyclable.
Food safety standards are partly to blame. Companies are making some efforts but can definitely do better. I will be writing about this as food packaging is an important topic.
If many countries in the west have their way....there won't be any farming as they're asking farmers to kill 100,000s of cows, chickens, and are using GMO seeds to grow crops. Some farmers are even being punished i.e. USA if they don't "comply." In Netherlands they request that farmers "kill off" livestock to meet their climate initiatives. But yet those in charge want to claim that a "food shortage" is imminent...yet they're creating the shortage! Ireland plans to slaughter 200,000 cows due to "climate change" to reduce carbon emissions. You know those cow farts can have a nasty affect on the climate (sarc). I think farming is in deep trouble. Why? Because they want us eating lab grown meat, GMO enhanced fruits and vegetables, and bugs. They want to "try" to kick-out nature and bring in man's own imitation-of-life that will destroy us all.
By the way....I think "plant based foods" are a sham as well. Plant based has become the surrogate term for "veganism." But there's nothing vegan about it. There's a word used today in the health food industry called 'greenwashing." This allows the food industry to get away with a less than healthy product by using buzzwords that many consumers associate with health. Just because something is labeled "plant based" doesn't mean there's anything good in it at all. You can take plants and make dangerous concoctions from them as well. So what gives with let's say plant based assortments being pushed in our grocery stores? It's possible to create unhealthy products using the term "plant based." I tasted one of those plant based items and I could taste the difference right away. IMHO.....It's not "real food."
I prefer (as much as possible) to buy food from the locals or at least read the ingredients very, very carefully. If there are too many ingredients it's not going into my basket. Also it's important to discover where the food is from. All countries don't follow the same guidelines when producing food. Following the past few years, consumers have to be more then careful as we're being used as guinea-pigs from every angle. Products are no longer tested before selling them. They are now sold and tested first on the consumer's to see their reaction and unfortunately, our food is no different.
Agreed. The foods that are produced by the industrial complex are filled with sugar and god knows what else. It is suggested that these cause an increase in obesity and sickness and premature death. Feeding the useless eaters as the elites like to call them is big business, so taking over all the farmland and pushing out the armers to cut out the middle man is a lucrative move. Whoever controls the food, controls the people, so in my opinion farms must remain independent of the politics and greed. The phama companies are researching cures for cancers and sickness that hardly ever existed before the diet changes of the modern era, one feeds the other. Obesity drugs now coming out soon, so you can carry on eating unhealthy and stay thin!
The lack of food choice, but I understand it as Switzerland is a small country. But at least the sandwich shops now offer more than cheese, salami, tuna and ham. To help dieters, there should be an aisle of fat-free, sugar-free food. It takes ages to shop when dieting as you have to read every small print label to figure out what is in it. The excessive amount of sugar in so-called healthy food and drink is crazy. Plus, fat in food should be labelled as good or bad fat. We do not all understand the official terminology.
Food labels can be confusing and there is rarely enough space to list everything. The idea of a healthy food aisle is a good one!
I wanna know why Migros and others feel the need to import chicken all the way from Brazil. Profit over environmental sustainability is a big NO GO for our household. As a family we try to only purchase fresh goods that were nationality produced, or at least from a neighboring country. And don't get me started on Factory Farms, the family farm is in distress I just hope corporate ownership doesn't overwhelm the farming sector.
Local is not always better for animal welfare. Migros claims that since 2020 its chickens sourced from Brazil are raised under Swiss welfare standards. The parent stock have 50% more space than similar facilities in Europe!
https://report.migros.ch/2019/en/progress-report-2019/products/food/#meat-dairy-products-and-eggs
I guess it is cheaper for Migros to implement good animal welfare on a large scale in Brazil than in Europe. And meet the demand for cheap meat from Swiss consumers...
Very good analysis. Very pertinent comment.
Muito boa a tua analise. Comentário bem pertinente.
the answer is very simple, its just business for them. its not about your health, not about the planet, its about them and their money. Just name one big corporation that is genuinely concerned about you? just one…
It would be good to know (and display on packaging) whether produce from abroad was treated with herbicides, such as Glyphosate.
Same for growth hormones / anti-biotics for meat products.
Already avoid products from countries where regulations regarding food production are lax, but would definitely.appreciate being able to see this sort of information on the label.
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