Statement from the Cancer Prevention Coalition
CHICAGO–(Business Wire)–
As reported in a March 18, New York Times editorial, “Honest Food Labels,” FDA
Commissioner, Margaret Hamburg, M.D., publicized letters to 17 food companies
accusing them of — “masking undesirable ingredients” — in their products. She
also emphasized the importance of “providing nutrition information that
consumers can rely on.” Unfortunately, she has failed to take any such action
with regard to the two major dietary staples, milk and meat.

About 20% of our milk is genetically engineered, technically known as rBGH
(recombinant Bovine Growth Hormone), which contains high levels of a natural
growth factor known as IGF-1 (Insulin-like Growth Factor one). This survives
digestion and is readily absorbed from the small intestine into the blood.
Increased levels of IGF-1 have been shown to increase risks of breast cancer in
19 scientific publications, risks of colon cancer in 10 publications, and
prostate cancer in 7 publications. Of further concern, increased IGF-1 levels
block natural defense mechanisms against early microscopic cancers, known as
apoptosis.

Based on these concerns, on June 3, 1999, the United Nations Food Safety Agency,
representing 101 nations worldwide, ruled unanimously not to endorse or set
safety standards for rBGH milk. Effectively, this has resulted in an
international ban on U.S. milk.

Also based on these concerns, the Cancer Prevention Coalition, endorsed by five
leading national experts, petitioned the FDA in May 2007 to label rBGH milk with
an explicit cancer warnings. In the absence of any response, we resubmitted this
petition in January 2010 to Dr. Hamburg, and are waiting for a response.

U.S. cattle are implanted with natural or synthetic sex hormones prior to
entering feed lots 100 days prior to slaughter in order to increase their meat
yield. Not surprisingly, our meat is contaminated with high levels of sex
hormones. Based on these concerns, and as warned by the Cancer Prevention
Coalition and five leading national experts, our meat poses increased risks of
hormonal cancers, which have escalated since 1975: breast by 23%, prostate by
60%, and testis by 60%. Not surprisingly, U.S. meat is banned worldwide.

Furthermore, as clearly evidenced in a series of General Accounting Office
investigations and Congressional hearings, the FDA, besides the U.S. Department
of Agriculture (USDA), have failed to take any regulatory action to protect the
public from the dangers of hormonal meat. A 1986 report, “Human Food Safety and
Regulation of Animal Drugs,” unanimously approved by the House Committee on
Government Operations, concluded that the “FDA has consistently disregarded its
responsibility — has repeatedly put what it perceives are interests of
veterinarians and the livestock industry ahead of its legal obligation to
protect consumers — jeopardizing the health and safety of consumers meat, milk,
and poultry.”

In response to questions on the dangers of hormonal meat raised by the European
Commission in February 1996, the USDA responded with unsubstantiated claims that
less than 0.25% of animals tested annually proved positive for “residue
violations.” In fact, meat has not been and is still not monitored for sex
hormone levels by the USDA or FDA.

Together with other leading scientific experts, on January 29, 2010, the Cancer
Prevention Coalition submitted a Citizens Petition to the FDA on the “Imminent
health Hazard” from hormonal meat, supported by 59 scientific references. We are
waiting for a response.

Not surprisingly, U.S. milk and meat are virtually banned worldwide.

Samuel S. Epstein, M.D.
Professor emeritus Environmental & Occupational Medicine
University of Illinois Chicago School of Public Health
Chairman, Cancer Prevention Coalition
email: epstein@uic.edu
www.preventcancer.com
To subscribe: http://ens-news.net/lists/?p=subscribe&id=9

Copyright Business Wire 2010