Organic Consumers Association
One of the most informative sites available!

Center for Food Safety
How to safeguard your food supply and the environment.

High Desert Local Focus
Tailored to your shopping needs in California's High Desert area.

Local Harvest
Follow the links to bring organic products to your home throughout the nation.

An Eye on Ingredients:

Environmental Working Group
A knowledge base on food, water and the environment.

Truth in Labeling Campaign
What MSG can do to you.

Aspartame Info
What aspartame will do to you.

Ear to the Earth:

Friends of the Earth
Think globally - act here

Mother Jones
Humorous and informative bi-monthly

The Ecologist Magazine
Issues from the other side of the pond
Ask for Volume 28 no 5

Activists and Legal Eagles:

Center for Media & Democracy
A ribald look at politics and peas

Center for Public Integrity
Information about your elected officials & more

Eco Talk
Green radio from Air America

Environmental Defense
Ethics in action - it really works

Michael Moore
Iconoclastic Genius

Translations from the Can:
Read the Label
DRUG RECALL:
Phenylpropanolamine - The FDA has issued a public health advisory concerning phenylpropanolamine (PPA). It is an ingredient used in many over-the-counter and decongestant prescriptions and in non prescription weight-loss products. Phenylpropanolamine has been linked to bleeding in the brain in women from the age of 18 to 49 usually within three days after taking the medication. FDA has recommended that everyone seek alternative medicines. Consumers should call 800-548-3708 or the 800 number written on the package with the lot number on the box. They will send you postage to return the product back to them, and will also issue you a refund. For more detailed information:

Phenylpropanolamine Information Page http://www.fda.gov/cder/drug/infopage/ppa/default.htm

Sodium Lauryl Sulfate: The primary ingredient in brake fluid. (Found in shampoos, conditioners, liquid hand soap, dishwashing liquids, bath salts, and more.)

Aspartame: Originally developed as a rodent killer by Monsanto. (Found in most diet products, cough syrups, chewing gum, flavored waters, and more.)

Phenylalanine: A naturally occurring amino acid, which when used in the quantities necessary to sweeten your diet product, becomes a neurotoxin which excites the neurons in the brain, to the point of cellular death. (A Component of Aspartame) This substance should never be used if you are pregnant or diabetic.

MSG - (monosodium glutamate) A dangerous slow neurotoxin that is used without disclosure. MSG has been linked to retinal degeneration, neuro-enodocrine disorders, obesity, learning, memory & behavior disorders, stunted growth, hyperglycemia and more. The work of Dr. Peter Spencer suggests that MSG may well be a neurotoxin, responsible for dementia.

There are many aliases for MSG, some of which occur in foods labeled as ORGANIC! Autolyzed yeast, maltodextrin, sodium caseinate, carrageenan, hydrolyzed pea protein, autolyzed yeast and soy sauce are other names for MSG. When inquiring about (MSG) in a product, ask the manufacturer about "free glutamic acid."

DEA - (diethanolamine) A known toxin in industrial application, which has now been proven to cause cancer in rats. Found in shampoos, conditioners, lotions, cosmetics & laundry products, it is listed as Cocamide DEA & Lauramide DEA. Studies have reflected carcinogenic activity linked through skin exposure.

Selenium sulfide - Both the U.S. National Toxicology program and the State of California classify selenium sulfide as a carcinogen (NTP 2002, OEHHA 2004). It is used in one product, Head & Shoulders Dandruff Shampoo, Intensive Treatment, according to an EWG analysis of 7,500 product labels.

Formaldehyde - Used in embalming bodies. Formaldehyde is a probable human carcinogen (IARC 2004, OEHHA 2004, NTP 2002). From an inspection of product labels, we identified formaldehyde in two OPI nail treatment products and in a lotion designed to protect against jellyfish stings bearing the brand name “SafeSea.”

Lead acetate - Although the most notorious health hazard associated with lead acetate is potential harm to a developing brain in babies and young children, it is also considered a carcinogen by the E.U. and the U.S. government's National Toxicology Program (NTP 2002, UNECE 2004). Lead acetate is an ingredient in Grecian Formula 16 hair dye.

Progesterone - Progesterone is a probable human carcinogen, linked in animal studies to tumors of the mammary gland and abnormal growth of reproductive tissues (NTP 2002, OEHHA 2004). It is produced naturally by all mammals and is an approved drug used for treatment of abnormal menstruation and other reproductive problems. It is also an ingredient in 23 cosmetic products in EWG's product database, including ten “menopause creams”, hair thinning serums, and two sunscreens. On labels it is listed as both progesterone and lutein, a common synonym (ChemFinder 2004).

"Federal law does not prohibit the use of carcinogens in cosmetics... As a result, legal action is rare, and cosmetics that pose potential cancer risks remain on the market. Many impurities common to cosmetics are also linked to cancer." - source Environmental Working Group (EWG.org)