Break the Chains of Toxic Pesticides and Child Slavery on Valentine’s Day
By Brennen Shiya on Feb 6, 2010 in General News
Linda’s comment: Were you aware that all those beautiful flowers women get on Valentine’s Day is full of Toxic Pesticides. Most don’t think about buying organic flowers. Between the flowers and the corn syrup in the candy, everyone should have a “toxic” day. I don’t mean to rain on your Valentine Day’s celebration, but things like this needs to be brought to everyone’s attention. Who would have thought??? THEN, you have the “child slavery” used to pick and ship these beautiful flowers….
Break the Chains of Toxic Pesticides and Child Slavery on Valentine’s Day
Now is the time of year when more than 20 million Americans are buying sweets and flowers for their loved ones on Valentine’s Day. Unfortunately, these tokens of love aren’t as sweet or pure as they may appear. Over 40 percent of the world’s conventional chocolate (i.e. non-organic and non-Fair Trade) comes from Africa’s Ivory Coast, where the International Labor Organization and US State Department have reported widespread instances of child slavery. Meanwhile, commercial flowers, most of which are produced in countries such as Colombia, are the most toxic and heavily sprayed agricultural crops on Earth. Supplying the global market, poorly paid workers in Third World countries put in up to 18 hour work days for poverty wages during peak flower buying times such as Valentine’s Day. But don’t let the bad news squelch your Valentine’s plans. Show your love by choosing Fair Trade and organic flowers and chocolate for your Valentine’s Day gifts.
Please send a letter to the editor action exposing toxic pesticides and child slavery in the flower and cacao industries>>>>> http://www.organicconsumers.org/valentines/index.cfm
