VRG-NEWS: The Vegetarian Resource Group Newsletter
Volume 15, Issue 2
February 2011, Part 2

CONTENTS

  1. PASSOVER BOOK DEAL
  2. VEGAN RECIPES FROM EGYPT
  3. USDA BIO-BASED LABEL: NEWEST ECO-LABEL FOR NON-FOOD PRODUCTS
  4. A SWISS COMPANY WRITES...HOW CAN ZEIN BE APPROVED FOR FOOD USE IN THE EUROPEAN UNION? WHAT ARE E NUMBERS?
  5. VRG IN THE NEWS
  6. DISASTER PLANNING FOR VEGETARIANS
  7. TOP RESTAURANT CHAINS FOR VEGETARIANS & VEGANS
  8. VEGAN CAMPING FOODS FOR THE WINTER
  9. VRG REFERENCED BY FOOD AND NUTRITION BOARD
  10. 10 YEAR ANNIVERSARY OF THE SPECIES LIST FOREST
  11. About The Vegetarian Resource Group
  12. About VRG-NEWS

1) PASSOVER BOOK DEAL

We are offering 2 great Passover books for the low price of $12! This special offer includes both No Cholesterol Passover Recipes [ http://www.vrg.org/catalog/passover.htm ] by Debra Wasserman and Vegan Passover Recipes [ http://www.vrg.org/catalog/vegpass.htm ] by Chef Nancy Berkoff, EdD, RD with shipping included! Please note that free shipping applies only in the United States; for destinations outside the U.S., shipping charges still apply.

We accept VISA, MasterCard, and checks made payable to VRG. Maryland residents: please add 6% tax to your total.

ONLINE: [ http://www.vrg.org/catalog/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=1&products_id=26 ]

PHONE: Call the VRG office at (410) 366-8343 M-F 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. EST.

MAIL: Mail payment to The Vegetarian Resource Group, P.O. Box 1463, Baltimore, MD 21203.

2) VEGAN RECIPES FROM EGYPT

Introduction

Being raised in an Egyptian family, I soon found out that food was of tremendous importance in our culture. Social and family gatherings were centered around large amounts and various types of food. I found the dishes my mother and grandmothers would prepare quite flavorful and grew up always adding lots of spices to whatever I ate. Spices common to Egyptian foods include cumin, garlic, onion, and allspice, and the list goes on and on.

Click here [ http://www.vrg.org/recipes/egypt.htm ] to read the full article.

3) USDA BIO-BASED LABEL: NEWEST ECO-LABEL FOR NON-FOOD PRODUCTS

by Jeanne Yacoubou, MS
VRG Research Director

Announced in the Federal Register in January 2011, the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) will begin the voluntary Bio-Based Label program "to boost demand for products made from renewable commodities and support green jobs." Agriculture Deputy Secretary Kathleen Merrigan states that bio-based products "have enormous potential to create green jobs in rural communities, add value to agricultural commodities, decrease environmental impacts, and reduce our dependence on imported oil."

With this third-party certification (by ASTM International) and labeling program, similar in design to the USDA Certified Organic Label program, the USDA launches the second part of its BioPreferred Program (instituted by the 2002 Farm Bill), from federal procurement employees ordering preferred, sustainable products for government agencies to all consumers and commercial markets (as specified in the 2008 Farm Bill). USDA Bio-Based labels should appear on store products, including lip balm, household cleaners, sheets and towels, by Spring 2011. Readers may learn more about the BioPreferred Program at [ http://www.biopreferred.gov ].

According to a USDA press release, "bio-based products are those composed wholly or significantly of biological ingredients -- renewable plant, animal, marine or forestry materials." Originally 51% was the minimum amount allowed for certification. It has been changed to 25%, which, according to the USDA, might be increased in the future, just as the permissible percentage of organic ingredients in a product labeled as "USDA Certified Organic" has risen. The percentage of bio-based ingredients in the product is indicated on the label in a prominent place, aiding consumers to make informed purchasing choices. The label will also specify whether it is the product, packaging or both that are certified as bio-based. Readers may view a sample label at [ http://www.biopreferred.com ]. To view the entire Final Rule in the Federal Register: [ http://www.biopreferred.gov/files/BP_Label_Final_Rule_01_20_11.pdf ]

Products with a historically high bio-based percentage (set at pre-1972, according to the USDA), such as paper plates, wood furniture, and cotton T-shirts, are not eligible to display the new label.

Whether a life cycle assessment (LCA), tracing all environmental costs and benefits from a product's incipience to the end of its useful life, should be required for bio-based products is still being debated. To date, no LCAs are required in order to label a product as "USDA Bio-Based" although initially in the BioPreferred Program, they were. The lack of this requirement has raised concern among some environmental groups, fearing that the new label adds to confusion about the meaning of "sustainable" versus "natural" or "biological" (i.e., non-petroleum based) products. The USDA states in its Federal Register announcement that it "is currently continuing its efforts to formulate a final decision on any requirements to perform LCA analyses on products in conjunction with the BioPreferred Program." Final decisions will be published in the Federal Register.

4) A SWISS COMPANY WRITES...HOW CAN ZEIN BE APPROVED FOR FOOD USE IN THE EUROPEAN UNION? WHAT ARE E NUMBERS?

by Jeanne Yacoubou, MS VRG Research Director

A Swiss company that buys and sells raw materials intended for food use in the European Union (EU) recently wrote The VRG asking about getting the corn protein, zein, approved for food use in the EU. The VRG recently wrote an article on zein: [ http://www.vrg.org/blog/2010/12/13/zein-used-for-shellac-biodegradable-coatings-diapers%E2%80%A6/ ] Because zein is currently considered a value-added co-product of bioethanol production, new food as well as industrial uses for zein are being actively pursued by several American companies.

In the United States, zein has GRAS status (Generally Recognized as Safe) for food use by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The analogous agency in the EU, the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA), would be responsible for giving food use status to zein, after conducting a review of zein's safety usually after a petition by a company or organization requesting that zein be extended such status.

If deemed safe for food use, zein could be used in foods manufactured in the EU and sold there or to non-European countries. Zein would be given an "E number" ("E" stands for "Europe"): a number code for food additives approved for use in the EU. E numbers appear frequently on food labels in the EU and increasingly, though still infrequently, on North American packaging.

Several hundred substances have E numbers. Shellac, for example, which was replaced by zein for a short period in the mid-20th century in the United States when shellac was in short supply, is identified as "E904." E numbers may have a pejorative connotation in some European countries with respect to certain artificial food additives (such as artificial colors), but E numbers apply to ingredients such as vitamin C, lecithin, and pectin which are naturally found in many types of foods and have GRAS status.

For more information about ingredients, see [ http://www.vrg.org/ingredients/index.php ]

To support VRG's ingredient research, donate at [ https://www.givedirect.org/give/givefrm.asp?CID=1565 ] or [ http://www.vrg.org/catalog/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=4 ]

5) VRG IN THE NEWS

A selection of news articles from the last few days that we've been featured in:

Vegetarians, vegans face special challenges when traveling [ http://travel.usatoday.com/experts/grossman/story/2011/02/Vegetarians-vegans-face-special-challenges-while-traveling/43424038/1 ] (USA Today)

6 Things Oprah Viewers Should Know About Veganism [ http://www.huffingtonpost.com/kathy-stevens/6-things-oprah-viewers-sh_b_816229.html?ir=Green ] (Kathy Stevens, Huffington Post)

Is it healthy for my 12-year old to be a vegetarian? [ http://www.theglobeandmail.com/life/health/ask-a-health-expert/ask-a-pediatrician/is-it-healthy-for-my-12-year-old-to-be-a-vegetarian/article1891696/ ] (The Globe and Mail)

6) DISASTER PLANNING FOR VEGETARIANS

It may be a blizzard in the Northeastern US or a hurricane in the South, a tornado in the Midwest or an earthquake in the West. It may be a wild fire, an oil spill or even terrorism. Suddenly you're left without electricity and possibly without safe water. The stove, freezer, refrigerator, microwave, and toaster oven aren't working. Grocery stores are closed or may not have much on the shelves. Many groups have recommendations aimed at helping the general public cope with these kinds of disasters. They call for use of foods like canned tuna, canned meat, and powdered milk. What about vegetarians? What sort of plans should we make?

This is an excerpt of an article by Reed Mangels, PhD, RD, updated Feb., 2011 by Corey Bivins. Click here to read the entire article [ http://www.vrg.org/nutshell/disaster.htm ]

7) TOP RESTAURANT CHAINS FOR VEGETARIANS & VEGANS

In our ongoing reader's poll which asks "What is your favorite restaurant chain for vegan and vegetarian options?", the top choices currently are:

  1. Chipotle
  2. Taco Bell
  3. Qdoba Mexican Grill
  4. Souplantation/Sweet Tomatoes
  5. P.F. Chang's China Bistro
  6. Subway
  7. Panera Bread
  8. Noodles & Company

Click here [ http://www.vrg.org/restaurant/top_restaurant_chains.php ] to vote for your favorite, view current poll results, and more!

8) VEGAN CAMPING FOODS FOR THE WINTER

By Reed Mangels, PhD, RD

Question: I'm going on an overnight winter camping trip with my college's outings club and need to come up with a vegan high calorie alternative to the planned dinner -- pasta with broccoli and cheese.The leader says the cheese will be added after the pasta is cooked.Any other ideas for high calorie foods? -- I know I need a lot of calories to help me stay warm and because it's a pretty strenuous hike.

Answer: Dinner is easy - pack some peanut butter, mix with a little hot water, season with a pinch of pepper or other spice and mix it with your pasta and broccoli. You could also pack a commercial peanut or satay sauce (check for milk or fish ingredients). If you'd like, mix some chickpeas or other canned beans in with the pasta. For a winter trip, assuming it's pretty cold outside, you can drain canned chickpeas before leaving and pack them in a light-weight plastic container. They should keep for the one night you'll be out.

Here are some ideas for high calorie foods you can keep in an accessible pocket in your backpack or parka: trail mix (your favorite nuts, dried fruits, and chocolate or carob chips), vegan energy bars or dark chocolate bars, peanut butter and cracker sandwiches, a bagel or two, a thermos of vegan hot chocolate.

Bring packets of instant oatmeal and dried fruit for an easy breakfast and dehydrated hummus or black bean dip (just mix with hot water) for lunch (with crackers, pita, or bagels). Peanut butter or other nut butter sandwiches also are easy and filling.

Other articles that may be of interest:

Alternatives to Meat for a Typical Camp Menu [ http://www.vrg.org/journal/vj2010issue1/2010_issue1_vegan_camp_menu.php ]

Vegetarian Menus for Scout Jamboree [ http://www.vrg.org/blog/2010/10/29/vegetarian-menus-for-scout-jamboree/ ]

9) VRG REFERENCED BY FOOD AND NUTRITION BOARD

In the new Dietary Reference Intakes for Calcium and Vitamin D [ http://www.nap.edu/catalog.php?record_id=13050 ] developed by the National Academy of Science, published in 2011 by the National Academies Press, the VRG website [ http://www.vrg.org ] is identified as the source of information on how many people in the U.S. are vegetarian (page 420). The American Dietetic Association position paper on vegetarianism co-authored by Reed Mangels is also cited. See [ http://books.nap.edu/openbook.php?record_id=13050&page=420 ]

10) 10 YEAR ANNIVERSARY OF THE SPECIES LIST FOREST

Saturday, June 18 — 2:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.
At Crafts' historic farm, Conway, MA USA.
Please email [email protected] if you plan to attend.

Picnic with vegan food provided.

Return the forest. Return of the natural landscape.

This year we celebrate ten years of the forest. Dick Stafursky, a biologist, though unemployed at the time, gave away all his inheritance. There are no trails, nor are there plans to design any. Also, there are no WSL buildings near or on the site. It is open to the public for walking only. The DROP plan is used to return these acres to the natural landscape in perpetuity. Species List Forest, Conway, Massachusetts, USA Contact: Richard Stafursky 802-258-7845 World Species List - Natural Features Registry Institute, 155 Belmont Ave., Brattleboro, VT USA, (802) 257-9158, a 501(c)(3), conservation, charitable organization, [ http://wslfconwaymausa.blogspot.com ], EIN 51-0381202.

ABOUT THE VEGETARIAN RESOURCE GROUP

Our health professionals, activists, and educators work with businesses and individuals to bring about healthful changes in your school, workplace, and community. Registered dietitians and physicians aid in the development of nutrition-related publications and answer member and media questions about vegetarian diets. The Vegetarian Resource Group is a non-profit organization. Financial support comes primarily from memberships, donations, bequests, and book sales. The Vegetarian Journal, a print magazine, is a benefit of membership in The VRG. (For more information, please see the Vegetarian Journal online.)

If you would like to make a donation, become a member, volunteer, or find out more about The VRG, contact us at:

The Vegetarian Resource Group P.O. Box 1463 Baltimore, MD 21203 Phone: (410) 366-8343 Fax: (410) 366-8804 E-mail: [email protected] Website: [ http://www.vrg.org ] Donate: [ https://www.givedirect.org/give/givefrm.asp?Action=GC&CID=1561 ]

The contents of this newsletter, and our other publications, including Vegetarian Journal, are not intended to provide personal medical advice. Medical advice should be obtained from a qualified health professional. We often depend on product and ingredient information from company statements. It is impossible to be 100% sure about a statement, info can change, people have different views, and mistakes can be made. Please use your own best judgment about whether a product is suitable for you. To be sure, do further research or confirmation on your own.

ABOUT VRG-NEWS

VRG-NEWS is the e-mail newsletter of The Vegetarian Resource Group. This is an announcement list so subscriber messages are not accepted by the list. If you have a technical question about the list, please contact us at [email protected]. If you have any suggestions, ideas, or corrections to VRG-NEWS, please direct them to [email protected]. Thanks!

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Contents of VRG-NEWS are copyright 2011 by The Vegetarian Resource Group. The newsletter may be freely distributed in electronic or print form provided its contents are not altered and credit is given to The Vegetarian Resource Group, P.O. Box 1463, Baltimore, MD 21203.