In today's Guardian, there is a story about how the food industry is infiltrating the World Health Organization, according to Norbert Hirschhorn, an independent consultant to the WHO. You can read it on line at: http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk_news/story/0,3604,871228,00.html Surprise, surprise, to see that the tobacco industry is hand in hand with the food industry in attempting to exert influence 'on specific WHO/FAO food policies dealing with dietary guidelines, pesticide use, additives, trans-fatty acids and sugar.' Another area in which the tobacco industry's interests coincide with food industry is genetically modified organisms. I see that our major Norwegian domestic pride, Freia Chocolate (their milk chocolate is billed as 'a little bit of Norway') is actually owned by Philip Morris. That should cure the chocoholic in me for good. Consultant Hirschhorn notes that the input of the food industry is needed in the public discussion, but it must be transparent and subject to open debate, while his report shows that industry uses 'front' organizations, funding of NGOs involved in discussions of key issues with WHO/FAO, and placement of scientists favorable to industry, in committees in WHO and FAO. Rachel Myr Kristiansand, Norway *********************************************** To temporarily stop your subscription: set lactnet nomail To start it again: set lactnet mail (or digest) To unsubscribe: unsubscribe lactnet All commands go to [log in to unmask] The LACTNET mailing list is powered by L-Soft's renowned LISTSERV(R) list management software together with L-Soft's LSMTP(TM) mailer for lightning fast mail delivery. For more information, go to: http://www.lsoft.com/LISTSERV-powered.html