Supporting Free Range Pig Farming

Free range farming has been a topic of controversy for years worldwide and particularly in Australia. I believe it is important to know that the animals you consume have been produced as naturally as possible. Free range pigs are more popular than ever, as many companies are no longer using gestation crates or sow stalls to grow their meat.

First of all, sow stalls are controversial as consumers are more aware of where their products are coming from. The sow stalls are usually tiny, constraining the pigs so they cannot walk anywhere. This results in joint damage, inability to stand and urinary tract infections because the pigs are confined to the firm floor (not even straw is laid beneath the animals). It causes permanent stress on the animals, building up toxins in their systems which humans consequently eat. 

Photo from: http://www.catcahelpanimals.org/26.html

Watch this video below to see the process of free range farming of pigs:

The main attraction to free range meat is that the animals can spend their lives living on the natural land, displaying characteristics and instincts not possible in crates or sheds. It makes the consumer happier to consume their meat, knowing it had a good life. The pigs get to graze all day in the pastures, absorb the sunlight and have a stress free life. Free range is of course more expensive, as less animals are grown however we do not consume the toxins produced by stress, the animal lives a great life and we then eat tastier meat.

Photo from: http://www.rightonsofshipston.co.uk/contentok.php?id=443

The Australian Pork Industry has planned to gradually ban sow stalls by 2017 due to animal welfare issues. Nonetheless, this does not mean all pigs will be free range so it is important to support the free range farmers. Next time you are at the supermarket make sure you look out for this Humane Choice Symbol as it is the only official certification of free range meat:

Until next time,

Keep loving the green life

Avoiding Palm Oil

The first topic I want to blog about is about how to avoid palm oil. Most people have probably heard about palm oil and have even learnt about the devastation it causes on the environment and orangutans but still consume it on a daily basis without knowing. Palm oil is used on over 50% of products on the market and is normally not listed as 'palm oil' under ingredients. It is in foods, cleaning products, cosmetics and numerous other products.

Picture from: http://www.commercialpressuresonland.org/press/cheerios-maker-linked-rainforest-destruction

Palm oil is mainly produced in Indonesia and Malaysia after vast amounts of rainforest are cleared and enormous palm oil fields are grown. In the picture below is an orangutan who's home has been destroyed. He is a lucky survivor as he was tranquillised and relocated away from the palm oil plantation. But there are thousands and thousands of orangutans who die each year due to the palm oil industry.

Picture from: http://keriruri.wordpress.com/2010/05/13/rainforests-labyrinths-of-life/

Here are just a few products that contain palm oil and to avoid:

• Arnott's (including Shapes, Tim Tams, Wagon Wheels and Tiny Teddies)
• Kraft (including Easy Mac, Peanut Butter, Oreos and Ritz crackers)
• Mars (including M&Ms, Maltesers, Extra Gum, Skittles)
• Uncle Toby's (including Fruit Rollups, LeSnack, Muesli Bars)
• General Mills (Old El Paso products, Cheerios, Betty Crocker products)
• Colgate products
• Palmolive products
• Heinz beans
• Avon
• L'Oreal
• Maybelline 
• Schmackos, Pedigree, Royal Canin, Whiskas, Advance dog foods

Picture from: http://ecoempire.org/tag/palm-oil/

So how do you know if palm oil is in the products you are purchasing? You will need to read the label to identify whether it is used or not. Here are only a few names that palm oil can be listed as:

• Vegetable Oil
• Vegetable Fat
• Palmate
• Stearic Acid
• Elaeis Guineensis (in cosmetics)
• Palm Kernel Oil

To stop supporting palm oil industry, you should aim to avoid any products that use palm oil. This will minimise the demand for palm oil. You will not only feel good about supporting this cause but you will most likely reduce the amount of junk food you eat. Here is a great website where you can donate, adopt or volunteer to help conquer the palm oil industry:

http://www.saynotopalmoil.com/how-to-help.php

Until next time,

Keep loving the green life