"We work to shift markets and change public policy to support healthier food systems that use less fuel, create less pollution and leave the soil healthier. This kind of agriculture results in safer food, less contaminated with arsenic and other pollutants and with fewer antibiotic-resistant bacteria."

—David Wallinga, M.D.
Director of the Food and Health Program

We work to make food healthier by advocating for more sustainable food production and a less contaminated food supply while supporting family farmers and rural communities. Food accounts for most exposures to many toxic pollutants. Our efforts include protecting a child's first food, breast milk, from toxic contamination.

Choosing Safer, Sustainable Food
We help consumers buy healthier foods, lower in toxic pollutants like dioxins, mercury and flame retardants

Creating Healthier Food
We encourage policymakers and farmers to focus on healthier, more sustainable methods of producing food while reducing toxins.

Factory Farms and Health
An increase in the use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides, and larger indoor animal confinement facilities, is impacting the health of farmers, workers and neighbors.

Antibiotic Overuse in Food Animals
The unnecessary use of antibiotics in food animals harms human health and worsens a global crisis in antibiotic resistance.

Toxic Sludge, Fertilizers
Commercial fertilizers and sludge applied to farmland and home gardens can legally contain toxic contaminants like arsenic and lead.

Environmental Roots of Disease
Farmers and farmworkers are among the most exposed to toxic pollutants that are preventable causes of many diseases.

Farms to Hospitals
Hospitals and physicians are seeking to provide healthier, more sustainable food for patients and staff.

The Eat Well Guide
An online, searchable guide for finding sustainably-raised meat, fish and dairy products at farms, stores and restaurants near you

Playing Chicken: Avoiding Arsenic in Your Meat: Brand name chicken sold in American supermarkets and fast food restaurants are widely contaminated with arsenic. April 5 2006| David Wallinga, M.D./IATP | PDF

Smart Plastics: Making smarter purchasing decisions for plastics. | PDF

Smart Meat and Dairy: Picking safer, sustainable food for healthy children and a healthier environment. | PDF

Smart Produce: Choosing fruits and vegetables to minimize pesticide exposure. | PDF

Smart Fish: A guide for Minnesota moms, moms-to-be and kids under 15. | PDF

Green Chemistry
The revolution is making safer products and protecting human health and the environment.

"The health care costs are really what's breaking the budget for states. What's driving up health care costs are chronic diseases, which, with a few exceptions, are food-related diseases."

Idaho Statesman | November 25 2007 | David Wallinga, M.D.

Nov. 21: Moms for McDonald's

Nov. 19: Some Toys With Banned Plastics Will Stay on Market

Nov. 18: Why eating GM food could lower your fertility

Nov. 17: Our Home-Grown Melamine Problem (Op-Ed)

Nov. 17: Our Home-Grown Melamine Problem

Healthobservatory is IATP's web site for the latest news, reports and analysis on food and health

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