"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 that are 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.

Smart Children's Products: Learn about chemicals in children's products that pose health risks. | PDF

Smart Guide on Sludge Use in Food Production: Consumers should choose foods produced without sewage sludge-based fertilizers. | 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

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

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

"Very young children are the most vulnerable [to toxic chemicals] because their bodies and brains are still developing. Their defense mechanisms are immature to defend against toxins."

Hastings Star Gazette | February 28 2008 | David Wallinga, M.D.

Jun. 25: IBM survey finds less than 20% of consumers trust food firms

Jun. 17: American Medical Association Passes Resolution Supporting Sustainable Food System

Jun. 12: The movie Food, Inc. aims to expose dangers in our U.S. food industry

Jun. 11: Antibiotic-resistant bacteria found in fertilizer

Jun. 5: Pesticide May Seed American Infant Formulas with Melamine

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

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