Although the information about the dangers of imported Chinese garlic has been available for at least a decade, the concerns have recently gained more attention – and because we have more reason not to trust China’s motives.
Chinese garlic accounts for over 75% of the world’s garlic supply. It is estimated that the FDA only catches about 2% of imported hazardous produce before it makes its way in to the USA.
Why Chinese Garlic is Bad:
Some countries have virtually no regulations on the use of toxic pesticides and fertilizers used in farming. If that isn’t scary enough, the food handling safety, sanitation and hygiene regulations in those same countries are even worse.
Imported garlic is often grown in sewage water and human sewage COMMONLY used as an inexpensive fertilizer. And garlic is grown IN the soil, not on top of it!
The EGGS of parasitic worms (tapeworms, flatworms, and roundworms) CAN SURVIVE in untreated or partially treated human waste and promote transmission of human parasites. (source)
Mary’s Heirloom Seeds has written a well-researched article about the disgusting things done to the Chinese garlic we end up eating – including the fact that it:
1. is sprayed with chemicals to prevent sprouting
2. is bleached with chlorine to make it look pure white, and
3. by law, must be fumigated with methyl bromide
4. is raised in filthy conditions, often with slave labor
5. may be sterilized with Gamma radiation to prevent bulbs from losing weight or from rotting
Sen. Rick Scott has been exposing this. See ‘Sewage Garlic Grown in Communist China Has No Place in American Grocery Stores‘
Imported garlic often tests positive for toxic chemicals, pathogens and heavy metals including: lead, arsenic, chlorine, methyl bromide, melamine, E Coli, and the list goes on.
*This applies not only to raw garlic, but also to bottled garlic powder and garlic oil.
*Check your spices (including ORGANIC garlic and spices) and processed sauces!
Related: Heavy Metals Found In 20+Very Popular Spice Brands: See Which Ones
How can I tell the difference between US grown garlic and garlic imported from China?
This is a picture of garlic grown in the US.
How To Identify Garlic Imported From China:
Lack of roots. Garlic bulbs with roots scooped off the bottom (leaving a clean concave) are Chinese. The scooping lowers the weight and thus the shipping costs, but it also removes contaminated soil, required by U.S. law. This is not a requirement for US garlic farmers so they often leave the roots attached.
Lack of soil stains. It is completely naturally for garlic to have soil stains. Imported garlic is heavily bleached to remove soil stains and has an unnaturally white color.
Sprouting. Garlic bulbs naturally sprout and will sometimes grow little green shoots. Again, the heavy bleaching of imported garlic will stunt or kill the garlic and prevent this from occurring. If there are shoots coming from the top of the bulb, you are good to go.
Weight. By the time garlic from China makes its way to US supermarkets, much of the water has evaporated making it lighter and less firm than US garlic. Check for weight and density.
Taste. Imported garlic has a more metallic and bitter taste due to a lower concentration of allicin and higher concentration of chemicals and heavy metals.
Excerpts from AgentNateur and Mary’s Heirloom Seeds.
I wish we could trust the “decision makers” in our food system to choose what is best for consumer and not what is best for a company’s “bottom line.” I do believe that Trader Joe’s said “NO” to garlic from China years ago, but it is worth verifying that and telling corporate that we DO NOT want garlic grown in China – or any other products from China for that matter.
Growing our own food is one of many ways we fight the corrupt food system.
If you value homegrown, quality food, simply grow your own garlic. It is SO quick and easy and there are essentially NO pests to worry about. You’ll never have to buy garlic again if you keep a few un-sprayed whole bulbs from your latest harvest and replant the individual cloves for the next crop! Come on – I’ll teach you how! Check out my Complete Guide to Planting, Growing and Harvesting Garlic.
***For the Full Spike Protein Protocol to protect from transmission from the “V” and to help those who took the “V”, go here.
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