How much glyphosate is in your snack? ZEGO is going to tell you.

by Colleen | Jul 28, 2018 | Colleen's blog, ZEGO in the News | 0 comments

You may have seen a lot in the news about glyphosate lately, the most common herbicide in the world, used in products like Roundup by Monsanto. Earlier this year the World Health Organization issued a strong defense of its classification of the chemical as a “probable carcinogen,” and there is a landmark case in the news this summer in California (one of 4000 pending cases) concerning a school groundskeeper who claims glyphosate caused his non-Hodgkins lymphoma. Yikes. Does exposure to glyphosate cause cancer? Did Monsanto know about the risk and deliberately mislead the public? How much exposure is dangerous?

While the U.S. courts and scientists consider these questions, we believe consumers should be able to decide for themselves if they want to eat foods that have glyphosate in them. Problem is, very few food companies test for the chemical and virtually no one releases that data to the public. So, it’s most likely that not only do you not know if it is in your favorite foods, neither does the company who made it for you.

At ZEGO, we believe in giving consumers control over what they eat. We established our Z-CODE food safety system combining lab testing, transparent labeling and batch level communication through packaging technology to inform their choice. Before going into that, let’s learn a bit more about glyphosate.

Why Is Glyphosate a Concern?

Some studies have found glyphosate may be correlated with a number of health problems from endocrine disruption to shorter pregnancies and lower birth weight of infants to celiac-type symptoms in fish. Add that to the numerous cancer lawsuits that claim Monsanto knew the chemical was a health hazard and hid it from the public and that has a lot of people concerned. The problem is, that if you are a consumer who wants to limit your exposure to this chemical, your options are limited.

Can You Be Glyphosate-Free?

Can you live a glyphosate-free lifestyle? Probably not, sorry. Avoiding glyphosate is not as simple as staying away from herbicides on your yard. Studies have measured it in rainwater, air and soil samples. The other studies found it in surprising amounts in a number of everyday foods that you may have in your cabinets at home, ranging from organic coffee creamer to cereal to chips. It may have been used on the cotton in your clothing. But the problem is not just how commonly used it is, it is that you do not have access to data that would tell you if a product has glyphosate residue in it and how much. That is what we at ZEGO would like to change because we believe you have the right to know what is in your food, even if it is not required to be stated on the label.

How Is ZEGO Making a Difference?

If you are a long-time customer, you know that in addition to producing our products in a top eight allergen and gluten-free facility, we also send out each batch for independent lab testing for peanut, soy, dairy, and gluten. We connect that data to the product in your hand through the QR code on the package. Building on that, we are now periodically testing for glyphosate and posting the results as well. With one scan, you can see all five test results.

You may have heard of blockchain in regard to Bitcoin and crypto currency. Our patent-pending Z-CODE system is a tailored blockchain, adapted to be easy and quick to execute for the company and more relevant to most people on a daily basis. Its a system for collecting and distributing food safety data that reliably provides information about a packaged food batch to the consumer. For the company, the system provides reliable data on and accountability for the purity of the ingredients it buys and its factory’s manufacturing process. There is technology involved in the testing and communication system but no encryption as with Bitcoin. The time and expense of encryption would make it untenable to implement this system in the short term and possibly at all. What is revolutionary about ZEGO’s Z-CODE system is that it can be replicated in a matter of months by any company that cares enough about its consumers, its products, and its reputation to do it.

And, if more companies adopt the Z-CODE system, we will have a network of data that, together, could serve as a measurement of crop health across the food chain and serve as a roadmap for improving it. It is in the sharing of this data among companies where the encryption would be most helpful because a company may not be willing to publicly share undesirable test results unless it is assured it cannot be linked to the data. Otherwise, it will keep the information close to the chest and work out the problem internally. But it is the collection and analysis of the aggregate data that would be most helpful to all of us, answering questions like which supply chains for certain crops have more glyphosate than others? Is a particular supplier selling ingredients that, known or unknown to them, is contaminated with ground peanuts? Which suppliers are passing off ingredients fraudulently labeled non GMO and organic?

Another beauty of our Z-CODE system is the benefits for consumers and companies start immediately for verifying our suppliers’ organic and non-GMO certifications, which are particularly vulnerable to fraud. In our first round of tests, we found high levels of glyphosate in one organic spice we wanted to use. We reported the test to the supplier so they could fix the problem, and then switched to another brand whose product tested clean. Imagine how quickly we could clean our supply chain if 10,000 companies had a similar story to tell? So while the U.S. courts, politicians and scientists debate the safety of glyphosate and business executives and technology experts grapple with encryption and whether it can be built into the food chain affordably, we hope other companies act now and start testing and reporting like we do.

We have reason to be optimistic! Scott Elaine Wright-Case, co-founder of a successful food venture capital fund called VMG, applauded ZEGO’s action as, “a bold move that brings blockchain verification to packaged food. This is exactly the type of innovative transparency consumers and investors have been clamoring for in the clean food movement.”

How Can You Minimize Your Exposure to Glyphosate?

Unfortunately, right now, there are no regulations requiring companies to test or reveal their testing results for glyphosate. But there are things that you can do.

• Email the companies you buy most often from and ask them for the same blockchain testing and transparency ZEGO provides for glyphosate, allergens, and gluten.
• Buy organic and non-GMO certified products when you can, particularly if they are made from wheat, corn, cotton, soy, canola oil and sugar beets. One 2014 study by the Journal of Environmental Research showed going organic for a week reduced exposure to chemicals by 90%.
• Use the “dirty dozen” list for produce while you shop. This list by The Environmental Working Group measures a number of chemicals. Keep it on your phone.
• Read more about glyphosate at The Detox Project and about how you can get tested to find out how much glyphosate you have been exposed to. Soon they will also have an in-home test you can use on your food and water. Share the information with friends and family (in a nice, not scary, not preachy way).
• Contact your representatives at the state and federal level. Let them know that you care about labeling transparency and want the FDA to release its glyphosate findings.
• Buy ZEGO products! We know, we know, but we had to throw that in there. We are a small independently owned company, and your support is critical to our success.
• Talk to your local store. If store managers know that you care, they will pay attention.

The biggest boost to the non-GMO labeling movement was when Whole Foods heard from so many customers concerned about GMOs that it required all its vendors become non-GMO certified. The level of consumer awareness is not quite there yet with glyphosate, but we will get there faster with your help!

Thank you to Food Democracy Now, The Detox Project and Environmental Working Group for their reporting on this issue, much of which we used in this blog.

Colleen Kavanagh is the founder and CEO of ZEGO.  After a career in public policy working to improve nutrition for low-income children, she started ZEGO to provide superfood based snacks for people who need to restrict their diets to be healthy. ZEGO is a certified B Corporation, and is working to bring transparency to the supply chain to improve food safety and nutrition for all.

Surviving the Summer with Food Allergies

by Colleen | Jun 8, 2018 | Colleen's blog, ZEGO in the News | 0 comments

Surviving summer with food allergies brings up some unique challenges, but it also can be a time for some amazing family fun. I want to share some of our favorite allergy-friendly summer camps, tips for handling playdates with friends who might not know about your child’s allergies, and ideas for recipes and summer fun activities! And, read on to find out how to enter ZEGO’s great summer fun giveaway starting June 21 with $250 worth of ZEGO and other allergy friendly products!

Summer Camp

For many people growing up, summer camp, or sleep-away camp, is a summer tradition, but what if you have food allergies? 

The good news is that there are some camps that cater to people with food allergies, the bad new is that there aren’t a lot. We donate bars to camps each year including Camp TAG and Blue Spruce and hope even more allergy safe camps will open. FARE also has a great list available to help you find an allergy safe camp near you. But realistically, most of you will need to see if you can make a regular camp allergy safe for your child.

The key is to really understand how the camp handles its food. Some people will say, “Sure! We can make food for food allergy kids,” but they don’t understand what that really means. Before sending your child to camp, ask them questions about how they handle allergies.  Here is a list of questions to get you started:

• What percentage of your campers have food allergies?
• Are your cooks and all kitchen staff food allergy trained? If so, how?
• What are your protocols if a child does have an allergic reaction? Has that ever happened at your camp?
• What is the policy about other campers bringing snacks and food with them?
• Who keeps track of which child has which allergies at the camp? How do they manage that information?
• Are you ever in places that are not accessible to mobile signal for hikes, etc.? What are your protocols for that?

FARE has great resources on how to make camp safe, so be sure to check their website for more suggestions.

Trips to the Beach, Hiking, and other Outdoor Adventures

Another part of surviving summer with food allergies is being prepared with healthy options so you can enjoy all the new activities. You’ll need things that won’t get crushed in your pocket or backpack as well as items that will turn your “free continental breakfast” from a source of sorrow to a source of excitement!

ZEGO bars are great for hiking and water activities because of their water-tight packaging and un-crushable soft texture. They also have the advantage of not melting on hot days. If you are looking for an allergy safe alternative to traditional trail mix with wholesome organic ingredients, then our new Mix-Ins have you covered! Mix-Ins are our brand new product that is a delicious blend of seeds and dried fruit.  They are free of the top 14 allergens, gluten-free, vegan, and make an excellent grab and go option. Our packaging is corn-free as well. If you are part of a scouting organization, or other group activity, suggest Mix-Ins instead of trail mix for those groups as well so that you don’t have to worry about cross contamination. It is even priced the same as traditional organic nut-based trail mix, so it should be an easy switch for everyone to make! 

If you have dietary restrictions, Continental breakfasts can be a frustrating way to start your day. Turn that frown up-side-down by bringing Mix-Ins with you! Sprinkle them on whatever base you can have — cereal, oatmeal, yogurt, toast with a nut or seed spread — or just eat them straight out of the bag with fruit. You’ll get a gourmet, delicious breakfast instead of a bowl of sadness.

Bonus: make sure you like our Facebook and Instagram because we are going to be doing a giveaway of a tote bag full of ZEGO snacks, Mix-Ins, a water bottle, COOLA sunscreen, vitamins, and more starting on June 21! We will announce all the details then.

Keeping the Kids Busy

Now to keep the kids busy with fun summer activities! Programs at the park, gymnastics day camp, soccer skills clinics are all great opportunities to have another talk with your child about self-advocating, what to do if they have a reaction, and helping them feel confident in themselves. At school, there are usually teachers and other adults to help them, so summer may present their first opportunity to strengthen their self-advocacy skills without significant adult oversite. Of course, having a laminated card with all the essential information about their allergies is always a good idea, for kids and adults alike. 

Playdates at your house are another summer essential. That requires planned activities (lest the activity becomes painting your toilet with fingernail polish while you think to yourself, “the kids are being so quite, I wonder if I should check on them …”). One thing our family has always loved is having fun in the kitchen together baking and cooking (in fact, you will find a whole section on our website of recipes created by my daughter Kelsey). Kids love when they can make delicious foods that are safe for them to eat. And, it can be a fun way to involve their friends in the conversation about safe foods, cross-contamination, and food preparation. 

We put together some easy, fun recipes for you to use with our Mix-Ins. Mix-ins make a great addition to so many treats — from cookies to pancakes to granola brittle. Yes, I said brittle (YUM)! Download our FREE Mix-In cookbook full of recipes and ideas here. The nice thing about using Mix-Ins is that they make the most simple recipe seem gourmet, turning the every day baking into special occasion baking.

What Are Your Favorite Summer with Food Allergies Tips?

Now we want to hear from you–what are your favorite summer tips, activities, and strategies? Do you know of other allergy friendly summer camps that aren’t on the FARE list? Parents newly dealing with food allergies will benefit from your wisdom and experience!

Colleen Kavanagh is the founder and CEO of ZEGO.  After a career in public policy working to improve nutrition for low-income children, she started ZEGO to provide superfood based snacks for people dealing with multiple food allergies.  ZEGO is a certified B Corporation, and is working to bring transparency to the supply chain to improve food safety for all.

Seize the Opportunity in Food Allergy and Celiac Awareness this Month

by Colleen | May 11, 2018 | Colleen's blog, ZEGO in the News | 0 comments

Food Allergy Awareness Week (May 13-19) and Celiac Awareness Month are both happening in May. This is a great opportunity to have conversations with friends, family, school, and others so they can better understand the whole of these medical issues, and see them as as something bigger than just your or your child’s personal diet or disease. Understanding builds compassion. So, how do you make the most of the opportunity? What I find works best when I am working with a buyer for a store who is skeptical of the prevalence and seriousness of these diseases is data. Here are some numbers I find particularly helpful.

Food Allergies

Many of us have heard that food allergies affect at least two children in every classroom in the U.S. That’s a fairly old number by now (2009) but it’s still useful until we get an update from CDC. A more recent study shows hospitalizations for food allergy reactions have increased 400% in the last decade, suggesting that old 2 in every classroom number is likely much higher today. Still, there are many people who have relatively little interaction with people with allergies who doubt their validity because they have never heard these numbers. I don’t really blame them, it’s a lack of education and exposure to the issue–after all, food allergies have risen from relative obscurity to being fairly common in their lifetime. And, yet, they still may not know anyone personally with allergies. And, because allergies can be deadly, those with them are deadly serious about the issue. Passionate Cross Fitters and vegans have nothing on an allergy mom!

Looking back to the 1980s, the landscape for food allergies looked very different. As published in Allergology International Journal:

“In the early 1980s…food allergy was less prevalent, there was little public awareness of the problem, most clinicians were highly skeptical of the diagnosis, and there was little active research going on, primarily because many investigators did not consider the field to be “a real science.”’

This may help explain why some people, particularly people over the age of 50, are skeptical of these allergies. But by sharing these numbers and acknowledging that allergies have risen like an epidemic may help them hear you.

The good news is that over the last couple decades, work by organizations like FARE, FAACT, Food Allergy Awareness Week, and Turn It Teal have started to make the discussion about food allergies and understanding how to prevent potentially deadly anaphylactic reactions more mainstream topics.  More schools are going nut-free, improvements are being made in food labeling, and more foods & recipes are available for those with food allergies.

Image from FARE

Food Allergy and Celiac Awareness

Since Celiac Awareness Month and Food Allergy Awareness Week are in the same month, it is a great opportunity to talk about their similarities and differences–confusing the two can have results ranging from mildly annoying to deadly. Simply put, they are both autoimmune diseases that require changes in diet. Neither one has a “cure” and both involve avoidance of the trigger foods. For some unfortunate Celiacs, avoiding the trigger food (gluten) doesn’t stop the symptoms.

It’s important to point out that the reactions are very different–they don’t compete for severity, both are serious and need to be treated that way. Both can be deadly, but Celiac is slowly through malnutrition or correlated diseases like cancer, while food allergy reactions can come on very quickly and be deadly within a very short period of time.

Because of this, some people don’t see Celiac as needing to follow a strict diet, including Celiac’s themselves. You may see Celiacs cheating from time to time or not worrying about cross contact (not me, I’m super strict). While it’s true your Celiac nephew won’t run to the hospital with a small exposure to gluten, over the long term it is very important he stick to his diet or he could die younger than expected from medical conditions linked to the disease. Another confusing thing to help people understand is that Celiac has over 300 documented symptoms. One person may have dermatitis, another gut, and another psychological consequences to eating gluten. As an example, I was diagnosed as Celiac at 15 but when I got to college, I decided that because I wasn’t having reactions when I drank beer, that meant I had outgrown it (you don’t outgrow Celiac but I was hoping to buck the odds). After three years, I started having severe bone pain and my bones were very brittle and weak. After a scan and new endoscopy, I finally embraced my disease and got serious about the diet. It’s no wonder my friends were confused when I suddenly became adamantly gluten free even though I didn’t look any different.

Another thing that many people do not understand is exactly what gluten is, because it is a protein found in several foods like wheat and barley, not the entire grain. FDA guidelines require that food cannot have more than 20ppm of gluten cross contact to be labeled gluten-free (that is 20 parts per kilogram of food). But companies are not required to test at regular intervals so gluten can sneak in along the supply chain and show up in these products (as happened with Cheerios years ago–if you have a reaction to a product labelled “gluten free,” be sure to email the manufacturer to let them know. If they are not regularly testing, you may be the only way they find out.)

How to Raise Food Allergy and Celiac Safety

The old standard for a product being safe for people with allergies and celiac was that if the facility it was made in did not deliberately bring in the banned foods, the product was assumed safe. That was as good as we could do for a long time and is still what 90% of companies use. But ZEGO wants to bring food safety into the 21st century because, in an era where you can check your emails on your watch and see a picture of the farmer who grew the food you are eating, you should be able to get batch level data on the safety of packaged food. So that is what we do at ZEGO. We test each batch for cross contact at the end of our process and connect the results to every package through its QR code. We advocate all companies should be doing this, not just “allergy free” companies.

But ZEGO can’t change food safety alone, we need the entire industry to adopt this standard. That’s where we need your help! If you let other food companies know that these kinds of results and labeling are important to you and your family, they will adopt this higher standard too. If every food allergic person  took 15 minutes to email their three favorite companies to ask them to test and report, we could change the entire food industry and make batch level transparency the new standard!

How to Get Kids Involved

Food Allergy and Celiac Awareness Month’s are also a good time to get your kids involved. Whether they have allergies themselves or want to be better champions for kids’ who do, talk to your kids about food allergy safety.

Ideas for kids with allergies:

• Wear a teal shirt and tell your friends about food allergies
• Set up a time to talk to your class about your food allergies, and maybe bring in some allergy safe snacks
• Share your favorite book about food allergies with a friend
• Write a thank you note to teachers, family, or other people who help keep you safe

Ideas for kids without allergies:

• Ask your friends if they have any food allergies
• Talk to your teacher about your school allergy related rules
• Talk to your parents about how to help stick up for kids who have food allergies
• Watch a video or read a book about food allergies to better understand them

How to Save on ZEGO Products

Here at ZEGO, we are working hard all year long to make food that is allergy and gluten safe so that every child and adult can have a safe and yummy snack. We know how expensive it is to have a special diet and we try to find ways to offer you savings. Here are two great ways. First, we offer value-based subscriptions. Every subscription box is supersized with three extra bars, that is 25%-33% more product! And, subscriptions are super-flexible. You can get delivery every 1-3 months, change your flavor mix whenever you like and cancel at any time. If subscriptions aren’t your thing, for this month only (May), you can get free shipping for every order of two or more boxes of ZEGO bars! (usually free shipping is for orders over $100). Get the deal here & Enjoy!

Let us know how we can make your celiac or allergy life easier. We are rolling our our superfood seed and fruit blend that we call Mix-Ins this month. What type of product would you like to see us make next? Let’s grow this company together to make your life easier and healthier!

Three Steps from FARE on how to keep friends with food allergies safe.

Colleen Kavanagh is the founder and CEO of ZEGO.  After a career in public policy, she started ZEGO to provide superfood based snacks for people dealing with multiple food allergies.  ZEGO is a certified B Corporation, and is working to bring transparency to the supply chain to improve food safety for all.