Human meat and adult toys
I’ve heard that the “adult toy” industry isn’t regulated. Does that mean my battery-operated “date” is toxic?
However convenient and sensitive that always-available companion is, it isn’t necessarily harmless. Many of our favourites are chock full of chemicals. Those with that “manly” feel are frequently made with the eco villain PVC, a plastic that continues to release fumes throughout its life cycle. What’s more, PVC frequently relies on phthalates, a family of hormone-disrupting chemicals that have been linked to reproductive issues (do I need to remind you where we’re putting these things?).
Fortunately, there are responsible sex toy purveyors making it possible to truly have a sustainable relationship. Look for products made from medical-grade silicone, surgical-grade stainless steel or — get ready for it — glass (think Pyrex for your privates.) Kimberley Sedgwick, co-owner Red Tent Sisters in Toronto, advises women to ask for the product to be removed from its packaging. “You can smell right away…” she says. A safe sex toy shouldn’t smell like anything at all.
Are organically raised animals “humanely slaughtered”? And what is “humane slaughter,” anyway?
All animals, raised organically or not, must be slaughtered according to the Meat Inspection Regulations. So, while there are no special regulations for organic slaughter, Angela Wisnoski, a certified organic farmer near London, Ont., notes that most organic farmers she knows try to get “first kill,” which means their animals are first to be slaughtered, minimizing the stress of waiting.
Prior to actual slaughter, however, is transport, and that’s an area of concern. The legal allowable distance of transport is “horrific” and “almost a joke,” says Shelagh MacDonald, program director at the Canadian Federation of Humane Societies, noting these distances are far too long. What’s more, when trucks cross borders, the clock simply starts again. Wisnoski points out that most organic farmers try to use nearby abattoirs, rather than ship their animals long distances, although that’s proving increasingly difficult as more small-scale slaughterhouses shut down. “Most organic farmers I know are looking for [small, family-run] butchers, where butchers know your animals and can change their approach, depending on the animal’s personality.”
In the meantime, buying organically raised meat from a local farmer allows you to ask the hard questions, such as: Do you transport your own animals? How far are your animals transported? Under what conditions? How long before slaughter are the animals removed from the farm? Once you’re satisfied with the answers, you might feel ready to bite into a burger again.
