Oh, Canada . . .

So, I've been back in Canada for the past week. I've been back to deal with some family stuff and have had a rather whirlwind trip. It didn't start off well. Before I even got here, there was a load of family drama and I spent the night before the flight being sick. For a change, it wasn't Crohn's, it was plain old common food

poisoning. Made for a rather unpleasant flight.

My stomach has more or less cooperated for the rest of the trip, and like all Ex-Pats, my last day here will involve stocking up on treats I can't get in the UK. Unfortunately, the list of what I can bring back has been shrinking over the years. One would think that this would be because of some change in rules around customs, but no. The problem is bloody soybeans.

Soya leaves me with a very very upset stomach. I can tolerate a very small amount, such as the soy lecithin that is usually in chocolate (as it is typically only about .5% of a chocolate bar) or about a tablespoon of soya sauce (which is mostly wheat, anyway), but anything more than that gives me nasty stomach cramps. One of the many battles I had with the hospital was trying to get them to understand that this has nothing to do with the Crohn's and is a plain old boring food intolerance. No tofu for me! Good thing I'm a carnavore.

Alas, soybean oil is now in just about everything in Canada. Here are some examples -

Jell-o Pudding

Kraft Peanut Butter

Premium Plus Saltine Crackers

My beloved Girl Guide Cookies - I eat them anyways and just pay the consequences

Okay, these aren't mine, they are some kind of organic seed-y crackers for a friend - even these have bloody soybeans in them!

What manufacturers have done is replaced unsustainable and imported palm oil with North American grown soybean oil. While this sounds lovely from an environmental standpoint, the truth of the matter is that American farmers are being encouraged to grow huge amounts soya through massive government subsidies - http://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2013-09-09/farmers-boost-revenue-sowing-subsidies-for-crop-insurance 

With the inevitable glut of soybeans on the market, manufacturers are encouraged to use them. The further problem is that most soybeans grown in the US are genetically modified, which is illegal in the EU. Much of the genetic engineering has been driven by agribusiness giant, Monsanto, who are generally seen as the most evil corporation on earth. Put the word 'Monsanto' into Google, and you'll see that 'Monsanto evil' will show up as one of the first three search suggestions.

Oh Hecubus! Is Mosanto at it again?!

Monsanto have a storied history with Canadian farmers. I well remember when this case was going on (worth the read!) - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Monsanto_Canada_Inc_v_Schmeiser

The other problem is that a lot of people have a food intolerance to soya, and some people are downright allergic to it. In fact, soya is listed as one of the top ten commonly known food allergens. Way to go manufacturers, you just lost yourselves a load of customers!

So, I'll be heading back to the UK with less comfort food than I used to thanks to bloody soybeans. And Monsanto. At least that leaves more room for maple syrup!