10 Food Shortages Predicted By "Experts"
These prognosticators were so wrong, it ain't funny...
What follows is a post I wrote back in 2023, which cited a Yahoo article about potential food shortages. It’s dated, but kinda funny. Enjoy!
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I just stumbled across an article from Yahoo that says we're likely to experience shortages in 10 different food categories.
So here they are, as well as some commentary from yours truly:
1. Bread. The article cites a report from Mashed that says the Russia-Ukraine War will be the culprit, as those countries account for 20% of global cereal grain production.
My take - Most bread (in the U.S. anyway) is unhealthy, doughy crap. Do yourself a favor and don't eat it (it turns to sugar in your system so fast, you might as well eat candy).
2. Sunflower and palm oil. Once again the fighting in Ukraine is to blame. The article cites info from the Brookings Institute that says 52% of globally traded sunflower seeds/sunflower oil comes from Ukraine, and that the war there is raising havoc with the supply chains necessary to export it. Making matters worse for fry cooks is that there's a simultaneous palm oil shortage in Indonesia, the world's leading producer of palm oil.
My take - Don't put these oils in your body. They're way too high in omega 6 fatty acids, which (unless balanced by omega 3 fatty acids) many physicians believe can cause all kinds of health problems, including cancer, heart disease, Alzheimers, and macular degeneration.
3. Champagne. The article says that climate change is to blame for this one, which led to a smaller than average crop yield in the 2021 harvest.
My take - This is a problem that you need to take seriously. I'd stock up on all the bubbly you can afford and keep it locked up in safe in a secure location.
4. Canned food. This also affects beer and pet food, as they're commonly packaged in cans. The reason for a predicted dearth of these goods is due to an aluminum shortage, which in turn stems from pandemic-related supply chain issues and a lack of skilled labor.
My take - Feed yourself, your dog, and cat something healthier than the canned garbage passed off as food. As for beer, my recommendation for Champagne applies here.
5. Lettuce. The Consumer Price Index said the price of lettuce went up 22% in 2022. Apparently that's due do some weird plant disease affecting lettuce fields in Salinas Valley in California, where about half of the lettuce in the U.S. is grown.
My take - Lettuce ain't the only kid on the salad block. Use kale, arugula, or baby spinach leaves instead.
6. Corn. Eat This, Not That says 2022 was a bad year for corn production due to extreme heat, storms, and insects.
My take - I spent last summer in Ohio land saw no evidence of a corn shortage. In fact, I had it quite often with my dinner and it was no more expensive than normal. But if there is indeed a shortage, all kinds of processed food could get more expensive because corn syrup is a common ingredient. Thankfully, the solution's simple - don't eat processed food.
7. Oranges/Orange Juice. Hurricane Ian wiped out a lot of Florida orange trees last September. As a result, the U.S. Dept. of Agriculture says more than half of the state's orange production is expected to drop in the 2022 - 2023 growing season. Worse, a disease called "citrus greening" has been hurting Florida orange production over the last several years.
There are plenty of oranges for all you citrus lovers
My take: There are many fruit alternatives to oranges - way too many to list - so try them! As for orange juice, most of it is about as good for you as canned food. I say this because store-bought OJ is usually pasteurized and contains preservatives and/or added sugar.
8. Beef. East This, Not That says that last year's extreme drought forced many ranchers to sell off large amounts of their cattle. That resulted in an increase in slaughter levels, but now there's fewer cattle to slaughter than there normally would be for this time of year.
My take - Ever drive through Highway 5 in Central California? If you have, you know that there are agri-beef factory farms that extend for countless miles. Driving through there you can smell the stench of cow feces and death. The beef that comes from these places should be avoided, as these cows are fed an unnatural diet of corn and thus have WAY too much Omega-6 fatty acids (see item 2 for why you should be careful about omega-6). Bottom line - if you're gonna eat beef, opt for grass fed beef. Yes, it costs more, but it's worth it.
9. Olive Oil - According to Atlas Obscura, a tree-blighting bacteria in South America made its way to the region of Puglia, Italy, where 12% of the world's olives are grown. By 2021, that infection reportedly hit a third of the region's olive trees. On top of that, last summer's intense heat reportedly damaged many olive trees in Spain.
My take - Grin and pay what you've gotta pay for olive oil. It's a great source of healthy omega-3 fat... provided it's organic and not blended with other oils (which it often is, so make sure what you buy says 100% organic olive oil on the label).
10. Infant Formula - Last February (2022), the world's largest infant formula maker (Abbott) temporarily stopped production and issued a massive recall when they discovered bacteria at a production facility. That caused young mothers throughout the land to panic, as a massive shortage of baby formula ensued.
My take - What did young mothers do before there was infant formula available at every drug and grocery store? You and I know what the answer is... and it would be wise for mothers to go back to providing their own milk for their weaning children. Besides, commercial baby formula is loaded with chemicals.
That's it for today's admittedly long issue of Natural Wealth, Natural Health.
I gotta run... need to get some beer and champagne before it's too late.
Prepared for the worst,
Doug Fogel, Publisher, Natural Wealth, Natural Health