March 13, 2005 SELLING THE SCENT OF MAN By Ruth Winter, MS Men and women have always used smells to try to influence their fellow humans, even though it is impossible to know exactly how an individual will respond to a particular scent. When psychologists investigated the link between odors and memories, they found that a single floral scent reminded one subject of a crowded elevator, another of a funeral, another of an old boyfriend who wore too much after-shave lotion, and still another of pollen and hay fever. Nevertheless, scientific investigations have shown that there are common preferences among sexes, cultures, age groups, and personality types. The smallest category of fragrance users today, according to Datamonitor, is the US male. The cosmetic manufacturers are determined to raise the number of "scented men" even though recent investigations have shown that women are attracted to fresh male sweat. Among the new "artificial" scents of men entering the market, according to the trade journal, Global Cosmetic Industry: " The Art of Shaving is introducing its first fragrance for men which contains the aroma of eucalyptus, jasmine and fir needle as well as sandalwood, myrrh, patchouli and vanilla. A 3.5 ounce bottle costs $70. " Monty D. Cosmetics, linking with the television series, Orange County Choppers is launching Full Throttle which contains the scents of anise, mint, black licorice, lavender and geranium as well as the aroma of cashmere woods and suede. The cost is expected to be from $25 to $46. " Fruits & Passion has introduced Human, featuring notes of watermelon, hibiscus, ink grapefruit, sandalwood, lily of the valley, American cedar, white amber, musk, Italian mandarin, green leaves and freesia. The price is expected to be from $8 to $40. If the fragrance creators target boys--which they inevitably will--scientific research has shown that boys in the eight to 14 year age group like the smell of orange blossom and musk while those in the 18 year age group like lavender and vanilla. *** Persistent Food Additive Problems The Sixth Edition of A Consumer's Dictionary of Food Additives) has just been published by Three Rivers Press but the problems that were cited in the first edition in 1978 haven't gone away. While the FDA is busy defending itself against attacks concerning its handling of pharmaceuticals, you may want to consider the following: Enforcement of the Delaney Amendment that mandated no cancer-causing additive could be added to food continues lax and known carcinogens are in what we eat and drink. Antibiotic and hormonal residues still contaminate our food. The determination that a food additive is generally recognized as safe (GRAS) is largely left up to the manufacturer. Some unidentified additives are listed as "natural" flavorings or colorings---a potentially dangerous situation for a number of allergic individuals. Forty percent of the 50 million pounds of antibiotics produced in the US are used for farm animals and crops. The inability to control the residues of more than 101 antibiotics in meat, poultry and vegetable crops that may be contributing to the increasingly alarming antibiotic resistant bacteria. In fact, The FDA's Center for Veterinary Medicine (CVM) proposed to withdraw approval of the use of the fluoroquinolone antibiotics in poultry in 2000 because chickens and turkeys develop fluoroquinolone-resistant bacterial infections, Campylobacter, the most common bacterial cause of diarrheal illness in 2 million Americans a year. It is usually uncomfortable but can be fatal. Eating poultry with fluroquinolone-resistant bacteria may lead to the development of fluoroquinolone-resistant Campylobacter infections in humans. Cross-resistance may then occur to all fluoroquinolone drugs. CiproŽ, prescribed for the bioterrorism bacterial weapon, anthrax, (and for many other infections) is a fluoroquinolone.  The European Union has banned most antibiotics in feed and intends to ban the remaining four by 2006. Eighty percent of US livestock and poultry are treated with animal drugs. The continued use of pesticides, many of which are known cancer-causing agents or toxins that contaminate food crops and animals. In fact, the attorneys general of Connecticut, Massachusetts, New Jersey, and New York sued the federal Environmental Protection Agency September 15, 2003, contending that it is allowing unacceptably high levels of pesticides residues in some foods favored by children. Only a miniscule fraction of the food that enters our country by land, sea and air is ever checked by our guardian agencies. You, therefore, must be the primary gatekeeper to protect your family's health by being a conscientious and informed consumer. What do you want from your food? You are part of the market force. By understanding labels and by selecting wisely, you can affect the sales of more wholesome foods and protect the health of your family. You will then be better able to: Evaluate foods Read labels Identify nutritious foods Understand what labels do not reveal Avoid salt Avoid hidden sugars Avoid allergens Find foods abundant in desirable ingredients Plan a healthier diet. Health and food safety are largely up to you because government agencies have a lot on their plates today and their regulatory efforts are spread very thin.

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