NEWSLETTER SEPTEMBER 2008
One moment it was here, and then it was gone. Hempseed milk made a short appearance in Australia, only because the importer was not aware of the legislation for hempseed food not being legal for human consumption in Australia and customs not paying attention or being confused about the status of hempseed food. Frustration is evident among the public and the hemp industry that the food law has not changed when the nutritional benefits and safety of hemp food is proven overseas. Hemp food is widely available overseas with hemp food sales of US$30Mill annually in the USA. Hemp food standards in America and Canada state that THC levels must be below 10ppm (parts per million). The Hemp Industry Association Canada has been able to achieve 4ppm which is stamped as no THC detected, which Happy Planet can match.
Happy Planet is also at a disadvantage in exporting hemp food as there is no Australian industry standard test for hemp food and we need to be able to provide certification of Australian hemp food to be able to export. This means an unfair trading field for the hemp industry in Australia and a deterrent for investors and growth of the industry, even though hemp has been proven as an economically viable crop for the industry and Australia. What is going on here, what is the government’s agenda, why do they continue to ignore the facts on hemp?
When Happy Planet’s delivery of hemp milk arrived, we rang the police to tell them, and ask what we should do, as the product was not marked as the legislation states it should be with “not for human consumption in Australia”. After some discussion at the police station, they rang back and said, “dunno, send it back to your supplier”. So we kept it and put it out to the market place and a number of health stores to distribute and see what the consumers thought of hemp milk. There were three flavors, chocolate, vanilla and original and the consumers liked it, very much, and the exercise proved there is a demand for the milk from customers seeking an alternative to soy and rice milk due to good taste, allergy-free and easy digestibility. The Australian importer will not be importing hemp milk again until the Australia legislation is changed, otherwise he risks confiscation of the hemp milk by customs.
If you tried the hemp milk and liked it, you can help the industry, by writing a letter to your State Minister for Health and ask that hemp food legislation be ok’d for human consumption in Australia.
The Industrial Hemp Association of Queensland Incorporated was formed recently to lobby the government as one large voice. The priority for this Association is to change the food legislation and educate the general public about the many benefits and products produced from hemp. The Association is adopting the Canadian hemp industry model, which has achieved a great deal, has excellent goals and ethics and set up standards and regulations for the industry that are working. Interested individuals and companies may join the association for $15 and $150 respectively. By joining the association, we create “strength in numbers”. Associations gain credibility and recognition from government, when there is a large number of members. To join please email the Secretary at ihaq@winshop.com.au .
Association members will be attending GreenFest in Brisbane, which runs from 10-12 October www.greenfest.com.au . For those people living in Brisbane and surrounds, come and visit us and meet members of the industry and see products produced from hemp including hemp plastic, stone, clothing, food, building material, skin care etc.
RECIPE COMPETITION – ends 30/9/08 – and receive a $50 voucher for Happy Planet products Send us a recipe using our products – hemp protein powder, hemp flour and agave syrup.
Here is a delicious recipe sent in by one of our wholesale customers, Di Skelly. You can check out her yummy recipe books at http://www.turnoveranewleaf.com.au/
Hemp Fridge Fudge by Di Skelly. http://www.happyplanet.com.au/newsletter/graphics/100908114009hempfudge.jpg
This is a protein packed, gluten free, low GI, absolutely wicked chocolate tasting treat. The nutritional benefits of a snack like this are too many to mention. The kids will love making it. Make sure they’re whistling while they make it. The mix can be put into waxed cup cake containers for a single serve.
1 cup almond meal ½ cup desiccated coconut
2 tb/spoons hemp protein powder 1 tb/spoon dark agave syrup
½ cup light carob powder ½ cup Tahini –unhulled
1/3 cup coconut oil, melted ½ cup Rice Puffs (optional)
Melt the coconut oil in a saucepan, if necessary. Place all ingredients in a bowl and combine. If the mixture is too dry add a little more coconut oil. The mix should be the consistency of peanut paste. Press mixture into a square shallow dish (I use a plastic sandwich box). Sprinkle with a little coconut and place in the fridge until it sets (a couple of hours).
You can add Rice Puffs, Pecan or Macadamia nuts or whatever you prefer. Try a fresh slice of strawberry on top or add some fresh grated ginger for a bit of bite. Be creative. This will keep in the fridge for a couple of weeks, if it is not eaten before then. (Definitely disappear from my fridge in a couple of hours.) Bon Appetite!
THIS WEEK’S SPECIAL – DARK AGAVE SYRUP 350gm BOTTLE $7.50 – (RRP $9.95)
Website link to Agave Syrup page http://www.happyplanet.com.au/shop/product_listings.php?Maingroup=Agave%20Syrup%20-%20Certified%20Organic&Secondgroup=Agave%20Syrup%20Dark%20-%20Low%20GI
New product – Higher Nature Skin Care – Body butter, baby bottom balm, body silk moisturizer, lip balm and soap.
Luxurious skin care range produced near Toowoomba containing hempseed oil. Check out the web page at: http://www.happyplanet.com.au/shop/product_categories.php?Maingroup=Hemp%20Skin%20Care
Don’t hesitate to contact us with any queries – we are here to help and inform. Have a very hempy day!
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