Dr. Giovanucci's epidemiological study of almost 48,000 health care professionals showed an inverse relationship between the tomato consumption and prostate cancer.  The more tomatoes and tomato products these health care professionals ate, the less likely they were to develop prostate cancer.  The researcher was so impressed with his 1995 findings that he reviewed all of the research that he could find dealing with the subject.

Reviewing 72 studies, his research showed that there was a very strong link between tomato consumption and cancer prevention.  Dr. Giovanucci published his findings in 1999.  The Harvard epidemiological research, as well as that of others, led to the proposition that lycopene, a carotenoid found in abundance in tomatoes, was primarily responsible for the very good results.  As such, a number of clinical studies, considered the "Gold Standard" in the field of research, have been conducted over the past five years addressing the health benefits of consuming tomato products.

Time and time again, these studies have shown that processed tomato products have many health benefits.  Besides the positive impact on prostate cancer, a link has been established between the consumption of tomato products and the prevention of many other diseases including osteoporosis, and lung, cervix and breast cancer.  The research is continuing.  To any reasonable person, the health benefits of tomatoes are undeniable.  The link has been clearly drawn!

If not now, when will the California processed tomato industry be ready to embrace the 'Good News', and actively promote the God-given 'Goodness' that our products provide to the consuming public.  As testimony, researchers have confided they have increased the amount of processed tomatoes in their own diet as a result of their work.  We need to spread the good news.

Now is the time to pursue a Health Claim with the Food and Drug Administration that can be used to promote our products.  When we explored this opportunity a few years ago, we discovered that it would only take about $150,000 to present our case to the FDA.  Now is the time to step up to the plate and fund this project.  Imagine the benefits to our industry if every can of tomato paste, every bottle of ketchup, every jar of pasta sauce and every jar of salsa could include the phrase: "Consumption of tomato products has been linked to the prevention of cancer."  Of course, the exact wording would be determined by the FDA.  Initially, the health claim might be conservative but as the body of evidence grows we need to be in the position to capitalize on the latest developments.  At the rate the research is going, it is not too far off when researchers will be able to say that "tomato consumption prevents cancer."

The time is ripe!

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