LIBYA AND THE BIG LIE: USING HUMAN RIGHTS ORGANIZATIONS TO LAUNCH WARS

Libyans are drowning in oceans of their own red lifeblood due to intervention brought about by the pleas of compromised human rights organizations.  However, their hearts remain green and resistant. The Libyan people need our support and NOT the type discussed below in this insightful article by Mahdi Darius Nazemroaya

DonDeBar's Blog

By Mahdi Darius Nazemroaya
September 24, 2011

The war against Libya is built on fraud.

The United Nations Security Council passed two resolutions against Libya on the basis of unproven claims, specifically that Colonel Muammar Qaddafi was killing his own people in Benghazi. The claim in its exact form was that Qaddafi had ordered Libyan forces to kill 6,000 people in Benghazi.

These claims were widely disseminated, but always vaguely explained. It was on the basis of this claim that Libya was referred to the U.N. Security Council at U.N Headquarters in New York City and kicked out of the U.N. Human Rights Council in Geneva.

False claims about African mercenary armies in Libya and about jet attacks on civilians were also used in a broad media campaign against Libya. These two claims have been sidelined and have become more and more murky. The massacre claims, however, were used in a legal, diplomatic, and military framework to justify NATO’s war on the Libyans.
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USING HUMAN RIGHTS AS A PRETEXT FOR WAR:

THE LLHR AND ITS UNPROVEN CLAIMS

One of the main sources for the claim that Qaddafi was killing his own people is the Libyan League for Human Rights (LLHR).

The LLHR was actually pivotal to getting the U.N. involved through its specific claims in Geneva. On February 21, 2011 the LLHR got the 70 other non-governmental organizations (NGOs) to send letters to the President Obama, E.U. High Representative Catherine Ashton., and the U.N. Secretary-General Ban-ki Moon demanding international action against Libya invoking the “Responsibility to Protect” doctrine.

Only 25 members of this coalition actually assert that they are human rights groups.

The letter is as follows:

We, the undersigned non-governmental, human rights, and humanitarian organizations, urge you to mobilize the United Nations and the international community and take immediate action to halt the mass atrocities now being perpetrated by the Libyan government against its own people. The inexcusable silence cannot continue.

As you know, in the past several days, Colonel Moammar Gadhafi’s forces are estimated to have deliberately killed hundreds of peaceful protesters and innocent bystanders across the country. In the city of Benghazi alone, one doctor reported seeing at least 200 dead bodies. Witnesses report that a mixture of special commandos, foreign mercenaries and regime loyalists have attacked demonstrators with knives, assault rifles and heavy-caliber weapons.

Snipers are shooting peaceful protesters. Artillery and helicopter gunships have been used against crowds of demonstrators.

Thugs armed with hammers and swords attacked families in their homes. Hospital officials report numerous victims shot in the head and chest, and one struck on the head by an anti-aircraft missile.

Tanks are reported to be on the streets and crushing innocent bystanders.

Witnesses report that mercenaries are shooting indiscriminately from helicopters and from the top of roofs.

Women and children were seen jumping off Giuliana Bridge in Benghazi to escape. Many of them were killed by the impact of hitting the water, while others were drowned.

The Libyan regime is seeking to hide all of these crimes by shutting off contact with the outside world. Foreign journalists have been refused entry. Internet and phone lines have been cut or disrupted.

There is no question here about intent. The government media has published open threats, promising that demonstrators would meet a “violent and thunderous response.”

Accordingly, the government of Libya is committing gross and systematic violations of the right to life as guaranteed by the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. Citizens seeking to exercise their rights to freedom of expression and freedom of assembly are being massacred by the government.

Moreover, the government of Libya is committing crimes against humanity, as defined by the Explanatory Memorandum to the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court. The Libyan government’s mass killing of innocent civilians amount to particularly odious offences which constitute a serious attack on human dignity. As confirmed by numerous oral and video testimonies gathered by human rights organizations and news agencies, the Libyan government’s assault on its civilian population are not isolated or sporadic events. Rather, these actions constitute a widespread and systematic policy and practice of atrocities, intentionally committed, including murder, political persecution and other inhumane acts which reach the threshold of crimes against humanity.

RESPONSIBILITY TO PROTECT

Under the 2005 World Summit Outcome Document, you have a clear and unambiguous responsibility to protect the people of Libya. The international community, through the United Nations, has the responsibility to use appropriate diplomatic, humanitarian and other peaceful means, in accordance with Chapters VI and VIII of the Charter, to help to protect the Libyan population.

Because the Libyan national authorities are manifestly failing to protect their population from crimes against humanity, should peaceful means be inadequate, member states are obliged to take collective action, in a timely and decisive manner, through the Security Council, in accordance with the UN Charter, including Chapter VII.

In addition, we urge you to convene an emergency Special Session of the UN Human Rights Council, whose members have a duty, under UNGA Resolution 60/251, to address situations of gross and systematic violations of violations of human rights. The session should:

Call for the General Assembly to suspend Libya’s Council membership, pursuant to Article 8 of Resolution 60/251, which applies to member states that commit gross and systematic violations of human rights.

STRONGLY CONDEMN, AND DEMAND AN IMMEDIATE END TO, LIBYA’S MASSACRE OF ITS OWN CITIZENS.

Dispatch immediately an international mission of independent experts to collect relevant facts and document violations of international human rights law and crimes against humanity, in order to end the impunity of the Libyan government. The mission should include an independent medical investigation into the deaths, and an investigation of the unlawful interference by the Libyan government with the access to and treatment of wounded.

Call on the UN High Commissioner of Human Rights and the Council’s relevant Special Procedures to closely monitor the situation and take action as needed.

Call on the Council to remain seized of the matter and address the Libyan situation at its upcoming 16th regular session in March.

Member states and high officials of the United Nations have a responsibility to protect the people of Libya from what are preventable crimes. We urge you to use all available measures and levers to end atrocities throughout the country.

We urge you to send a clear message that, collectively, the international community, the Security Council and the Human Rights Council will not be bystanders to these mass atrocities. The credibility of the UN ~ and many innocent lives ~ are at stake. [1]

According to Physicians for Human Rights:

“[This letter was] prepared under the guidance of Mohamed Eljahmi, the noted Libyan human rights defender and brother of dissident Fathi Eljahmi, asserts that the widespread atrocities committed by Libya against its own people amount to war crimes, requiring member states to take action through the Security Council under the responsibility to protect doctrine.” [2]

The letters signatories included Francis Fukuyama, United Nations Watch (which looks out for Israel’s interests), B’nai B’rith Human Rights Commission, the Cuban Democratic Directorate, and a set of organizations at odds with the governments of Nicaragua, Cuba, Sudan, Russia, Venezuela, and Libya.

Some of these organizations are viewed with hostility as organizations created to wage demonization campaigns against countries at odds with the U.S., Israel, and the European Union.

Refer to the annex for the full list of signatories for consultation.

LLHR is tied to the International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH), which is based in France and has ties to the National Endowment for Democracy (NED). FIDH is active in many places in Africa and in activities involving the National Endowment for Democracy. Both the FIDH and LLHR also released a joint communiqué on February 21, 2011.

In the communiqué both organizations asked for the international community to “mobilize” and mention the International Criminal Court while also making a contradictory claiming that over 400 to 600 people had died since February 15, 2011. [3]

This of course was about 5,500 short of the claim that 6,000 people were massacred in Benghazi.

The joint letter also promoted the false view that 80% of Qaddafi’s support came from foreign mercenaries, which is something that over half a year of fighting proves as untrue.

According to the General-Secretary of the LLHR, Dr. Sliman Bouchuiguir, the claims about the massacres in Benghazi could not be validated by the LLHR when he was challenged for proof. When asked how a group of 70 non-governmental organizations in Geneva could support the LLHR’s claims on Geneva, Dr. Buchuiguir has answered that a network of close relationship was the basis. This is a mockery.

Speculation is neither evidence nor grounds for starting a war with a bombing campaign that has lasted about half a year and taken many innocent civilian lives, including children and the elderly.

What is important to note here is that the U.N. Security Council decided to sanction the Libyan Arab Jamahiriya on the basis of this letter and the claims of the LLHR.

Not once did the U.N. Security Council and the member states pushing for war once bother to even investigate the allegations.

In one session in New York City, the Indian Ambassador to the U.N. actually pointed this out when his country abstained from voting. Thus, a so-called “humanitarian war” was launched without any evidence.

THE SECRET RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN 

THE LLHR AND THE TRANSITIONAL COUNCIL

The claims of the Libyan League for Human Rights (LLHR) were coordinated with the formation of the Transitional Council.

This becomes clear with when the close and cagey relationship of the LLHR and the Transitional Council becomes apparent. Logically, the Obama Administration and NATO had to also be a part of this.

Whatever the Transitional Council is and whatever the intent of some of its supporters, it is clear that it is being used as a tool by the U.S. and others. Moreover, five members of the LLHR were or would become members of the Transitional Council almost immediately after the claims against the Libyan Arab Jamahiriya were disseminated. According to Bouchuguir this includes Mahmoud Jibril and Ali Tarhouni.

Dr. Mahmoud Jibril is a Libyan regime figure brought into Libyan government circles by Saif Al-Islam Qaddafi. He would undemocratically be given the position of Transitional Council prime minister. His involvement with the LLHR raises some real questions about the organization.

The economist Ali Tarhouni on the other hand would become the minister for oil and finance for the Transitional Council. Tarhouni is Washington’s man in Libya.

He was groomed in the United States and was present at all the major meetings about plans for regime change in Libya. As Minister of Oil and Finance the first acts he did were privatize and virtually hand over Libya’s energy resources and economy.

The General-Secretary of the LLHR, Sliman Bouchuiguir, has even privately admitted that many influential members of the Transitional Council are his friends. A real question of interests arises.

Yet, the secret relationship between the LLHR and the Transitional Council is far more than a question of conflict of interest. It is a question of justice and manipulation.
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WHO IS SLIMAN BOUCHUIGUIR?

Sliman Bouchuguir is an unheard of figure for most, but he has authored a doctoral thesis that has been widely quoted and used in strategic circles in the United States. This thesis was published in 1979 as a book, The Use of Oil as a Political Weapon: A Case Study of the 1973 Arab oil Embargo.

The thesis is about the use of oil as an economic weapon by Arabs, but can easily be applied to the Russians, the Iranians, the Venezuelans, and others. It examines economic development and economic warfare and can also be applied to vast regions, including all of Africa.

Bouchuguir’s analytical thesis reflects an important line of thinking in Washington, as well as London and Tel Aviv.

It is both the embodiment of a pre-existing mentality, which includes U.S. National Security Advisor George F. Kennan’s arguments for maintaining a position of disparity through a constant multi-faced war between the U.S. and its allies on one hand and the rest of the world on the other hand.

The thesis can be drawn on for preventing the Arabs, or others, from becoming economic powers or threats. In strategic terms rival economies are pinned as threats and as “weapons.” This has serious connotations.
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BOUCHUGUIR ~ ISRAELI AND AMERICAN EDUCATED

Moreover, Bouchuiguir did his thesis at George Washington University under Bernard Reich. Reich is a political scientist and professor of international relations. He has worked and held positions at places like the U.S. Defense Intelligence College, the United States Air Force Special Operations School, the Marine Corps War College, and the Shiloah Center at Tel Aviv University. 

He has consulted on the Middle East for the Foreign Service Institute of the U.S. State Department and received grants such as the Defense Academic Research Support Program Research grant and the German Marshal Fund Grant. Reich also was or is presently on the editorial boards of journals such as Israel Affairs (1994-present), Terrorism: An International Journal (1987-1994), and The New Middle East (1971-1973).

It is also clear that Reich is tied to Israeli interests. He has even written a book about the special relationship between the U.S and Israel. He has also been an advocate for a “New Middle East” which would be favourable to Israel. This includes careful consideration over North Africa. His work has also focused on the important strategic interface between the Soviet Union and the Middle East and also on Israeli policy in the continent of Africa.

It is clear why Bouchuiguir has his thesis supervised under Reich. On October 23, 1973, Reich gave a testimony at the U.S. Congress. The testimony has been named “The Impact of the October Middle East War” and is clearly tied to the 1973 oil embargo and Washington’s aim of pre-empting or managing any similar events in the future. It has to be asked, how much did Reich influence Bouchuiguir and if Bouchuiguir espouses the same strategic views as Reich?
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THE “NEW NORTH AFRICA” AND A “NEW AFRICA” 

~ MORE THAN JUST A “NEW MIDDLE EAST”

A “New Africa” is in the works, which will have its borders further drawn out in blood like in the past. The Obama Administration and its allies have opened the gateway for a new invasion of Africa. United States Africa Command (AFRICOM) opened the salvos of the war through Operation Odyssey Damn, before the war on Libya was transferred to NATO’ Operation Unified Protector.

The U.S. has used NATO to continue the occupation of post-Second World War Europe. It will now use AFRICOM to occupy Africa and create an African NATO. It is clear the U.S. wants an expanded military presence in Libya and Africa under the disguise of humanitarian aid missions and fighting terrorism ~ the same terrorism that it is fanning in Libya and Africa.

The way is being paved for intervention in Africa under the guise of fighting terrorism. General Carter Ham has stated:

“If we were to launch a humanitarian operation, how do we do so effectively with air traffic control, airfield management, [and] those kinds of activities?” [4]

General Ham’s question is actually a sales pitch for fashioning African military partnerships and integration, as well as new bases that could include the use of more military drones against Libya and other African countries.

The Washington Post and The Wall Street Journal (WSJ) have both made it clear that the Pentagon is actively trying to establish more drone bases in Africa and the Arabian Peninsula to expand its wars. [WP] In this context, the AFRICOM Commander that there are ties between the Al-Shabaab in Somalia, Al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb in North Africa, and the Boko Harem in Nigeria. [6]

THE WAR IN LIBYA IS A FRAUD

General Ham has said:

“I remain confident that had the U.N. not made the decision, had the U.S. not taken the lead with great support, I’m absolutely convinced there are many, many people in Benghazi alive today who would not be alive.” [7]

This is not true and a far stretch from reality. The war has cost more lives than it could have ever saved. It has ruined a country and opened the door into Africa for a neo-colonial project.

The claims of the Libyan League for Human Rights (LLHR) were never supported or verified.

The credibility of United Nations must be questioned as well as many humanitarian and human rights organizations that have virtually pushed for a war.

At best the U.N. Security Council is an irresponsible body, but it has clearly acted outside of due legal process.

This pattern now appears to be repeating itself against the Syrian Arab Republic as unverified claims are being made by individuals and organizations supported by foreign powers that care nothing for authentic democratic reforms or liberty.







NOTES:

[1] United Nations Watch et al., “Urgent Appeal to Stop Atrocities in Libya: Sent by 70 NGOs to the US, EU, and UN,” February 21, 2011:

http://www.unwatch.org/site/apps/nlnet/content2.aspx?c=bdKKISNqEmG&b=1330815&ct=9135143

[2] Physicians for Human Rights, “PHR and Human Rights Groups Call for Immediate Action in Libya,” February 22, 2011:

http://physiciansforhumanrights.org/press/press-releases/news-2011-02-22-libya.html

[3] The International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH) and the Libyan League for Human Rights (LLHR), “Massacres in Libya: The international community must urgently,” respond, February 21, 2011:

http://www.fidh.org/IMG/article_PDF/article_a9183.pdf

[4] Jim Garamone, “Africa Command Learns from Libya Operations,” American Forces Press Service, September 15, 2011:

http://www.defense.gov/news/newsarticle.aspx?id=65344&reason=1

[5] Gregory Miller and Craig Whitlock, “U.S. U.S. assembling secret drone bases in Africa, Arabian Peninsula, officials say,” The Washington Post, September 20, 2011; Julian E. Barnes, “U.S. Expands Drone Flights to Take Aim at East Africa,” The Wall Street Journal (WSJ), September 21, 2011.

[6] Garamone, “Africa Command Learns,” Op. cit.

[7] Ibid.

ANNEX: SIGNATORY OF THE URGENT LETTER FOR ACTION ON LIBYA

February 12, 2011 ~ Geneva, Switzerland

1. Hillel C. Neuer, United Nations Watch, Switzerland

2. Dr. Sliman Bouchuiguir, Libyan League for Human Rights, Switzerland

3. Mary Kay Stratis, Victims of Pan Am Flight 103, Inc., USA

4. Carl Gershman, President, The National Endowment for Democracy, USA

5. Yang Jianli, Initiatives for China, USA - Former prisoner of conscience and survivor of Tiananmen

Square massacre

6. Yang Kuanxing, YIbao - Chinese writer, original signatory to Charter 08, the manifesto calling for political reform in China

7. Matteo Mecacci, MP, Nonviolent Radical Party, Italy

8. Frank Donaghue, Physicians for Human Rights, USA

9. Nazanin Afshin-Jam, Stop Child Executions, Canada

10. Bhawani Shanker Kusum, Gram Bharati Samiti, India

11. G. Jasper Cummeh, III, Actions for Genuine Democratic Alternatives, Liberia

12. Michel Monod, International Fellowship of Reconciliation, Switzerland

13. Esohe Aghatise, Associazione Iroko Onlus, Italy

14. Harris O. Schoenberg, UN Reform Advocates, USA

15. Myrna Lachenal, World Federation for Mental Health, Switzerland

16. Nguyên Lê Nhân Quyên, Vietnamese League for Human Rights, Switzerland

17. Sylvia G. Iriondo, Mothers and Women against Repression (M.A.R. Por Cuba), USA

18. David Littman, World Union for Progressive Judaism, Switzerland

19. Barrister Festus Okoye, Human Rights Monitor, Nigeria

20. Theodor Rathgeber, Forum Human Rights, Germany

21. Derik Uya Alfred, Kwoto Cultural Center, Juba ~ Southern Sudan

22. Carlos E Tinoco, Consorcio Desarrollo y Justicia, A.C., Venezuela

23. Abdurashid Abdulle Abikar, Center for Youth and Democracy, Somalia

24. Dr. Vanee Meisinger, Pan Pacific and South East Asia Women’s Association, Thailand

25. Simone Abel, René Cassin, United Kingdom

26. Dr. Francois Ullmann, Ingenieurs du Monde, Switzerland

27. Sr Catherine Waters, Catholic International Education Office, USA

28. Gibreil Hamid, Darfur Peace and Development Centre, Switzerland

29. Nino Sergi, INTERSOS – Humanitarian Aid Organization, Italy

30. Daniel Feng, Foundation for China in the 21st Century

31. Ann Buwalda, Executive Director, Jubilee Campaign, USA

32. Leo Igwe, Nigerian Humanist Movement, Nigeria

33. Chandika Gautam, Nepal International Consumers Union, Nepal

34. Zohra Yusuf, Human Rights Commission of Pakistan, Pakistan

35. Sekou Doumbia, Femmes & Droits Humains, Mali

36. Cyrille Rolande Bechon, Nouveaux Droits de l'Homme, Cameroon

37. Zainab Al-Suwaij, American Islamic Congress, USA

38. Valnora Edwin, Campaign for Good Governance, Sierra Leone

39. Patrick Mpedzisi, African Democracy Forum, South Africa

40. Phil ya Nangoloh, NamRights, Namibia

41. Jaime Vintimilla, Centro Sobre Derecho y Sociedad (CIDES), Ecuador

42. Tilder Kumichii Ndichia, Gender Empowerment and Development, Cameroon

43. Amina Bouayach, Moroccan Organisation for Human Rights, Morocco

44. Abdullahi Mohamoud Nur, CEPID-Horn Africa, Somalia

45. Delly Mawazo Sesete, Resarch Center on Environment, Democracy & Human Rights, DR Congo

46. Joseph Rahall, Green Scenery, Sierra Leone

47. Arnold Djuma, Solidarité pour la Promotion Sociale et la Paix, Rwanda

48. Panayote Dimitras, Greek Helsinki Monitor, Greece

49. Carlos E. Ponce, Latina American and Caribbean Network for Democracy, Venezuela

50. Fr. Paul Lansu, Pax Christi International, Belgium

51. Tharsika Pakeerathan, Swiss Council of Eelam Tamils, Switzerland

52. Ibrahima Niang, Commission des Droits Humains du Mouvement Citoyen, Senegal

53. Virginia Swain, Center for Global Community and World Law, USA

54. Dr Yael Danieli, International Society for Traumatic Stress Studies, USA

55. Savita Gokhale, Loksadhana, India

56. Hasan Dheeree, Biland Awdal Organization, Somalia

57. Pacifique Nininahazwe, Forum pour le Renforcement de la Société Civile, Burundi

58. Derik Uya Alfred, Kwoto Cultural Center, Southern Sudan

59. Michel Golubnichy, International Association of Peace Foundations, Russia

60. Edward Ladu Terso, Multi Media Training Center, Sudan

61. Hafiz Mohammed, Justice Africa Sudan, Sudan

62. Sammy Eppel, B'nai B’rith Human Rights Commission, Venezuela

63. Jack Jeffery, International Humanist and Ethical Union, United Kingdom

64. Duy Hoang, Viet Tan, Vietnam

65. Promotion de la Democratie et Protection des Droits Humains, DR Congo

66. Radwan A. Masmoudi, Center for the Study of Islam & Democracy, USA

67. María José Zamora Solórzano, Movimiento por Nicaragua, Nicaragua

68. John Suarez, Cuban Democratic Directorate, USA

69. Mohamed Abdul Malek, Libya Watch, United Kingdom

70. Journalists Union of Russia, Russia

71. Sindi Medar-Gould, BAOBAB for Women’s Human Rights, Nigeria

72. Derik Uya Alfred, Kwoto Cultural Centre, Sudan

73. Sr. Anne Shaym, Presentation Sisters, Australia

74. Joseph Rahad, Green Scenery, Sierra Leone

75. Fahma Yusuf Essa, Women in Journalism Association, Somalia

76. Hayder Ibrahim Ali, Sudanese Studies Center, Sudan

77. Marcel Claude Kabongo, Good Governance and Human Rights NGO, DR Congo

78. Frank Weston, International Multiracial Shared Cultural Organization (IMSCO), USA

79. Fatima Alaoui, Maghrebin Forum for environment and development, Morocco

80. Ted Brooks, Committee for Peace and Development Advocacy, Liberia

81. Felly Fwamba, Cerveau Chrétien, DR Congo

82. Jane Rutledge, CIVICUS: World Alliance of Citizen Participation, South Africa

83. Ali AlAhmed, The Institute for Gulf Affairs, USA

84. Daniel Ozoukou, Martin Luther King Center for Peace and Social Justice, Cote d'Ivoire

85. Dan T. Saryee, Liberia Democratic Institute (LDI), Liberia

INDIVIDUALS:

Dr. Frene Ginwala, former Speaker of the South African National Assembly

Philosopher Francis Fukuyama

Mohamed Eljahmi, Libyan human rights activist

Glenn P. Johnson, Jr., Treasurer, Victims of Pan Am Flight 103, Inc.,father of Beth Ann

Johnson, victim of Lockerbie bombing

Source: UN Watch (Refer to note 1)

FOOD COMPANIES THAT LITERALLY FEED YOU WOOD

Did you know that eating wood is kosher? Every bit of food Americans eat pretty well is “certified” at an exorbitant blackmail price by a gen-yew-whine Rabbi so that should the item pass a Jew’s lips, he is not committing a crime against humanity.  Of course we all pay for this culinary shakedown but that is not the point here.

I can truthfully say I eat NONE of the listed below items. Ever. If I did once, I stopped years ago, but I have never bought into the fast food thing. Or the junk food thing. This was more to be on the natural and/or organic side of things for health. These foods are full of killer ingredients including GMO’s and corn syrup as well as a host of other unhealthy items.

Another reason now to boycott these companies besides your physical health is that of your mental and spiritual health. Doing it for for Palestine. Most of these are Israel first countries that donate huge sums to the Zionist entity. Pepsi is the latest biggie to be added to the list. Oh yes, and don’t they use embryo cells to enhance the flavor of some of their “liquid refreshment”?

But now we know where all good wood chips go when they die. Read on.

This wood eater would have the good sense

to avoid the junk foods below and go for the natural product.

By Miriam Reime

NEW YORK (TheStreet) 

Posted by Noor, September 23, 2011

Are you getting what you pay for on your plate?

A class-action lawsuit brought against Taco Bell raised questions about the quality of food many Americans eat each day. 

Chief among those concerns is the use of cellulose (read: wood pulp), an extender whose use in a roster of food products, from crackers and ice creams to puddings and baked goods, is now being exposed. What you're actually paying for ~ and consuming ~ may be surprising.

Cellulose is virgin wood pulp that has been processed and manufactured to different lengths for functionality, though use of it and its variant forms (cellulose gum, powdered cellulose, microcrystalline cellulose, etc.) is deemed safe for human consumption, according to the FDA, which regulates most food industry products.

The government agency sets no limit on the amount of cellulose that can be used in food products meant for human consumption. The USDA, which regulates meats, has set a limit of 3.5% on the use of cellulose, since fiber in meat products cannot be recognized nutritionally.

"As commodity prices continue to rally and the cost of imported materials impacts earnings, we expect to see increasing use of surrogate products within food items. Cellulose is certainly in higher demand and we expect this to continue," ~ Michael A. Yoshikami, chief investment strategist at YCMNet Advisors, told TheStreet.

Manufacturers use cellulose in food as an extender, providing structure and reducing breakage, said Dan Inman, director of research and development at J. Rettenmaier USA, a company that supplies "organic" cellulose fibers for use in a variety of processed foods and meats meant for human and pet consumption, as well as for plastics, cleaning detergents, welding electrodes, pet litter, automotive brake pads, glue and reinforcing compounds, construction materials, roof coating, asphalt and even emulsion paints, among many other products. 

Cellulose adds fiber to the food, which is good for people who do not get the recommended daily intake of fiber in their diets, Inman said. It also extends the shelf life of processed foods. Plus, cellulose's water-absorbing properties can mimic fat, he said, allowing consumers to reduce their fat intake. 

Perhaps most important to food processors is that cellulose is cheaper, he added, because "the fiber and water combination is less expensive than most other ingredients in the [food] product." 

Indeed, food producers save as much as 30% in ingredient costs by opting for cellulose as a filler or binder in processed foods, according to a source close to the processed food industry who spoke with TheStreet on the condition of anonymity. 

Inman said that in his 30 years in the food science business, he's seen "an amazing leap in terms of the applications of cellulose fiber and what you can do with it." He said powdered cellulose has a bad reputation but that more of his customers are converting from things like oat or sugar cane fibers to cellulose because it is "snow white in color, bland and easy to work with." 

Most surprising, said Inman is that he's been able to remove as much as 50% of the fat from some cookies, biscuits, cakes and brownies by replacing it with powdered cellulose ~ but still end up with a very similar product in terms of taste and appearance. 

"We're only limited by our own imagination," Inman told TheStreet. "I would never have dreamed I could successfully put 18% fiber in a loaf of bread two years ago." 

He said cellulose is common in processed foods, often labeled as reduced-fat or high-fiber ~ products like breads, pancakes, crackers, pizza crusts, muffins, scrambled eggs, mashed potato mixes, and even cheesecake. Inman himself keeps a box of Wheat Thins Fiber Selects crackers, manufactured by Kraft Foods(KFT)' Nabisco brand, at his desk, and snacks on them daily, clearly unmoved by the use of wood pulp in its ingredients.

"Most consumers would be shocked to find these types of filler products are used as substitutes for items that they believe are more pure," Yoshikami said. "We would expect increased disclosure to follow increased use of cellulose and other filler products as the practice increases in frequency."

To that end, TheStreet rounded up a list of popular foods that use cellulose. It's by no means an exhaustive list, and we suggest consumers read food labels carefully. Still, click through the slideshow to find out if your favorite foods contain the "all-natural" wood pulp...

 

(Please note the following lists are not exhaustive. Some companies list all ingredients on their Web sites. Other items were found in a local grocery store near TheStreet's headquarters on Wall Street in New York City.)

 

Pepsi (PEP) uses cellulose in the following products:

Aunt Jemima Frozen Blueberry Pancakes

Aunt Jemima Original Syrup

Aunt Jemima Original Syrup

Kellogg (K) uses cellulose in the following products:

MorningStar Farms Chik'n Nuggets

MorningStar Farms Chik Patties Original

Morningstar Farms Buffalo Wings Veggie Wings

Ego Nutri-Grain Blueberry waffles

Eggo Strawberry Waffles

Eggo Blueberry Waffles

Cinnabon Pancakes Original

Cinnabon Pancakes Caramel

Cinnabon Snack Bars Original

Cinnabon Snack Bars Baked Cinnamon Apple

Weight Watchers International (WTW) uses cellulose in the following products:

Vanilla Ice Cream Sandwich

English Toffee Crunch Ice Cream Bar

Giant Cookies & Cream Ice Cream Bar

General Mills (GIS) uses cellulose in the following products:

Fiber One Ready-To-Eat Muffins (Wild Blueberry & Oats; Mixed Fruit, Nuts & Honey; Apple Cinnamon Bun, Banana Chocolate Chip)

Fiber One Original cereal

Fiber One Chewy Bars (90 Calorie Chocolate, 90 Calorie Chocolate Peanut Butter)

Fiber One baking products (Apple Cinnamon Muffin Mix, Banana Nut Muffin Mix, Blueberry Muffin Mix)

Pillsbury Moist Supreme Classic Yellow Cake Mix

Pillsbury Mozzarella and Pepperoni Pastry Puffs

Pillsbury Cheese and Spinach Crescent Pastry Puffs

Pillsbury Artichoke and Spinach Bread Bowl Bites

Pillsbury Buffalo Chicken Crescent Pastry Puffs

Pillsbury Cream Cheese and Jalapeno Bread Bowl Bites

Betty Crocker whipped frostings (Strawberry Mist, Chocolate, Cream Cheese)

Betty Crocker Vanilla Amazing Glazes

Duncan Hines Cake Mixes (Devil's Food Cake Mix, Dark Chocolate Fudge, Strawberry Supreme, Fudge Marble, Classic Yellow, French Vanilla)

McDonald's (MCD) uses cellulose in the following products:

Fish Filet Patty

Crib

Premium Caesar Salad

Chipotle BBQ Snack Wrap

Premium Southwest Salad with Grilled Chicken

Southern Style Chicken Biscuit

Strawberry Sundae

Natural Swiss Cheese (used in McRib, Quarter Pounder with Cheese, Angus Mushroom & Swiss, Premium Grilled Chicken Club Sandwich, Premium Crispy Chicken Club Sandwich, Angus Mushroom & Swiss Snack Wrap)

Shredded Cheddar/Jack Cheese (used in Ranch Snack Wrap (Crispy and Grilled), Honey Mustard Snack Wrap (Crispy and Grilled), Chipotle BBQ Snack Wrap (Crispy and Grilled), Premium Southwest Salad with Grilled Chicken, Premium Southwest Salad with/without Crispy/Grilled Chicken, Premium Bacon Ranch Salad with/without Crispy/Grilled Chicken, McSkillet Burrito with Sausage)

Barbeque Sauce

Sweet 'N Sour Sauce

Shredded Parmesan Cheese (used in Premium Caesar Salad with/without Crispy/Grilled Chicken)

Biscuit (Large and Regular) (used to make Bacon, Egg & Cheese Biscuit, Sausage Biscuit with Egg, Sausage Biscuit, Southern Style Chicken Biscuit, Big Breakfast with/without Hotcakes)

Vanilla Reduced Fat Ice Cream (used in Strawberry Sundae, Hot Caramel Sundae, Hot Fudge Sundae, McFlurry with M&M'S Candies, McFlurry with OREO Cookies, Chocolate Triple Thick Shake, Strawberry Triple Thick Shake, Vanilla Triple Thick Shake)

Sugar Free Vanilla Syrup (used in Premium Roast Coffee, Espresso)

Sara Lee (SLE) uses cellulose in the following products:

Jimmy Dean Frozen Breakfast Bowl (Sausage & Gravy)

Jimmy Dean D-lights Turkey Sausage Breakfast Bowl

Jimmy Dean D-lights Turkey Sausage Croissant

Jimmy Dean Breakfast Entr'e (Scrambled Eggs with Bacon/Sausage and Cheese Diced Apples & Seasoned Hash)

Yum's Brands'(YUM) Taco Bell uses cellulose in the following products:

Southwest Chicken

Caramel Apple Empanada

Corn Tortilla

Enchilada Rice

Nacho Chips

Red Strips

Strawberry Topping

Zesty Dressing

Jack in the Box (JACK) uses cellulose in the following products:

Cheese, Cheddar, Shredded (used in Grilled Chicken Salad, Chicken Club Salad with Crispy Chicken, Meaty Breakfast Burrito, Hearty Breakfast Bowl)

Cheese, Pepper Jack, Shredded (used in Chicken Fajita Pita, Southwest Chicken Salad with Grilled Chicken, Meaty Breakfast Burrito)

Honey Mustard Dipping Sauce

Ice Cream Shake Mix

Log Cabin Syrup

Mini Funnel Cake

Mozzarella Cheese Sticks (also part of Sampler Trio)

Smoothie Base (Mango, Strawberry, Strawberry Banana)

Tortilla, Flour (used for Chorizo Sausage Burrito, Steak & Egg Burrito, Meaty Breakfast Burrito)

White Cheese Sauce (used in Breakfast Bowl (Hearty and Denver))

Kraft Foods (KFT) uses cellulose in the following products:

Wheat Thins Fiber Selects

Frozen Bagel-Fuls

Macaroni & Cheese Thick 'n Creamy

Kraft Macaroni & Cheese Three Cheese W/mini-shell Pasta

 

Yum's Brands'(YUM) Pizza Hut uses cellulose in the following products:

Parmesan Romano Cheese

Taco Bean Sauce

Shredded Cheddar (for Taco Pizza)

Breadstick Seasoning (used to make Cheese Breadsticks)

WingStreet Bone-In (in the batter)

Meatballs (for pasta products, sandwiches)

White Pasta Sauce (used for PastaBakes Marinara, PastaBakes Meatball Marinara, PastaBakes Primavera, PastaBakes Chicken Primavera)

Alfredo Sauce (used for PastaBakes Marinara, PastaBakes Meatball Marinara, PastaBakes Primavera, PastaBakes Chicken Primavera)

Fat Free Ranch Dressing

 

Wendy's Arby’s (WEN) uses cellulose in the following products:

Asiago Cheese (used in Spicy Chicken Caesar Salad, Asiago Ranch Chicken Club, Caesar Side Salad)

Fat Free French Dressing (for Apple Pecan Chicken Salad, Baja Salad, Spicy Chicken Caesar Salad, T Cobb Salad)

Blue Cheese Crumbles (used in Apple Pecan Chicken Salad, BLT Cobb Salad)

Cheddar Pepper Jack Cheese Blend, Shredded

Chocolate Sauce

Coffee Toffee Twisted Frosty (Chocolate, Vanilla)

Frosty (Chocolate and Vanilla)

Frosty Shake (Frosty-cino, Chocolate Fudge, Strawberry, Vanilla Bean)

Milk, 1% Low Fat Chocolate Milk

Sonic (SONC) uses cellulose in the following products:

Ice Cream

Sonic Blast

Banana Split

Ice Cream Cone

Dole Food (DOLE) uses cellulose in the following products:

Peaches & Cr'me Parfait

Apples & Cr'me Parfait

Yum's Brands'(YUM) KFC uses cellulose in the following products:

KFC Cornbread Muffin

Apple Turnover

Honey Mustard BBQ Sauce

Lil' Bucket Strawberry Short Cake Parfait

Lil’ Bucket Lemon Cr'me Parfait

Lil’ Bucket Chocolate Cr'me Parfait

Oreo Cookies and Cr'me Pie Slice

Reese’s Peanut Butter Pie Slice

Popcorn Chicken

Strawberry Cream Cheese Pie Slice

Nestle (NSRGY) uses cellulose in the following products: 

Hot Cocoa Mixes (Mini Marshmallows, Rich Milk Chocolate, Chocolate Mint, Chocolate Caramel)

 Maybe he misses his MacDonald wood chip fix?

To contact the writer of this article, click here: Miriam Reimer.