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The definition of Vegetable

Dear members of the congress of the united states of America:

I am deeply offended that the term "vegetable", long since redefined to specifically exclude most monocots(which are redefined as grains) and most fruiting bodies containing large amounts of sugar(redefined as "fruit"), is used in food labeling to indicate the use of a plant-based oil. This indication only benefits the oilseed industry, which is enriched greatly by the use of this term in food labeling.

Food typically does not contain oils which are not of a plant origin. Therefore the use of vegetable is superfluous, but semantically it also has no benefit to the consumer in that the term means "healthy"- as in "servings of fruits and vegetables", from the dietary pyramids we use to teach our children to make healthy choices. The consumer sees the term "vegetable oil" and thinks that this means this is something good or healthy about their dietary choice, even when the product they may be consuming is a very unhealthy option in general.

I believe that this is free marketing benefiting the oilseed industry and that it needs to stop. I seek the help of congress to cause the term 'vegetable oil' to be prohibited from use in food labeling, instead being substituted with the term "seed oil". Generally, all oils sold for human consumption are extracted from a seed except palm oil, which is unhealthy for the earth and a massive part of the ecological sustainability issues facing humanity today. It is also an industrial product that is not exported or produced by the farmers of the united states.

Culinarily and botanically speaking, a vegetable is today generally considered to mean the green vegetative shoots, leaves, and flowers of annual or perennial plants which are edible contain the necessary and bio-available amounts of vitamins A, C and K to sustain life, among other nutritional factors including dietary fiber. The definition of vegetable may also include the tubers, roots, seeds and fruits of the same plants. Grains are not considered to be vegetables, and while the seed of a vegetable may be edible and nutritious, it is not vegetative matter containing the beta-carotene, ascorbic acid, and phylloquinone needed for life. Seed oils do not contain vitamins A,C,K, or fiber, and should not be considered "vegetables" by consumers. Please give the necessary orders and enact the necessary laws required to correct this oversight.

Sincerely Yours.