Japan Beef Ban Prompts U.S. Probe - Yahoo! News: "WASHINGTON - Agriculture Secretary Mike Johanns said Friday the U.S. government is investigating a shipment of American beef to Japan that may have contained material considered at risk for mad cow disease, a discovery that prompted Japan to announce another halt to beef imports.
Johanns ordered several actions intended to reassure the Japanese.
'We take this matter very seriously,' the secretary said in a statement. 'We are in communication with Japanese officials and we will continue that dialogue to assure them that we take this matter very seriously and we are acting swiftly and firmly.'
Johanns said the plant that exported the meat in question is now barred from shipping more beef to Japan. He also said the government inspector who cleared the shipment may be disciplined, and that Agriculture Department investigators are being dispatched to Japan."
Sure they won't let that plant ship any more meat to Japan. But selling it in the U.S? Apparently that's just fine!
Solution? If you must eat beef, find a local farm and buy it from them. Locate a local farm here http://www.eatwild.com/products/index.html CA,too
Or try here: http://www.newfarm.org/farmlocator/index.php
Friday, January 27, 2006
Wednesday, January 18, 2006
Kellogg to face lawsuit over �junk food� ads to kids
Kellogg to face lawsuit over �junk food� ads to kids:
"�Nickelodeon and Kellogg engage in business practices that literally sicken our children. Their marketing tactics are designed to convince kids that everything they hear from their parents about food is wrong. It's a multimedia brainwashing and re-education campaign- and a disease-promoting one at that. And parents are fed up.� said CSPI executive director Michael Jacobson. "
"�Nickelodeon and Kellogg engage in business practices that literally sicken our children. Their marketing tactics are designed to convince kids that everything they hear from their parents about food is wrong. It's a multimedia brainwashing and re-education campaign- and a disease-promoting one at that. And parents are fed up.� said CSPI executive director Michael Jacobson. "
Thursday, January 12, 2006
New Scientist News - Doomsday vault to avert world famine
This isn't exactly about organic foods, but interesting. I wonder if they are including any genetically modified seeds in any of the seed vaults? Seems like leaving them out would be a good idea to me.
New Scientist News - Doomsday vault to avert world famine
New Scientist News - Doomsday vault to avert world famine
Wednesday, January 04, 2006
Combining food additives could harm nervous system, study
Combining food additives could harm nervous system, study: "
21/12/2005 - The combination of common food additives could interfere with the development of the nervous system, raising new concerns about the health implications of children’s diets, according to a new report published today.
21/12/2005 - The combination of common food additives could interfere with the development of the nervous system, raising new concerns about the health implications of children’s diets, according to a new report published today.
Monday, January 02, 2006
United Press International - NewsTrack - Demand rising for healthy, natural food
United Press International - NewsTrack - Demand rising for healthy, natural food:
"The move to 'real' food has legs and will be around for quite a while,' Marc Halperin, director of the Center for Culinary Development in San Francisco, where major food companies turn for trends, told the New York Times"
"The move to 'real' food has legs and will be around for quite a while,' Marc Halperin, director of the Center for Culinary Development in San Francisco, where major food companies turn for trends, told the New York Times"
Wednesday, December 28, 2005
2005 had its share of changes in the food industry
2005 had its share of changes in the food industry:
"COOL, or country of origin labeling, became mandatory at seafood counters. The mandate gives consumers at-a-glance information about imported and domestic sources as well as whether fish has been 'previously frozen' or has 'color added.' The information includes whether the fish is wild-caught or farm-raised.
COOL is scheduled to apply to all produce in 2006."
"COOL, or country of origin labeling, became mandatory at seafood counters. The mandate gives consumers at-a-glance information about imported and domestic sources as well as whether fish has been 'previously frozen' or has 'color added.' The information includes whether the fish is wild-caught or farm-raised.
COOL is scheduled to apply to all produce in 2006."
Organic Valley Culminates 2005 with Launch of 'Generation Organic'
Organic Valley Culminates 2005 with Launch of 'Generation Organic': "Commits to Save the American Family Farmer, an Endangered Species
Sets Sales Record of $245 Million
LAFARGE, Wis., Dec. 19 /PRNewswire/ -- 'Generation Organic,' a campaign to
save the family farmer from extinction by bringing new farmers into organic
agriculture, was announced today by Organic Valley Family of Farms, America's
largest cooperative of organic farmers and one of the country's leading
national organic brands.
'Generation Organic is the 'Endangered Species Protection Act' for the
American family farmer. U.S. farmers have disappeared from the land at the
rate of "
Sets Sales Record of $245 Million
LAFARGE, Wis., Dec. 19 /PRNewswire/ -- 'Generation Organic,' a campaign to
save the family farmer from extinction by bringing new farmers into organic
agriculture, was announced today by Organic Valley Family of Farms, America's
largest cooperative of organic farmers and one of the country's leading
national organic brands.
'Generation Organic is the 'Endangered Species Protection Act' for the
American family farmer. U.S. farmers have disappeared from the land at the
rate of "
Better Beef
Better Beef:
"Grass-fed meat offers richer flavor and more nutrition.
Beef from a cow raised on pasture is even healthier for you than a chicken breast � the white meat that health authorities are so quick to recommend."
"Grass-fed meat offers richer flavor and more nutrition.
Beef from a cow raised on pasture is even healthier for you than a chicken breast � the white meat that health authorities are so quick to recommend."
Tuesday, December 27, 2005
Monday, December 26, 2005
Francis Thicke: How Now, Industrial Cow?
Francis Thicke: How Now, Industrial Cow?:
"Pasture dairies make sense financially. Milk production per cow is less, but milk production per acre, when acres used to grow feed crops are included, is comparable. Studies at the University of Wisconsin show that grazing dairies are as profitable, or more profitable, than industrial dairies.
What's more, cows on pasture are healthier and live longer than those on a high-corn diet, which is not their natural food. And research is beginning to suggest that milk from grazing cows is more healthful because it has higher levels of omega-3 fatty acids, beta carotene and conjugated linoleic acids -- substances that may be useful in helping to prevent heart disease or certain cancers.
Given all these benefits, it is time we get serious about focusing our agricultural research, education and government policy on farming that uses ecology as its guide. And we should begin requiring industrial agriculture to pay for the environmental costs that it imposes on our planet -- costs now borne by society as a whole or charged to future generations."
"Pasture dairies make sense financially. Milk production per cow is less, but milk production per acre, when acres used to grow feed crops are included, is comparable. Studies at the University of Wisconsin show that grazing dairies are as profitable, or more profitable, than industrial dairies.
What's more, cows on pasture are healthier and live longer than those on a high-corn diet, which is not their natural food. And research is beginning to suggest that milk from grazing cows is more healthful because it has higher levels of omega-3 fatty acids, beta carotene and conjugated linoleic acids -- substances that may be useful in helping to prevent heart disease or certain cancers.
Given all these benefits, it is time we get serious about focusing our agricultural research, education and government policy on farming that uses ecology as its guide. And we should begin requiring industrial agriculture to pay for the environmental costs that it imposes on our planet -- costs now borne by society as a whole or charged to future generations."
Bob Scowcroft: Bush's Squeeze on Organic Farmers
Bob Scowcroft: Bush's Squeeze on Organic Farmers:
"The Organic Farming Research Foundation has determined that certified-organic land-grant university research acreage has grown from 151 acres in 2001 to just over 496 acres_this out of a massive 886,000 acres now dedicated to agricultural research.
Five years ago, OFRF published a report identifying the number of organic research projects funded by the USDA. After running 75 key words through the USDA's 30,000 agricultural research projects database, OFRF discovered 34 explicitly organic projects. That translates to barely over one-tenth of 1 percent of our publicly funded agricultural research projects specifically dedicated to organic production practices."
"The Organic Farming Research Foundation has determined that certified-organic land-grant university research acreage has grown from 151 acres in 2001 to just over 496 acres_this out of a massive 886,000 acres now dedicated to agricultural research.
Five years ago, OFRF published a report identifying the number of organic research projects funded by the USDA. After running 75 key words through the USDA's 30,000 agricultural research projects database, OFRF discovered 34 explicitly organic projects. That translates to barely over one-tenth of 1 percent of our publicly funded agricultural research projects specifically dedicated to organic production practices."
Joshua Frank: Organic Inconsistencies
Joshua Frank: Organic Inconsistencies:
"As the organic food industry has matured, USDA standards have waned. Consumers can no longer be confidant that their foods meet organic standards, even if USDA gives it is green mark of approval. "
"As the organic food industry has matured, USDA standards have waned. Consumers can no longer be confidant that their foods meet organic standards, even if USDA gives it is green mark of approval. "
Ellinghuysen.com - 12/15/05 - Report: Organic Food Will Become Mainstream By 2025
Ellinghuysen.com - 12/15/05 - Report: Organic Food Will Become Mainstream By 2025:
"Strong government support will help boost the organics market, said the study, which also predicted that one challenge due to be faced by the industry will be consumer confusion about definitions around the organic labels. "
"Strong government support will help boost the organics market, said the study, which also predicted that one challenge due to be faced by the industry will be consumer confusion about definitions around the organic labels. "
U.S. Consumers Shun Organic Foods Because Of Price
U.S. Consumers Shun Organic Foods Because Of Price: "December 13, 2005
U.S. consumers are among the least likely shoppers from around the world to regularly purchase organic food and beverage products, according to a new online global survey from ACNielsen.
When asked about their purchasing of organic alternatives from 11 food and beverage categories, just six to 15 percent of U.S. consumers said they purchase such products regularly � well short of the average among consumers from all 38 markets included in the study.
Across all regions, the main reason for purchasing organic food and beverages is that consumers believe such products are healthier. The secondary reason cited by consumers in all regions except Europe is the perceived health benefits for the shoppers� children. In Europe, more people cited benefits for the environment as their secondary reason to purchase organics.
For those who never buy organic food or beverage products, which includes 40 to 72 percent of U.S. consumers, depending on the category, the main deterrent is price."
_______________
I'm one of the people in the second catagory. I've started buying organic food for my family, and am finding the meats taste better. Organic carrots are sweeter...there really is a noticeable difference (positive) in most everything I've tried, and I thought there wouldn't be.
And I find I am more aware of our food, since I paid a premium for it. for instance, I save peelings of carrots, celery and onions to use in stocks that I make from the organic chicken bones.
I feel I pay more attention to eating as well. And we are eating salads every night now that I'm paying more for the greens, lol! So yes, organic is more expensive, but worth it to this mom, in more ways that one!
Tracy~
U.S. consumers are among the least likely shoppers from around the world to regularly purchase organic food and beverage products, according to a new online global survey from ACNielsen.
When asked about their purchasing of organic alternatives from 11 food and beverage categories, just six to 15 percent of U.S. consumers said they purchase such products regularly � well short of the average among consumers from all 38 markets included in the study.
Across all regions, the main reason for purchasing organic food and beverages is that consumers believe such products are healthier. The secondary reason cited by consumers in all regions except Europe is the perceived health benefits for the shoppers� children. In Europe, more people cited benefits for the environment as their secondary reason to purchase organics.
For those who never buy organic food or beverage products, which includes 40 to 72 percent of U.S. consumers, depending on the category, the main deterrent is price."
_______________
I'm one of the people in the second catagory. I've started buying organic food for my family, and am finding the meats taste better. Organic carrots are sweeter...there really is a noticeable difference (positive) in most everything I've tried, and I thought there wouldn't be.
And I find I am more aware of our food, since I paid a premium for it. for instance, I save peelings of carrots, celery and onions to use in stocks that I make from the organic chicken bones.
I feel I pay more attention to eating as well. And we are eating salads every night now that I'm paying more for the greens, lol! So yes, organic is more expensive, but worth it to this mom, in more ways that one!
Tracy~
Friday, December 23, 2005
Google Groups : misc.consumers
This is a concern of mine. I'm going to look into just how we here in the US can know that what we are buying is truly organic.
Google Groups : misc.consumers
"Britain's organic food revolution was facing its first serious test
last night after an Observer investigation revealed disturbing levels
of fraud within the industry.
Farmers, retailers and food inspectors have disclosed a catalogue of
malpractice, including producers falsely passing off food as organic
and retailers failing to gain accreditation from independent
inspectors. The findings raise concerns that consumers paying high
premiums for organic food are being ripped off. "
Google Groups : misc.consumers
"Britain's organic food revolution was facing its first serious test
last night after an Observer investigation revealed disturbing levels
of fraud within the industry.
Farmers, retailers and food inspectors have disclosed a catalogue of
malpractice, including producers falsely passing off food as organic
and retailers failing to gain accreditation from independent
inspectors. The findings raise concerns that consumers paying high
premiums for organic food are being ripped off. "
Google Groups : Certified Organic Group
Google Groups : Certified Organic Group
Excessive use of antibiotics by meat producers, 8 times more than in
human medicine, contributes to alarming increase in antibiotic
resistance
WASHINGTON - Every year in the United States 25 million pounds of
valuable antibiotics -- roughly 70 percent of total US antibiotic
production -- are fed to chickens, pigs, and cows for nontherapeutic
purposes like growth promotion, according to a new report from the
Union of Concerned Scientists. This finding -- 40 percent greater than the
estimate of the livestock industry for all animal uses -- is the first
transparent estimate of the quantities of antibiotics used in meat
Excessive use of antibiotics by meat producers, 8 times more than in
human medicine, contributes to alarming increase in antibiotic
resistance
WASHINGTON - Every year in the United States 25 million pounds of
valuable antibiotics -- roughly 70 percent of total US antibiotic
production -- are fed to chickens, pigs, and cows for nontherapeutic
purposes like growth promotion, according to a new report from the
Union of Concerned Scientists. This finding -- 40 percent greater than the
estimate of the livestock industry for all animal uses -- is the first
transparent estimate of the quantities of antibiotics used in meat
Tuesday, December 20, 2005
Guide to Pesticides in Produce - Natural Life Magazine January/February 2004
Guide to Pesticides in Produce - Natural Life Magazine January/February 2004: "Guide to Pesticides in Produce
The Washington D.C.-based Environmental Working Group (EWG) has analyzed over 100,000 U.S. government pesticide test results and found 192 different pesticides on 46 popular fresh fruits and vegetables. At the same time, they have created a new Shopper�s Guide to Pesticides in Produce so that consumers can shop their way to reduced pesticide exposure.
Stonyfield Farm, the world�s largest organic yogurt manufacturer, created the convenient wallet-size Guide to deliver this information to consumers. Downloadable from both www.foodnews.org and www.stonyfield.com, the Guide lists the 12 produce items that are consistently most- and least-contaminated with pesticides.
Consumers who are concerned about eating pesticides can either buy organic produce or use the Shopper�s Guide to choose conventional foods that contain the least pesticide residues. Using this tool can reduce the number of pesticides in produce a person eats by up to 90 percent. "
The Washington D.C.-based Environmental Working Group (EWG) has analyzed over 100,000 U.S. government pesticide test results and found 192 different pesticides on 46 popular fresh fruits and vegetables. At the same time, they have created a new Shopper�s Guide to Pesticides in Produce so that consumers can shop their way to reduced pesticide exposure.
Stonyfield Farm, the world�s largest organic yogurt manufacturer, created the convenient wallet-size Guide to deliver this information to consumers. Downloadable from both www.foodnews.org and www.stonyfield.com, the Guide lists the 12 produce items that are consistently most- and least-contaminated with pesticides.
Consumers who are concerned about eating pesticides can either buy organic produce or use the Shopper�s Guide to choose conventional foods that contain the least pesticide residues. Using this tool can reduce the number of pesticides in produce a person eats by up to 90 percent. "
Saturday, December 17, 2005
When is organic not really organic? | mountvernonnews.com
When is organic not really organic? | mountvernonnews.com:
"The current standard is the U.S. Department of Agriculture's "USDA Organic" seal. Foods bearing this seal must be 95 percent organic and contain 100 percent natural ingredients to be considered organic.
Earlier this year, a federal appeals court ruled that even small amounts of non-organic ingredients such as vitamins, spices, citric acid and carbonation, do not belong in food labeled organic.
The original suit was brought by a Maine organic blueberry farmer. He sued the federal government in 2002 for allowing products containing what are considered synthetic product to be sold as organic. "
"The current standard is the U.S. Department of Agriculture's "USDA Organic" seal. Foods bearing this seal must be 95 percent organic and contain 100 percent natural ingredients to be considered organic.
Earlier this year, a federal appeals court ruled that even small amounts of non-organic ingredients such as vitamins, spices, citric acid and carbonation, do not belong in food labeled organic.
The original suit was brought by a Maine organic blueberry farmer. He sued the federal government in 2002 for allowing products containing what are considered synthetic product to be sold as organic. "
Wednesday, December 14, 2005
Organic Watch: Countering the Corporate Attack on Organic -- The corporate takeover of the organic food industry
Organic Watch: Countering the Corporate Attack on Organic -- The corporate takeover of the organic food industry: "Countering the Corporate Attack on Organics and
Fighting for the Family Farmer
Now that the organic industry has grown to over $12 billion in annual sales, agribusiness and biotechnology giants evidently view organics as a viable threat. Over the past few years they have launched a sophisticated and well-funded corporate attack aimed at discrediting organic food and farming practices.
Although their activities do not seem to have put a dent in sales growth, or consumer support of organic agriculture, nonetheless, their activities, including lawsuits and intimidation from government officials , have organic marketers and consumers rightfully concerned.
Attacks on organics have come from right-wing think tanks, lawsuits from Monsanto, threatening letters from the FDA, and have been facilitated by journalists who are either complacent about or outright hostile to organic agriculture. Some of these attacks have included: "
Fighting for the Family Farmer
Now that the organic industry has grown to over $12 billion in annual sales, agribusiness and biotechnology giants evidently view organics as a viable threat. Over the past few years they have launched a sophisticated and well-funded corporate attack aimed at discrediting organic food and farming practices.
Although their activities do not seem to have put a dent in sales growth, or consumer support of organic agriculture, nonetheless, their activities, including lawsuits and intimidation from government officials , have organic marketers and consumers rightfully concerned.
Attacks on organics have come from right-wing think tanks, lawsuits from Monsanto, threatening letters from the FDA, and have been facilitated by journalists who are either complacent about or outright hostile to organic agriculture. Some of these attacks have included: "
Legacy of farming methods comes home to roost - Opinion - smh.com.au
I'm doing research for a website on organic food that I'll be building next year. What I'm learning is mind-boggling. Notice the highlighted sentence below on the grain it takes to feed the birds, and how we use more grain than we get back in meat.
Legacy of farming methods comes home to roost - Opinion - smh.com.au:
It isn't called 'factory farming' merely because those sheds look like factories. Everything about the production method is geared towards turning live animals into machines for converting grain into meat or eggs at the lowest possible cost.
Walk into such a shed and you will find up to 30,000 chickens. The National Chicken Council, the trade association for the US chicken industry, recommends a stocking density of 85 square inches (548 square centimetres) a bird - less than a standard sheet of typing paper.
snip
Environmentalists say that this production method is unsustainable. It relies on the use of fossil fuel energy to light and ventilate the sheds, and to transport the grain eaten by the chickens. When this grain, which humans could eat, is fed to chickens, they use some of it to create bones, feathers and other body parts that we cannot eat. So we get less food back than we put into the birds - and less protein, too - while disposing of the concentrated chicken manure causes serious pollution to rivers and ground water.
snip
It's short article, worth a read.
Legacy of farming methods comes home to roost - Opinion - smh.com.au:
It isn't called 'factory farming' merely because those sheds look like factories. Everything about the production method is geared towards turning live animals into machines for converting grain into meat or eggs at the lowest possible cost.
Walk into such a shed and you will find up to 30,000 chickens. The National Chicken Council, the trade association for the US chicken industry, recommends a stocking density of 85 square inches (548 square centimetres) a bird - less than a standard sheet of typing paper.
snip
Environmentalists say that this production method is unsustainable. It relies on the use of fossil fuel energy to light and ventilate the sheds, and to transport the grain eaten by the chickens. When this grain, which humans could eat, is fed to chickens, they use some of it to create bones, feathers and other body parts that we cannot eat. So we get less food back than we put into the birds - and less protein, too - while disposing of the concentrated chicken manure causes serious pollution to rivers and ground water.
snip
It's short article, worth a read.
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