Wednesday, April 05, 2006

Groups Protest Carbon Monoxide Use in Meat

Groups Protest Carbon Monoxide Use in Meat:

"Berdahl said Tuesday that carbon monoxide-treated meat could be left on the kitchen counter for five days and would still look bright red and fresh. Carbon monoxide 'also suppresses bad odors and the presence of slime, other telltale signs that meat is spoiled,' Kalsec's petition said.

The petition said treated meat could hide the growth of pathogens such as Clostridium botulinum, Salmonella and E. coli."

Chicago Tribune | City considers meat packaging ban

Chicago Tribune City considers meat packaging ban

Packs of rotted hamburger were dropped on a table before Chicago aldermen Thursday as evidence that new packaging techniques used by some meat processors can mislead consumers about food safety.The city may ban the relatively new practice of using carbon monoxide, a highly toxic gas, to make even rotten meat look fresh.The American Meat Institute, an industry group that opposes the ban, said the gas is used only to remove oxygen from packages and actually gives the consumer a better tasting product.

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Chicago Tribune | City considers meat packaging ban

Chicago Tribune City considers meat packaging ban

Packs of rotted hamburger were dropped on a table before Chicago aldermen Thursday as evidence that new packaging techniques used by some meat processors can mislead consumers about food safety.The city may ban the relatively new practice of using carbon monoxide, a highly toxic gas, to make even rotten meat look fresh.The American Meat Institute, an industry group that opposes the ban, said the gas is used only to remove oxygen from packages and actually gives the consumer a better tasting product.

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Saturday, March 25, 2006

cbs5.com - Wal-Mart Move To Organic Could Shake Retail World

cbs5.com - Wal-Mart Move To Organic Could Shake Retail World

This is very interesting. I'm wondering what impact this will have on Certified Organic Standards as more product suppliers want a piece of the ever-increasing organic pie. Will agricultural interests be successful in weakening them? Or will this bring more awareness, and more insistence on tight standards?

http://www.OrganicFoodsMom.com

Saturday, March 18, 2006

Kids Even More Vulnerable to Pesticides Than Previously Believed, Study Shows

Kids Even More Vulnerable to Pesticides Than Previously Believed, Study Shows: "'Children are born with lower levels of our bodies' natural defenses against toxic pesticides,' said Dr. Gina Solomon, M.D., a physician and senior scientist at NRDC. 'Unfortunately, the officials responsible for keeping kids safe are ignoring the clear scientific evidence confirming that we need stronger protection for the most vulnerable among us.'"

snip

EPA banned chlorpyrifos and diazinon for household use in December 2001 and December 2002 respectively, largely due to their hazards to children, but allowed continued use on agricultural crops. More than 1.5 million pounds of chlorpyrifos were used in California in 2003. The top uses were on cotton, alfalfa, almonds and walnuts. More than 500,000 pounds of diazinon were used in California in 2003, mostly on lettuce, peaches, almonds, prunes and spinach. Nationwide, the organophosphate pesticides account for 70 percent of all insecticides used, with 73 million pounds sold in 2001

Vist Organic-Foods-Mom.com for more information on why organic foods are better for kids!

Tuesday, March 14, 2006

GE rice found in Heinz baby cereal in China: Greenpeace+

GE rice found in Heinz baby cereal in China: Greenpeace+

"The result is truly shocking," Fung said. "This is the first time that illegal GE rice ingredients have been found in baby food products, a category that should be subject to the most stringent control."Selling GE food is illegal in China, which put into force the U.N. Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety in September last year. The protocol regulates international trade, handling and use of GE organisms.

Saturday, February 11, 2006

U.S.'s DESPERATE EFFORTS UNLIKELY TO SUCCEED IN FORCING GM FOOD ACCEPTANCE

GMWatch.org


People say "No" as WTO decision expected (6/2/2006)
Very good press release with multiple links at end to polls around the world that demonstrate that people do not want GM crops and foods and that even in the US the great majority want the choice through mandatory labelling.

WTO GMO decision expected tomorrow: Evidence shows the US's desperate efforts unlikely to succeed in forcing GM food acceptanceGeneWatch UK Press ReleaseMonday 6th February 2006 - for immediate release

Today, GeneWatch UK is publishing a summary of public attitudes research from around the world that has been collected since the WTO GMO dispute began in 2003. It shows public hostility to GM crops remains widespread and indicates that the tactics of the US and biotechnology industry are unlikely to succeed in opening markets for GM [1]. The opinion poll and research findings come from a wide spread of countries, including South Africa, China, Japan, Mali, Canada and Europe. They demonstrate that people remain unconvinced about GM crops and foods and, even in the US, the great majority want the choice through mandatory labelling.

Tuesday, February 07, 2006

The Center for Food Safety - Genetically Engineered Food

The Center for Food Safety - Genetically Engineered Food: "Currently, up to 45 percent of U.S. corn is genetically engineered as is 85 percent of soybeans. It has been estimated that 70-75 percent of processed foods on supermarket shelves--from soda to soup, crackers to condiments--contain genetically engineered ingredients. "

You won't be able to tell from the labels though. The U.S. has no requirement that genetically modified food ingredients be listed on foods. It hasn't been safety tessted, either. If this pisses you off, too, please make your voice heard by filling out this short form to let the FDA know you want testing and labeling of GE food: http://ga3.org/campaign/labelandtestgefood

Monday, February 06, 2006

New Rules Govern Use of Data From Testing Pesticides on People

New Rules Govern Use of Data From Testing Pesticides on People: "Erik D. Olson, a senior attorney at the advocacy group Natural Resources Defense Council, said the new rules may lead to more pesticide testing on people because they will allow manufacturers to conduct 'observational tests' that monitor individuals' everyday exposure to toxic chemicals.
'We're going to have weaker public health protections, more pesticides on people's foods, and a huge increase in the number of unethical and unscientific studies using human beings as guinea pigs,' Olson said."

Friday, January 27, 2006

Japan Beef Ban Prompts U.S. Probe - Yahoo! News

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

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. "

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

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.

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"