Organic food industry says program's integrity threatened by USDA changes

[CShine]

A showdown is taking shape over the nation's organic food standards, triggered by a spate of recent rule changes that some producers and activists say are setting a pattern that could eventually render the organic label meaningless.

The changes in the National Organic Program standards, made in April, expand the use of antibiotics and hormones in organic dairy cows, allow more pesticides in the organic arsenal and for the first time let organic livestock eat potentially contaminated fishmeal. Program administrators also reversed themselves and said seafood, pet food and body care products can use "organic" on their labels without meeting any standards at all.

And in what the $11 billion organic food industry, consumer and farm groups call a dangerous precedent, program administrators made last month's changes in three "guidances" and one "directive" without seeking public comment or consulting with their own advisers on the National Organics Standards Board.

"This is hugely terrible for the organic industry," said Nancy Hirshberg, a vice president at Stonyfield Farm, a New Hampshire organic dairy. "It's a real weakening of the standards. And it could have the effect of weakening consumer confidence in the organic label."

http://www.chron.com/cs/CDA/ssistory.mpl/nation/2587092

[Karenina]

1. Surprise, surprise...

surprise. They POISON YOU with IMPUNITY.

[Alerter_]

2. Corporations want to STEAL the "Organic" brand

These food corporations are shameless - they don't want to have to label anything, they sue to make sure natural foods can't be labeled for their health benefits, and now they want to steal the "Organic" label that all of these super-nature eco-types built up over the years.

These food corporations are just a bunch of crooks. Arthur Daniels Midland - the biggest corporate welfare queen in the US, Nabisco, "Altria" the tobacco company, etc.

[indepat]

3. And we were about to commit to a major increase in our food budget

for organic food because of the liver damage my wife suffered through taking cholesterol-lowering medicine, but will it now make any difference other than doubling or tripling our food budget for we will now surely get tainted "organic" food? Sadly, this policy is but one of literally hundreds of policies crafted by this Administration to reward corporate patrons at the expense of/to the detriment of we the people. And the mainstream media and far too many of the public mostlt still shill for the man, his policies, his wars, his PNAC dream. Way beyond sick!

[happynewyear]

6. I've been doing the organic thing for about a year now

and my health has improved. I had surgery in November and made it through and healed quickly which was not expected.

Not all companies are hooked into this. I'd suggest shopping at a co-op if you have one nearby and purchase foods grown locally at farmer's markets. It is difficult admittedly, but not impossible.

You can also buy macrobiotic foods from a place called "Gold Mine Natural Foods" - they have the highest possible standards for foods (all are Kosher and inspected, etc.). Link to their website: http://www.goldminenaturalfood.com/

While macrobiotic foods are very expensive, organic foods aren't necessarily that much more. It depends largely on where you live.

Best of luck.

[jdj]

9. It's all about the brands and companies.

Like Ben& Jerry's label their ice cream as not containing rBGH
although they don't have too and there is no visible difference in milk with or without it.

Sadly, non-educated people will be taken in, but those in the know won't. If you're worried the best thing to do is go to the health foods stores (Whole Foods, Earthfare, etc, whatever is in your area) and make note of the brands that say organic now. So many of these companies are extremely ethical and were started by people who went organic themselves. They will probably find a new labeling system to differentiate themselves from any changes, saying what set of standards by which they label themselves to be organic. The people who produce organic foods are some of the most, ethical, committed and passionate people you will meet, and they will find a way to distinguish their products as superior, as I am sure their customers will demand it.

I wouldn't buy any food labeled "organic" from a regular supermarket, especially a walmart type franchise, just as it doesn't pay to buy herbs and vitamins from these places since as supplements are not regulated by the FDA and don't have to actually contain what the label says.

As far as produce, you can talk to the produce manager at your local health food stores or co-op. Ask them what they plan to do in response to this corporate coup on organic standards.

As someone who has worked in healthfood stores, I can tell you so many of the people in these places are extremely well educated about foods, vitamins, minerals, etc, and love to help educate people. They will know what companies and growers can be trusted.

[loudsue]

4. This is a complete OUTRAGE!!

I buy organic food of every kind, partially to support organic farmers, and partially to support my body & the bodies of my loved ones. (Not to mention that organics usually taste SOOOOO much better!)

This issue needs to go out to all the health food & herbal suppliers all over the country. This is a travesty AND I WILL NOT TOLERATE IT!

If my senators & reps don't step in and thwart this ruling, we're going to have people camping on the steps of their offices. We need to gather at the steps of the congressional building until this gets changed.

Legalized poisoning and fraud are just too far for these assholes to go!

:kick:

[Massacure]

5. I never had a beef against GMO before.

But this really pisses me off now. People deserve the right to choose without being ripped off.

[Free_Thinker]

7. Vitamins

Then the capitalist elites want us to have to get a prescription to buy vitamins. Make a doctor richer.
Don't get me started....

[NashVegas]

8. Surprisingly

There's nothing about this on Wild Oats' website.

I guess it shouldn't be, considering their parking lots are filled with more SUVs than ever, and Pete's is being replaced with Budweiser in the beer section.

Conventional producers are seeing the higher price tags on organic foods and want in on the action, without having to compromise their weak standards.

[SpiralHawk]

10. Join or start a Community Farm (CSA)

Because this mess is going to get a lot worse before it gets better. CSA farms are true Homeland Security --

http://www.chiron-communications.com/farms-1.html

[theoceansnerves]

11. screw the USDA--- look for food labeled

as certified organic under the CALIFORNIA ORGANIC FOODS ACT OF 1990. this certification was and always will be more strict than the usda guidelines. many companies still have their foods certified using the california guidelines. right now this is your only way to be sure than the organic food you are eating really is organic! that's right, our 13 year old act is better and more strict than the USDA's which is 1.5 years old-- go figure!