· BBQ Goes Organic

· Pesticide Levels on Fruits/Vegetables Questioned by Consumer Reports

· Organic Farmers Sue EPA over Genetically Altered Plants

· WWOF Organic Chain of Custody <organews2.htm>

· Greening up Your Private Label Capitalizing on an Organic-Friendly Marketplace <organews3.htm>

BBQ Goes Organic

Ready for grilling season? Organic farmers and ranchers around the country certainly are. They're celebrating the U.S.D.A.'s decision earlier this year to permit meat, poultry, and egg products to be labeled "certified organic." Although the U.S.D.A. is still grappling with a standard definition for organic, meat producers can have their products certified by an independent agency's production standards, which, among other things, prohibit farmers from giving antibiotics to animals and require that animals be allowed to roam freely outdoors and be fed only organic products.

From BON APPETIT
July '99, pg.133

Pesticide Levels on Fruits/Vegetables
Questioned by Consumer Reports

A widely publicized study by Consumer Union questioned the levels of pesticides found on fruits and vegetables and the effect they may have on children. "Some fruits and vegetables have pesticide residues that could be unsafe for young children, and the government is not doing enough about it," claimed the report published in the March issue of Consumer Reports. The highest levels of pesticides were found in peaches, winter squash, apples, green beans, pears, and spinach while bananas and apple juice were found to contain the lowest. Consumer Reports did state that children should continue to eat fruits and vegetables and recommended the purchase of organically grown fruits and vegetables whenever possible. Data was collected by USDA focusing on 27,000 samples of 27 food categories tested from '94-'97, domestic and imported. The effects of various chemicals were assessed on how they would affect a 44-pound child, usually an average 5 year old.

Organic Farmers Sue EPA Over Genetically Altered Plants

Environmentalists and Organic Farmers filed a lawsuit against the Environmental Protection Agency due to their approval of crops that are genetically altered to produce Bt, Bacillus thuringiensis, is a nontoxic bacterium that produces toxins to kill insects. Organic farmers are permitted to use Bt, which is sometimes their only emergency pest control option. The complaints say the crops pose environmental risks that will change the ecological balance and hurt organic farmers who do not want to use and may be prohibited from using, genetically altered crops. They are concerned that insects will become resistant to Bt, giving organic farmers no alternative in controlling insects. The lawsuit requests that EPA cancel registration of all genetically engineered Bt plants and cease approval of new ones.

 

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