The Center for Food Safety has announced an immediate challenge to the USDA’s unregulated approval of Monsanto’s genetically-modified (GMO) alfalfa. “All farmers should be on notice that we will be suing again, so before they make their seed buying decisions, I would certainly caution them that we will be in court,” CFS’s Andrew Kimbrell told […]
Yesterday, we reported how the Organic Consumers Association was accusing what they called “the organic elite” of caving to Monsanto and facilitating the USDA’s unrestricted approval of GMO alfalfa – a move that could seriously undermine the integrity of organic foods. Update: Organic Valley has also weighed in. See: Organic Valley says ‘No compromise, no […]
UPDATE: For the other side of this issue, see “Stonyfield Farm Takes a Swing at Monsanto (And the OCA)” and “Organic Valley says ‘No compromise, no deal’ “ Organics is big business now. Companies like Whole Foods and Stonyfield Farm do billions of dollars in business. And in the fallout of this week’s approval of […]
The USDA has approved Monsanto’s gene-modified alfalfa. “So what?” you say. “I don’t eat alfalfa.” But if you eat beef, drink milk, eat cheese or ice cream, or eat any packaged food products that contain dairy, you DO eat alfalfa… as processed by cows. Alfalfa is the backbone of the agribusiness beef and dairy industry. […]
I remember the first time I wore a seatbelt. It was 1964 and I was nine. My dad had them installed in our Chevrolet Bel Air Station Wagon. The lack of seat belts was only one of many safety deficiencies of that vehicle! Obviously there have been vast improvements in the safety of car travel […]
UPDATE: We spoke too soon! In one of the most uncharacteristic moves of this entire Congressional session, Republican opposition melted away on Sunday, the bill was dropped back onto the Senate calendar and minutes later passed by unanimous vote. See our coverage, “Zombie Food Safety Act Resurrected by Senate“ This time it looks like it’s […]
For a few days it looked like the controversial Food Safety Modernization Act (S 510) was dead in the water. Technical issues meant it was unlikely to make it through both houses in the last, crazy days of the current Congress. But it now appears that it WILL make it through – it’s been attached […]
There are lots of well intended efforts underway to increase the “sustainability” of fresh fruit and vegetable production. This includes a recent announcement from Wal-Mart saying that they want to use their influence in the market to drive positive change. All these efforts focus on how efficiently farmers use land, fertilizer, fuel, electricity, water and […]
Last year, Forbes magazine named Monsanto company of the year. Last year, Monsanto made more than $4 billion in profits. That was last year. This year, Monsanto is tanking. Here’s what Forbes has to say this year: Forbes made Monsanto the company of the year last year inThe Planet Versus Monsanto. I know because I […]
UPDATE: Blackwater/Xe has been sold – via a shell company and a pair of private equity firms. So… does this mean Monsanto has actually bought in to Blackwater? Read our follow-up, “Did Monstanto Finally Buy Blackwater? There’s No Way to Know”. How do Internet lies get spread? By well-meaning people who pass things on without checking. […]
Bisphenol A (BPA) is a chemical used in can linings and hard plastics. It’s been around for a while and is widely used. And chances are, you have it in your system as we speak. With such common usage of the chemical, what are people making a fuss about?
M S Swaminathan, ‘The Father of Economic Ecology’ is on record as saying that GMOs shouldn’t be grown in or marketed to the developed world, where they aren’t necessary, but should be created for the developing world, to meet the food needs of large populations living in poverty and to allow such nations to develop a reliable food surplus that they can sell to the developed world.
The National Intelligence Council forecasts that the world would see tremendous economic growth but it would come at a big environmental and human cost.
On September 30th, six years after Congress originally passed the law, the United States will implement a country of origin labeling program for supermarket foods.
The Democratic National Convention Denver Host committee has released a statement clarifying an earlier position about the requirements for the food service at the August convention. After receiving lots of unwanted attention, officials now say the requirements are only “guidelines.”