[Lapg] Organic Bytes: Biotech Bullying, Horizon Boycott, and More...

Taylor Arneson taylorist at gmail.com
Thu May 22 14:28:41 PDT 2008 

  [image: Organic Consumers
Association]<http://salsa.democracyinaction.org/dia/track.jsp?v=2&c=khEpScN9rEiRaeqVuwxnXLBwCoKhw08u>

*ORGANIC BYTES #135
Health, Justice and Sustainability News Tidbits with an Edge!*
*
5/22/2008*

Written and edited by Craig Minowa and Ronnie Cummins

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*IN THIS ISSUE: *

   - ALERT OF THE WEEK: MAINSTREAM MEDIA ATTEMPTS TO BURY HOMEOPATHY
   - BIOTECH ALERT OF THE WEEK: STOP BUSH'S BIOTECH BULLYING!
   - 'FRANKENFOODS' SURVEY OF THE WEEK: CBS NEWS & NEW YORK TIMES POLL
   CONSUMERS ABOUT GE FOODS
   - RELATED QUOTE OF THE WEEK: BIOTECH CORPORATIONS PREPARE TO PROFIT OFF
   CLIMATE CRISIS WITH NEW 'CLIMATE-READY' GE-PLANTS
   - SUSTAINABILITY FACTS OF THE WEEK: SMALL FARMS ARE MORE PRODUCTIVE AND
   PROFITABLE
   - CAMPAIGN UPDATE: CONSUMER GROUPS PRESSURE USDA TO LAUNCH INVESTIGATION
   OF HORIZON "ORGANIC" FACTORY FARMS
   - WEB PROGRAM OF THE WEEK: NPR TAKES A LOOK AT THE FUTURE OF
   LABORATORY-GROWN MEAT
   - ORGANIC BYTES READERS TALK BACK:
   *ARE THERE ANY RECYCLED HOME WATER FILTRATION SYSTEMS?
   ARE ANY PLASTICS SAFE FOR USE WITH FOOD?*
   - WEB FORUM TOPIC OF THE WEEK: WHOLE FOODS MARKET... AGAIN
   - SPECIAL STATE NEWS AND ALERTS: CA, MD, NE, OR, PA, TX, WA




*ALERT OF THE WEEK:
MAINSTREAM MEDIA ATTEMPTS TO BURY HOMEOPATHY
*Consumer Reports journalist, Doug Podolsky, took a stab at homeopathy in
the recent issue of Consumer Reports. Despite over 200 years of successful
use for a variety of ailments, homeopathy is quackery, according to Podolsky
who writes, "Check whether over-the-counter products are labeled
homeopathic. If they are, we think you should put them back on the
shelf."  Podolsky's Consumer Reports piece references a 2005 study
indicating homeopathy is ineffective, but he fails to mention the study has
since been debunked.Unfortunately, due to the prestige of Consumer Reports,
the article has already gone viral, as marketing firms and pharmaceutical
companies spread it far and wide in an attempt to snuff competition from the
natural health world.
Learn more and take action:
http://www.organicconsumers.org/articles/article_12475.cfm<http://salsa.democracyinaction.org/dia/track.jsp?v=2&c=6RFlzJRfd43yKh%2BdAdim07BwCoKhw08u>

___________________________________



*BIOTECH ALERT OF THE WEEK:
STOP BUSH'S BIOTECH BULLYING!*
According to the Chicago Tribune, the White House is attempting to force
famine stricken countries, mostly in sub-Saharan Africa, to plant
genetically engineered (GE) crops, as part of a $770 million aid package.
Untested and largely unregulated GE crops are controversial, not only in
Europe and other industrialized countries, but in the developing world as
well. At least 40 countries around the world have restricted GE farming and
ingredients in foods by requiring mandatory labeling, while a number of
nations and regions have banned genetically modified organisms in
agriculture altogether. Beyond health and environmental concerns, and
contrary to industry propaganda, GE crops do not significantly increase
yields, but rather force farmers to stop saving their seeds and instead buy
toxic chemicals and highly priced patented seeds from biotech companies such
as Monsanto, Syngenta, Bayer, Dupont, Dow,'s and BASF. Please take action
today and urge your members of Congress to reject the Bush Administration's
force-feeding of biotech crops to impoverished nations:
http://www.organicconsumers.org/articles/article_12463.cfm<http://salsa.democracyinaction.org/dia/track.jsp?v=2&c=lGoTlKRLr36FSGkqbzgBU7BwCoKhw08u>

________________________________

*'FRANKENFOODS' SURVEY OF THE WEEK:
CBS NEWS & NEW YORK TIMES POLL CONSUMERS ABOUT GE FOODS*

   - *53%:* Percentage of polled Americans who say they won't buy food that
   has ingredients from genetically engineered (GE) plants.
   - *65%:* Actual percentage of products on grocery store shelves that
   contain unlabeled GE ingredients (usually soy or corn derived).
   - *90%:* Portion of U.S. grown soybeans that are genetically engineered.
   - *99%:* Estimated likelihood that the U.S. sugar supply will start to be
   sourced from genetically engineered plants this year.

*Learn more:* http://www.organicconsumers.org/articles/article_12246.cfm<http://salsa.democracyinaction.org/dia/track.jsp?v=2&c=5%2Flzl7G8zhoS1Pxk35cUlLBwCoKhw08u>
*Take action:* http://www.organicconsumers.org/articles/article_7031.cfm<http://salsa.democracyinaction.org/dia/track.jsp?v=2&c=FrqnHvMNwEMg%2B6n7vBxu%2FbBwCoKhw08u>

__________________________________

*RELATED QUOTE OF THE WEEK:
BIOTECH CORPORATIONS PREPARE TO PROFIT OFF CLIMATE CRISIS WITH NEW
'CLIMATE-READY' GE-PLANTS *
*"In the face of climate chaos and a deepening world food crisis, the Gene
Giants are gearing up for a PR offensive to re-brand themselves as climate
saviors. The companies hope to convince governments and reluctant consumers
that genetic engineering is the essential adaptation strategy to insure
agricultural productivity. Globally, the top 10 seed corporations already
control 57% of commercial seed sales. This is a bid to capture as much of
the rest of the market as possible."*

Source: Hope Shand, Research Director of ETC Group (Action Group on Erosion,
Technology and Concentration), speaks of the recent research indicating that
the world's largest biotech companies are developing and patenting hundreds
of varieties of new "climate ready" genetically engineered crops designed to
supposedly endure the worst of global climate change. The ETC Group is
mobilizing people around the world to censure these companies for focusing
on profitable ways of taking advantage of the climate crisis, rather than
looking for solutions to the actual problem.
http://www.organicconsumers.org/articles/article_12278.cfm<http://salsa.democracyinaction.org/dia/track.jsp?v=2&c=5U2ffAUxeVfyHCOQyWprW0BMwjWNO1VA>

__________________________________

*SUSTAINABILITY FACTS OF THE WEEK:
SMALL FARMS ARE MORE PRODUCTIVE AND PROFITABLE *

   - A 1,000 acre U.S. corporate farm growing genetically engineered crops
   nets an average of $39 an acre.
   - In contrast, a four-acre family farm nets, on average, $1,400 per acre.
   - Small organic farms are proving to be even more profitable. With oil
   prices on the rise, growing food without petroleum-based
   pesticides/fertilizers, and delivering that food to local markets will
   quickly prove to be the most affordable food available.

*Source:* New York Times
http://www.organicconsumers.org/articles/article_12216.cfm<http://salsa.democracyinaction.org/dia/track.jsp?v=2&c=us88nvKFfrRHArTnQ7tGk7BwCoKhw08u>

___________________________________

*CAMPAIGN UPDATE:
CONSUMER GROUPS PRESSURE USDA TO LAUNCH INVESTIGATION OF HORIZON "ORGANIC"
FACTORY FARMS*
The Organic Consumers Association (OCA) filed a letter with USDA this week
supporting a legal complaint that calls for an investigation of the two
factory farms that the Horizon organic dairy company manages and sources for
a significant portion of their "organic" dairy products. As discussed in
previous issues of Organic Bytes, since 2006, the OCA has called for a
boycott of Horizon's (Dean Foods) dairy products, due to the corporation's
practice of packing as many as 8,000 cattle onto feedlots, with little or no
access to pasture, and then misleadingly labeling these products as
"organic". OCA's ally, The Cornucopia Institute has filed several legal
complaints with the USDA, demanding an investigation of the factory farms,
but such requests have, thus far, fallen on deaf ears. Serving as a
representative for our 850,000 members, volunteers and subscribers, the OCA
is putting heat on the USDA to investigate and sanction the Horizon factory
farms.
*Learn more:* http://wwww.organicconsumers.org/sos.cfm<http://salsa.democracyinaction.org/dia/track.jsp?v=2&c=pIfow5U4pD1FTvXZ5uNWNLBwCoKhw08u>

  DONATE HERE!
HELP OCA FIGHT FOR HEALTH, JUSTICE, & THE ENVIRONMENT

*Support OCA with your stimulus check.
During a recession, nonprofits need private donor help more than ever.
[image: Donate Now!]<http://salsa.democracyinaction.org/dia/track.jsp?v=2&c=EyqxVbada%2Bc1Q%2BE4z3MlmbBwCoKhw08u>
*
http://www.organicconsumers.org/donations.htm<http://salsa.democracyinaction.org/dia/track.jsp?v=2&c=fLIFo4LQGYdKtx%2FXh4H4RrBwCoKhw08u>

_________________________________

*WEB PROGRAM OF THE WEEK:
NPR TAKES A LOOK AT THE FUTURE OF LABORATORY-GROWN MEAT*
For many years, scientists have been capable of culturing cells in
laboratories in order to grow skin and tissue for medical purposes. The
process is now becoming inexpensive enough to consider growing meat in
laboratories for consumer use. Organizations like PETA (People for the
Ethical Treatment of Animals) are all for it. It's not a biotech process,
and it's not cloning, it's just a matter of giving cells the nutrients they
need to replicate and create the tissue and muscle that makes up what
carnivores call "meat". But other experts are concerned about the amount of
energy consumption required by the process. So is it good or bad? Listen to
this National Public Radio special program on synthetically grown meats and
decide for yourself:
http://www.organicconsumers.org/articles/article_12464.cfm<http://salsa.democracyinaction.org/dia/track.jsp?v=2&c=%2BJZ%2FrIUr8cv01fwEDz2YMbBwCoKhw08u>

*Talk about it in OCA's web forum (under the "Topic of the Week"): *
http://www.organicconsumers.org/forum/<http://salsa.democracyinaction.org/dia/track.jsp?v=2&c=drUcQ88P1XxIThPOpY4DBLBwCoKhw08u>

_________________________________

*ORGANIC BYTES READERS TALK BACK*

*ARE THERE ANY RECYCLED HOME WATER FILTRATION SYSTEMS?
**READER'S QUESTION:* A reader writes to us regarding our article calling on
readers to pressure Brita to begin recycling their water filters, as they do
in Europe: *"I  do happen to use the Brita filter system. It would be
wonderful if the Brita company did do recycled water filters. However, I do
not know of any other water filtration, or water filter systems who do have
a recycled filter system in place. Are you aware of any? Frankly, I felt I
was doing so well with water filter systems as opposed to packaged bottle
water, that I did not really think about how the filters could be 'recycled
manufactured'."*

*OCA RESPONSE: *Yes, as noted in our article, using the Brita water
filtration systems is a much better option, environmentally speaking, than
buying bottled water. As for companies that offer home water filter
recycling, you could check out
http://www.terraflo.com<http://salsa.democracyinaction.org/dia/track.jsp?v=2&c=iVGPJ9xxrdhWkpDx61e0l7BwCoKhw08u>&
http://www.abundantearth.com/store/countertopfilter.html<http://salsa.democracyinaction.org/dia/track.jsp?v=2&c=5xZxCtiLIi1tamxO%2FuC8v7BwCoKhw08u>
If you have a Brita system already, you can send those used filters to
http://www.takebackthefilter.org<http://salsa.democracyinaction.org/dia/track.jsp?v=2&c=drUcQ88P1XymhbLp3aHpTrBwCoKhw08u>

*------------------------------------*

*ARE ANY PLASTICS SAFE FOR USE WITH FOOD?*
*READER'S QUESTION: *In the last issue of Organic
Bytes<http://salsa.democracyinaction.org/dia/track.jsp?v=2&c=pW31kbd10n3E5SHNp9mobrBwCoKhw08u>,
we published a "Users Guide to Plastics" to help consumers understand what
those little numbers on the bottom of plastic products mean. Here is what
one reader had to say: *"My comment was to the list of plastics published in
your last bulletin. You say that PET (#1) "poses low risk of leaching
breakdown products". But one of the substances of the PET is phthalates,
which is a hormone disruptor. It leaches into the liquid and poses a health
risk."*

*OCA RESPONSE:* Yes, you are correct. As a note, the posted plastics guide
is relative. We always recommend consumers look for glass, aluminum or tin
as an option over any plastic packaged product. If you need to buy plastic,
PET (#1) is one of the safest options over some of the other plastics, but
all plastics demonstrate varying levels of leaching, particularly when
heated. Avoid hot liquids in plastic containers. Also avoid microwaving
plastics or placing them in dishwashers.

__________________________________



*WEB FORUM TOPIC OF THE WEEK:
WHOLE FOODS MARKET... AGAIN*
In the last issue of Organic Bytes, we invited you to share experiences
you've had with Whole Foods Market and/or opinions you have about the good
and bad elements of the natural foods chain in comparison to locally owned
co-ops and natural products stores.  Unfortunately, our web forum crashed
shortly after Organic Bytes was sent out to our list, and many of you wrote
to us expressing that you'd like to post your thoughts once the web forum
was fixed.  Well, it's fixed.  So let's give this another shot. If you are
new to our forum, it's a place where thousands of like-minded folk are
having online discussions about everything from gardening, to natural
health, to politics.  Check it out:
http://www.organicconsumers.org/forum/<http://salsa.democracyinaction.org/dia/track.jsp?v=2&c=%2F1%2BcJ7Ux7HTYb35MffZePrBwCoKhw08u>

___________________________________

Bookmark http://Organicconsumers.org<http://salsa.democracyinaction.org/dia/track.jsp?v=2&c=IimMqems5fiZ6VbtoU8XgbBwCoKhw08u>as
your daily source of
news, analysis and inspiration.

___________________________________

*SPECIAL STATE NEWS AND ALERTS

*

CALIFORNIA: Support Green Jobs in California:
http://salsa.democracyinaction.org/o/642/t/1961/campaign.jsp?campaign_KEY=24045<http://salsa.democracyinaction.org/dia/track.jsp?v=2&c=%2F1%2BcJ7Ux7HSzXHVi12QvULBwCoKhw08u>

MARYLAND: SweatFree MD campaign continues, new legislative update from the
Progressive States Network:
http://www.organicconsumers.org/state/md.cfm<http://salsa.democracyinaction.org/dia/track.jsp?v=2&c=shtmmA0iXdCam8iAx7Q5sbBwCoKhw08u>

NEBRASKA - Decline to Sign: An initiative is underway to ban affirmative
action, billed as the "Civil Rights Initiative," which is an intentionally
misleading campaign that should not succeed.
http://www.organicconsumers.org/state/ne.cfm<http://salsa.democracyinaction.org/dia/track.jsp?v=2&c=inzb3AMp4c%2BBqOj%2FmQPBa7BwCoKhw08u>

OREGON: Whole Foods Breaks Their Promise--Support United Farm Workers:
http://www.ufwaction.org/campaign/wholefoods508/<http://salsa.democracyinaction.org/dia/track.jsp?v=2&c=MJf9GxlBNUbu%2FpNKHxbpQrBwCoKhw08u>

PENNSYLVANIA: Take Action! Help Pennsylvania's Farmer's Transition to
Organic!http://www.organicconsumers.org/state/PA.cfm
<http://salsa.democracyinaction.org/dia/track.jsp?v=2&c=UPIh%2BlgkkSWJLMuPH8nUBLBwCoKhw08u>
http://salsa.democracyinaction.org/o/642/campaign.jsp?campaign_KEY=24644<http://salsa.democracyinaction.org/dia/track.jsp?v=2&c=Kza0nM%2BjElD9Na%2BymTYa3rBwCoKhw08u>

TEXAS: Tell Congressman Joe Barton that His Opposition to a Renewable
Electricity Standard Hurts Our Planet and Our Economy:
http://salsa.democracyinaction.org/o/642/campaign.jsp?campaign_KEY=24650<http://salsa.democracyinaction.org/dia/track.jsp?v=2&c=buzjzVCKFLf5h2BIl2%2FEPLBwCoKhw08u>

WASHINGTON: Don't Let the Pesticide Industry Gain Control of Pesticide
Incident Reporting:
http://salsa.democracyinaction.org/o/642/campaign.jsp?campaign_KEY=24649<http://salsa.democracyinaction.org/dia/track.jsp?v=2&c=lvOlCn5dB1h72oeJn36%2BXbBwCoKhw08u>

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________________________

*EDEN FOODS OFFERS OCA CUSTOMERS 15% DISCOUNT*

Eden Foods is one of the few national organic food producers who goes beyond
the USDA Organic Standards. Although Eden Foods is USDA certified, their
products do not bear the USDA seal, because they say the USDA standard
really represents a "minimum standard" that Eden Foods goes far beyond. As a
subscriber to Organic Bytes, you can enjoy a discount rate on any Eden Foods
products by clicking
here<http://salsa.democracyinaction.org/dia/track.jsp?v=2&c=jAHqPjhXPf%2FJiBKQ5DWC80BMwjWNO1VA>



*Please forward this publication to family and friends, place it on web
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*NOTE TO CO-OP AND NATURAL FOOD STORE SUBSCRIBERS:*
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*Please forward this publication to family and friends, place it on web
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__________________________________

*NOTE TO CO-OP AND NATURAL FOOD STORE SUBSCRIBERS:*
Organic Bytes is a great tool for keeping your staff and customers up to
date on the latest issues. Feel free to forward this email to your staff and
print for posting on bulletin boards and staff break tables. You are also
welcome to use this material for your newsletters. There's an attractive
print-friendly PDF version of this available for free download at
http://www.organicconsumers.org/organicbytes.cfm<http://salsa.democracyinaction.org/dia/track.jsp?v=2&c=TV58q%2Frxts6MSwHyP5QZErBwCoKhw08u>

_________________________________
ORGANIC BYTES is a publication of:
ORGANIC CONSUMERS ASSOCIATION
6771 South Silver Hill Drive
Finland, Minnesota 55603
Phone: (218)- 226-4164 Fax: (218) 353-7652
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