Organic news articles

Here we provide organic news articles and links to related articles and websites. You will be given helpful links where you can learn more. An informed consumer is a smart consumer.

FDA Product Recall List

The Chief of the UN World Food Programme, Josette Sheeran, is calling for urgent action to help those who are having difficulty buying food. Millions around the world are going hungry because of rising food prices. Staple crops like corn, soy and wheat have soared in price. Part of the problem is the amount of land being designated for biofuel development, which takes away from land used to grow food. To learn more, click on the link to the BBC News article here.

Link to Alternet article on Monsanto and rBGH-free labeling for milk

The dangers of lead

Recent studies have found non-organic popcorn to be one of the top 10 foods most contaminated with toxic chemicals. Moreover, diethyl in buttered microwave popcorn has been found, when eaten in large quantities, to damage lung tissue. To find healthier organic popping kernels and microwave popcorn, visit organic snacks.

House bill passed to fund changes to FDA's handling of food safety

The soft drink giant Pepsi recently admitted that its best-selling bottled water Aquafina is nothing more than tap water. They will be changing labels on their bottles to reflect this. This scandal also highlights the U.S. obsession with bottled water, and how states need to reassess the impact of spending on bottled water, rather than examining the adequacy of its municipal water system. You can read more about bottled water at our drinking water information page.

E-magazine article on the FDA and food irradiation

If you're looking for a cool travel idea, visit the Tour d'organics website, to learn where you can take bicycling trips through Oregon or California, while stopping to eat fresh, organic food. You can check their latest schedule on their website.



Consumer Alert: The USDA is playing with the "95% organic" label, allowing companies to use the label, while including questionable ingredients. To read more about it, and to learn how you can take action against this move, go to the Organicconsumers.org information page.

Food additives and food labels

Mineral Makeup - pros and cons

The latest on the pet food fiasco
Recent testing by the Food and Drug Administration revealed melamine in samples of the pet food created by Menu Foods, as well as in wheat gluten, and now rice. Over 60 million containers of moist cat and dog food have been recalled. For the latest list of pet food being recalled, visit the FDA link to recalled pet food brands.

According to Gourmet Retailer magazine, beginning in January, 2006, food labels will have to list the presence of the following; 1)tree nuts, 2)milk, 3)eggs, 4)fish, 5)shellfish, 6)peanuts, 7)soybeans, and 8)wheat. By law, labels must also indicate the amount of trans fat in any product. The FDA may be pushing for other labelling changes in the near future. Other ingredients, like lycopene or green tea, may also be highlighted.

News on E.coli and fresh greens
There's been alot in the news lately about the E.coli contamination in fresh spinach coming from Natural Selection Foods in California. According to the Gastroenteric Disease Center at Penn State University, there are about 70,000 species of e.coli, and we can never be fully rid of this bacterium. In fact, many strains of e.coli live in our intestines. The strain that causes illness is the E.coli strain O157:H7.

One solution, according to the Centers for Disease Control, is to cook green thoroughly at 160 degrees Fahrenheit for about 15 seconds. Hands and cutting surfaces should be washed with hot, soapy water. For more information, you can go to the the CDC webpage on avoiding e.coli contamination.

The dangers of Teflon

News on the ozone layer

Genetically modified organisms - fact vs. science fiction

Pesticide facts
Click here to read about the FDA and FM alfalfa crops.
Cloned meat and milk decision by the FDA

The health benefits of tea
Washington Post article entitled "USDA backs production of rice with human genes", The Agriculture Department has approved the first commercial production a rice crop engineered to contain human genes. In a proposal by California-based Ventria Bioscience there would be large-scale cultivation in Kansas of rice that produces human immune system proteins in its seeds.

This has led to criticism by consumer advocacy groups that cross-contamination could occur, with unknown results. (Contamination has been detected in the past). More "secret" decisions by the USDA which support biotech companies are likely to occur, so stay tuned.

A documentary about the life of a Midwestern organic farmer is showing at select theaters. It's called "The Real Dirt on Farmer John". To learn more about it, visit the Angelic Organics website.

Consumers can find additional articles, product reviews and recipes at Organic.org . You can also use their Store Finder, or join their Forum and communicate with like-minded people like yourself. For those of you who enjoyed Organic Style magazine, they ceased production in October, 2005. Their new publication is called Body+Soul. You can access them online at bodyandsoulmag.com.
Hydrogenated fats controversy continues
Trans fats labelling on processed goods will become mandatory after January 1, 2006. The company that has taken the most steps to eliminate hydrogenated fats from their products (including the Boca line, cookies, and crackers) has been Kraft Foods. As for fast food chains, only a few have eliminated trans fats from their products. They inclue Au bon Pain, Panera Bread, Jason's Deli, and California Pizza Kitchen. For the full story, go to the Center for Science in the Public Interest trans fats labelling page.

In Science News , a 15-day study suggested that children can eliminate the pesticide residues in their bodies by switching to organically grown products. The Emory University study recruited 23 families with children aged 3-11 years. They noted that urine samples indicated reduced levels of organophosphates after the children's diets were switched.

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