Watchdog Requests Federal Investigation, Files Ethics Charges

WASHINGTON, DC: The Cornucopia Institute, an organic industry research and watchdog organization, announced it has formally requested the USDA’s Office of Inspector General (OIG) to investigate corruption at its National Organic Program resulting in the use of illegal synthetics in organic food and then allowing powerful corporations to “game the system” for approval “after the fact.”

The controversy surrounds products developed by Martek Biosciences Corporation. Martek, part of a $12 billion Dutch-based conglomerate, recently petitioned for approval of its genetically modified soil fungus and algae as nutritional supplements in organic food.

Martek’s formulated oils are processed with synthetic petrochemical solvents in a blend containing a myriad of other synthetic chemicals. Supplements derived from these oils, commonly marketed as DHA and ARA, are being added to milk, infant formula and other organic foods by such companies as Dean Foods (Horizon), Abbott Laboratories (Similac) and Nurture, Inc. (Happy Baby). Read Full Article »

Posted in Cornucopia News

Agent Orange Herbicide Ingredient Would be Widely Used

USDA seeks comments for Monsanto and Dow genetically engineered crops

Cornucopia, WI – Over the holidays, the United States Department of Agriculture announced its approval of a novel strain of genetically engineered corn, developed by Monsanto, purportedly being “drought tolerant.”

Despite receiving nearly 45,000 public comments in opposition to this particular genetically engineered (GE) corn variety (and only 23 comments in favor), the Obama administration gave Monsanto the green light to release its newest  GE corn variety freely into the environment and American food supply, without any governmental oversight or safety tracking.

“President Obama and Secretary of Agriculture Vilsack just sent a clear message to the American public that they do not care about our concerns with genetically engineered food and their questionable safety, adverse environmental impacts, and detrimental effects on farmers, especially organic farmers,” says Mark A. Kastel, Senior Farm Policy Analyst with The Cornucopia Institute.

“This is just the latest in a string of approvals of genetically engineered crops, Read Full Article »

Posted in Cornucopia News

Hello,

Like every public interest charity we depend on the generosity of our members at the end of the year to carry out our mission.

For the first time in the history of the organic movement we are going in reverse. We are losing farmers, and crop acreage, because some folks are losing money in organics while watching their conventional neighbors cash in on high grain prices driven by demand for ethanol and a tight market around the world. And organic markets have been injured by fraud and cheating. Read Full Article »

Posted in Cornucopia News

Posted in Cornucopia News

Economic Power/Corporate Lobbyists Manipulate the System

The National Organic Standards Board November meeting in Savannah, GA, held Nov. 29 to Dec. 2, revealed the deep divide that exists in the organic industry between public interest groups (like Cornucopia), farmers and consumers fighting for a strong and meaningful organic label and corporate executives and their paid lobbyists and scientists pursuing weaker standards in pursuit of profit.

During public testimony, audience members applauded Cornucopia Codirector Mark Kastel, who asked the Board members whether they were here to protect the organic market for organic consumers, organic farmers, and ethical organic entrepreneurs, or to pave the way for corporate profit. Kastel urged the Board members to preserve the integrity of the organic label by rejecting the various petitions for dubious synthetics in organic food, and by standing up for strong animal welfare standards. Read Full Article »

Posted in Cornucopia News