Use of Synthetic Preservatives, Genetically Mutated Ingredients
and Weak Animal Welfare Standards Headed for Vote by USDA Panel

Cornucopia, WI—The Cornucopia Institute, one of the nation’s leading organic industry watchdogs, is urging members of the USDA’s National Organic Standards Board (NOSB), in formal testimony, to vote to preserve the integrity of organic food and farming at its upcoming meeting in Savannah, Georgia.

Some of the hot button issues on the agenda, including using artificial preservatives and genetically modified ingredients, would seem Orwellian to many longtime organic farmers and consumers. The forecasted dustup will be debated by a USDA panel, deeply divided between corporate agribusiness representatives and organic advocates. Read Full Article »

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Become an expert in 4 minutes (YouTube video): http://www.youtube.com/user/CornucopiaInstitute

CORNUCOPIA, WIS: A revelatory report released by The Cornucopia Institute, an organic industry watchdog, has stirred controversy in the natural foods marketing arena by highlighting abusive marketing practices by some of the nation’s largest breakfast cereal manufacturers. In some cases, companies such as Kellogg’s, Quaker Oats (PepsiCo), Barbara’s Bakery and Whole Foods Market are selling products contaminated with toxic agrichemicals and Monsanto’s genetically engineered organisms while promoting them as “natural.”

The new report, Cereal Crimes: How “Natural” Claims Deceive Consumers and Undermine the Organic Label—A Look Down the Cereal and Granola Aisle (available at www.cornucopia.org) explores this growing trend of marketing conventional foods as “natural” to lure health-conscious and eco-conscious consumers and their shopping dollars. Read Full Article »

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For more information, contact:
Judith McGeary, Farm and Ranch Freedom Alliance, 512-484-8821
Bill Bullard, R-CALF USA, 406-252-2516
Mark Kastel, The Cornucopia Institute, 608-625-2042

USDA Extends Deadline for Public Comments on New Animal ID Rule
Non-Profits Representing Farmers and Ranchers Appealed to Vilsack, Applaud Decision

WASHINGTON, DC (October 7, 2011): The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) today announced that it was extending the deadline for public comments on its proposed rule for mandatory animal traceability, following a request by forty-nine organizations for a deadline extension.

The organizations had sent a letter to Secretary of Agriculture Vilsack requesting an extension to allow sufficient time for the people who will be affected to analyze the rule and submit comments. Read Full Article »

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Hello Cornucopia members and organic stakeholders,

Have you ever purchased “natural” Kashi breakfast cereal or Bear Naked granola? Did you know they were manufactured by Kellogg’s?

Have you ever purchased Back to Nature granola (Kraft) or something “natural” from Quaker Oats (PepsiCo)?

You won’t find the names of any of these major corporate agribusinesses on the label, or on their website. They are all masquerading as independent green companies. Read Full Article »

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Okay, I admit I’m a Luddite. I love newspapers and read many throughout the week (the New York Times, the Wall Street Journal, local daily papers and farm publications). But the younger generation here at Cornucopia has convinced me that many folks are now getting the lion share of their news and information off the web. And video has become a major player.

With the help of award-winning documentary filmmakers Gretta Miller and Aarick Beher we have produced three videos that are now posted on our YouTube channel Read Full Article »

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