“Undermining Congressional Protections” Results in Threats of Lawsuits and Protests SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS: When the organic industry gathers in this central Texas city next week sparks are predicted to fly when farmers and consumer activists face off with government regulators who they have accused of a “power grab,” significantly eroding a unique public and private… Read more »
Cornucopia’s Formal Comments for the National Organic Standards Board Spring Meeting Now Available
The Cornucopia Institute has submitted its formal comments to the USDA’s National Organic Standards Board (NOSB) for consideration at the Spring meeting of the NOSB. This diverse 15-member body was established by Congress to review policy and materials used in organic agriculture and food. They meet twice a year, and the next meeting begins April… Read more »
Corporate Definitions of ‘Natural’: How Consumers are Being Deceived
Corporate “natural” definitions vary widely. Generally, “natural” means the absence of artificial ingredients, commonly referencing preservatives. However “natural” does not signify that the ingredients are grown and processed in ways that avoid such “unnatural” inputs as synthetic pesticides and genetically engineered organisms. Various companies’ definitions of “natural” highlight its inferiority to the organic label. Companies… Read more »
Cornucopia Institute Elects New Leadership
The Cornucopia Institute has elected new leadership following the annual meeting of the organization’s board of directors. The Cornucopia Institute, a tax-exempt nonprofit, is a national organization focused on agricultural research and education. The organization acts as a governmental and corporate watchdog on organic food and farming issues. Cornucopia board members Dave Minar, Kevin Engelbert,… Read more »
Leaving a Sour Taste: Conventional “Yogurt” Masquerades as Health Food While Organic Keeps It Real
This article is based on Cornucopia’s forthcoming yogurt report and scorecard. Find both later this spring on our website. Yogurt, made the traditional way, is one of nature’s many health foods. Milk from organic grass-fed cows, rich in calcium, protein, beneficial fats and other healthy nutrients, is fermented using live cultures, resulting in a wholesome,… Read more »
Cornucopia’s Comments on FDA Proposed “Phase Out” of Antibiotics
Please read Cornucopia’s comments on Draft Guidance for Industry #213 (Docket No. FDA-2011-D-0889-0155) below. More information on this draft guidance is available here. The FDA needs to hear from you about what you think of the draft guidance. Please click here to comment. To Whom It May Concern: The “judicious use” principles outlined by the U.S. Food… Read more »
No Fences
By Elizabeth Wolf, Communications & Development Director, The Cornucopia Institute Image courtesy of Coonridge Dairy When Nancy Coonridge says she lives with her goat herd in the “wilds of New Mexico,” she’s not exaggerating. Coonridge Organic Goat Cheese Dairy perches at 8,000 feet elevation in the dry, rim rock country of western New Mexico, near… Read more »
Citizen-Lobbyists: Testify at Spring NOSB Meeting!
Can you help stand up for organic food and farming in San Antonio, Texas? The Cornucopia Institute needs citizen-lobbyists to testify at the National Organic Standards Board this April 29-30 in San Antonio. You need not be an expert—only dedicated to organic integrity. And your appearance will be brief. Each speaker gets one to four minutes. We will provide… Read more »
USDA Seeks Nominations for the National Organic Standards Board
Four seats are open on the 15-member citizen board that advises the USDA National Organic Program. Nominations to fill the vacancies—for an environmentalist, an organic producer, an organic handler, and a retailer—are due May 15. “NOSB members serve a vital role for the organic community advising the Secretary of Agriculture (mostly through the NOP) and… Read more »
What are the Legal Differences between Organic and ‘Natural’ Labels?
[NOTE: This is an excerpt from Cornucopia’s report: “Cereal Crimes: How “Natural” Claims Deceive Consumers and Undermine the Organic Label—A Look Down the Cereal and Granola Aisle.” To read the full report, click here.] It seems like an almost daily occurrence: major food brands facing lawsuits over use of the term “natural” on foods that… Read more »
