Medical News Today by Marie Ellis In the first study of its kind to resolve whether rising carbon dioxide concentrations are a threat to human nutrition, researchers have discovered that if levels reach those expected by 2050, crops yielding a large portion of the global population’s dietary zinc and iron will have reduced concentrations of… Read more »
After Vermont Passes GMO Labeling Law, Food Industry Announces Plans To Sue
Huff Post by Dave Gram MONTPELIER, Vt. (AP) — As hundreds cheered, Gov. Peter Shumlin signed a law Thursday that puts Vermont on the path to be the first state to require labeling of genetically modified foods and promptly announced an online fundraiser to battle expected legal challenges from the food industry. The Vermont law… Read more »
Why Everyone Needs to See EWG’s ‘Dirty Dozen’ List
A public health expert explains how Environmental Working Group identifies the cleanest—and dirtiest—produce you’re eating. Rodale News by Leah Zerbe Credit: USDA If you haven’t seen the 2014 Dirty Dozen list yet, it’s a must read. In a matter of minutes, you’ll be armed with shopping power that can help protect your family from toxic, IQ-lowering chemicals…. Read more »
Food Tank’s Summer 2014 Reading List – 18 Books For A Better Food System
Food Tank by Danielle Nierenberg, Sarah Small, and Sonal Choudhary This week, Food Tank has hand-picked 18 books that educate, inspire, and inform us—and make us look forward to cooking, eating, and sharing what we’ve learned. They highlight sustainable agriculture and farming practices around the world, and they give us ideas about how to eat… Read more »
French Ban on GMO Maize Cultivation Gets Final Approval
Reuters by Sybille de La Hamaide The French parliament gave final approval on Monday to a law prohibiting the cultivation of any variety of genetically modified maize in the European Union’s top grain producer, where a majority of people remain strongly opposed to foods based on genetically modified organisms, or GMOs. The French Senate voted… Read more »
Food Labeling Bill Stirs Debate at State Capitol about Genetically Modified Products
A bill requiring the labeling of genetically modified foods got an informational hearing in St. Paul. Star Tribune by Tom Meersman An emerging controversy over requiring labels for genetically engineered food arrived at the State Capitol on Thursday. A few dozen proponents wearing green “Label GMOs” stickers listened to Rep. Karen Clark, DFL-Minneapolis, describe “a… Read more »
In Florida Tomato Fields, a Penny Buys Progress
The New York Times by Steven Greenhouse IMMOKALEE, Fla. — Not long ago, Angelina Velasquez trudged to a parking lot at 5 each morning so a crew leader’s bus could drop her at the tomato fields by 6. She often waited there, unpaid — while the dew dried — until 10 a.m., when the workers… Read more »
“Extreme” Levels of Roundup Detected in Food
Rodale News by Leah Zerbe You probably wouldn’t knowingly eat a substance known to induce death in human cells. But that’s what millions of people are doing every day, even when they’re enjoying foods with “natural” on the label. Norwegian scientists just published a new study that will appear in the June issue of Food Technology showing high levels… Read more »
Authors of Organic Foods Production Act Criticize USDA Changes
The National Organic Coalition The National Organic Coalition has released a letter from Senator Patrick Leahy (D-VT) and Representative Peter DeFazio (D-OR) that articulates their concerns about recent changes to the “Sunset” policy enacted by the USDA concerning the organic program’s policies on synthetic and non-organic materials used in organic food and agriculture. Directing their… Read more »
Vandana Shiva: Cultivating Diversity, Freedom and Hope
The Call of the Land by Steven McFadden “Something is happening at this point in history,” Katherine Kelly said as she brought to conclusion an April 17 lecture by international environmental activist Dr. Vandana Shiva. “We are at a point in time where we can make an important change. Dr. Shiva is helping to lead the… Read more »
