The Best Research Money Can Buy

Cornucopia’s Take: Cornucopia seeks to help eaters find research on what is healthy and what is not, and the task is harder than you might think. In the case of carrageenan, a thickener and emulsifier often used in processing plant-based beverages and other foods, we found a great deal of compelling evidence that carrageenan makes… Read more »

USDA’s “GMO Labeling Law” is a Farce

Cornucopia’s Take: The GMO labeling law crawled out of the swamp in time for Christmas. The USDA will allow QR codes instead of legitimate labeling and, for those who do choose to label clearly, the necessary language is the little-know phrase, “bioengineered food.” Soda and oils made from GMOs are exempt from any labeling. The… Read more »

FDA Food Inspections Sharply Curtailed During Shutdown

Cornucopia’s Take: All routine inspections of domestic food-processing facilities have been suspended during the ongoing partial federal government shutdown. A small number of inspectors will likely be called back next week without pay to monitor high-risk facilities to mitigate consumer risk. Government shutdown stops FDA food safety inspections NBC News by Maggie Fox “There are… Read more »

As Bacteria Grow Resistance, New Antibiotics Become More and More Rare

Cornucopia’s Take: Most of us are familiar with the notion that bacteria treated with antibiotics in hospitals, feedlots, and in the course of normal human life are becoming resistant to the antibiotics prescribed to kill them. Why don’t scientists just patent new antibiotics? Unfortunately, the discovery of effective, new, broad-spectrum antibiotics is very difficult and… Read more »

The Milkhouse Farmers Talk About Authentic Organic Dairying

Cornucopia’s Take: The Real Organic Project, a farmer-driven nonprofit devoted to foundational organic values and practices, is offering videos of authentic organic farming across the country. Caitlin and Andy of The Milkhouse share their love for their cows and farming, as well as some of the issues facing small, organic dairy farms right now. The Milkhouse… Read more »

Danone Trying to Unload the Failing Earthbound Farms from Its Portfolio

Cornucopia’s Take: Cornucopia is often asked to create an organic vegetable scorecard. There are actually few recognizable fruit and vegetable brands, and nearly every one is produced on an industrial scale—including Danone’s Earthbound Farms and Campbell’s Bolthouse Farms. Their produce is trucked from California, Mexico, and elsewhere–and suffers from the long travel times. We recommend… Read more »

Farm Bill to Address Import Fraud and Fund Tracking System for Organic Shipments

Cornucopia’s Take: The Washington Post article questioning the authenticity of shiploads of “organic” corn and soy from overseas and Cornucopia’s white paper chronicling how a small number of multibillion dollar agribusinesses came to dominate the U.S. organic grain industry helped draw Congress’ attention to fraudulent organic imports flowing into domestic markets. The Farm Bill, signed… Read more »

French Farmers To Be Off Glyphosate in Three Years

Cornucopia’s Take: While the U.S. government continues to bow to synthetic pesticide industry pressure, some European countries are taking serious steps to reduce the use of toxic pesticides on farmlands and common areas. The Macron Government in France is offering farmers expert help and forums to pool their knowledge during the transition to glyphosate-free growing…. Read more »

Cornucopia’s Kastel Calls Scale of Organic Fraud “Jaw-Dropping”

Cornucopia’s Take: Three Nebraska farmers sold their conventional as organic grain to a Missouri man who subsequently marketed it as organic—to the tune of $140 million. The farmers are awaiting sentencing after pleading guilty in October. Randy Constant, the grain marketer and alleged leader of the scheme, was charged with wire fraud and is due in… Read more »

U.S. Not Among Top 10 Most Sustainable Countries

Cornucopia’s Take: A case study developed by The Economist ranked countries according to nutritional challenges, food loss and waste, and sustainable agriculture. Overall, the U.S. ranked 24th—between Uganda and Ethiopia. Cornucopia strongly supports organic and sustainable farming for the health of human beings, wildlife, economic justice for farmers, and the environment. The world’s top 10… Read more »