Cornucopia’s Take: Organophosphate pesticides are the most commonly used insecticides in conventional agriculture and were initially developed as a nerve gas. Extremely effective, even very low exposure via residues on food may lead to lowered IQ and learning disabilities in children. A new paper in PLOS Medicine reviews the science available on risks to children… Read more »
New Study: Organic Diet Lowers Cancer Risk
Cornucopia’s Take: A new French study published in JAMA Internal Medicine found that people who reported eating more organic food were 25% less likely to develop cancer. It is noteworthy that those who ate mostly organic food were 73% less likely to develop non-Hodgkin lymphoma, the type of cancer suffered by DeWayne Johnson. You may recall that… Read more »
Seven Artificial Flavors Banned by FDA in Response to Lawsuit
Cornucopia’s Take: “Artificial flavors” in ingredient listings on conventional food packaging are a motley crew of synthetic chemicals that processors do not have to name specifically. Consumers may never know which “artificial flavors” they are eating. The Flavor and Extract Manufacturers Association (FEMA) pays its own panel of scientists to review and approve flavors, and… Read more »
Nebraska Farmers Caught, as Part of a Wider Conspiracy, Selling GMO Grain as Organic
Cornucopia’s Take: These farmers and their accomplices who marketed and sold the GMO grain as organic, over eight years, were thankfully caught and are on the hook for almost $11 million. While that is a substantial sum, fraud in U.S.-grown crops is a much smaller business than import fraud. Domestic organic fraud of this kind… Read more »
Ex-Monsanto Scientist Decries the Potatoes He Bioengineered for Simplot
Cornucopia’s Take: Caius Rommens, PhD spent his career in bioengineering with Monsanto and JR Simplot. Encouraged by other industry scientists and the companies he worked for, he is responsible for the GMO traits in potatoes that have made it quietly to the market. In the article below, Rommens reflects on his past work and the… Read more »
Pro-technology Think Tank Claims Non-GMO Campaign “Deceives Consumers”
Cornucopia’s Take: The innocuously named industry think tank, Information Technology and Innovation Foundation (ITIF), has filed a Citizen Petition [PDF] with the FDA to request a prohibition on use of Non-GMO labeling on food. ITIF stops short of declaring all GMOs safe in their petition, but they do argue that there is no scientific difference between genetic… Read more »
Max Goldberg Interviews USDA Sec. Perdue on Organic Issues
Cornucopia’s Take: Organic Insider’s Max Goldberg interviewed USDA Secretary Sonny Perdue regarding the agency’s decision to allow hydroponic growers to label their produce “organic.” Perdue began by saying, “It shouldn’t be competitive,” and wound up with a quote about feeding people “more efficiently and more effectfully [sic] … around the world.” The organic label exists… Read more »
FSMA Gets Clearer, But Your Comments are Still Needed
Cornucopia’s Take: New guidance has been released to help farmers make sense of the Food Safety Modernization Act, and we think NSAC’s blog post below provides useful information for farmers. Farmers and other interested parties can comment on the supplemental draft guidance until October 19. FOOD FACILITY REGISTRATION Q&A ADDS CLARITY TO FOOD SAFETY REQUIREMENTS… Read more »
Will Trump’s “New NAFTA” Spread the American Dairy Catastrophe to Canada?
Cornucopia’s Take: Canadian dairy farmers operate under supply management, meaning farmers manage their production so it coincides with forecasts of demand for dairy. This ensures that there is no glut of milk on the market, which would drive prices down. Due to the enormous oversupply of milk in the U.S., driven by huge factory farm… Read more »
Grants for Livestock & Poultry Farmers – Apply Now!
Food Animal Concerns Trust (FACT) is accepting applications for three types of grants for livestock and poultry farmers who wish to attain humane certification, build capacity, or improve pasture for their animals. Funding is available for projects that improve farm animal welfare, such as building mobile housing, constructing fences, laying water lines on pasture, and much more. Family… Read more »
