***ACTION ALERT***As of Today Foods Carrying the Organic' Seal Are Now Allowed to Contain Factory Fa

[nosmokes]

wattsamattau? Sheesh, they gave us a whole seven(7) days, that's 168 hours, and *only more than ten thousand of us responded, the overwhelming majority opposed to this change that wasn't exactly shouted from the rooftops. I guess they figured nobody cared.My government says it's OK to put mercury in *organic* food. What. the. fuck.
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original-oca

ALERT - Today's USDA Announcement: Foods Carrying the USDA '95% Organic' Seal Are Now Allowed to Contain Factory Farmed Intestines, PCBs, and Mercury

* Press Release
For Immediate Release
Organic Consumers Association, 6/22/2007
Straight to the Source

CONTACT: Ronnie Cummins 218-226-4164 June 22, 2007

Despite receiving more than ten thousand comments from consumers and family farmers opposing various aspects of a late May 2007 proposal, the USDA has approved a rule that will allow 38 new non-organic ingredients to be allowed in products bearing the "USDA Organic" seal. But the agency says this may just be interim approval, ,and has offered to extend teh public comment period another 60 days (the original public comment period was only 7 days). Take action and send a letter to the USDA here.






















complete release including link to sign-on petition/letter to the USDA here

[Metta]

1. Done and thanks.

Those bastards will stop at nothing in order to get their way.

[peacebird]

2. Buy LOCAL wherever possible and support local organic family farms.

"But the agency says this may just be interim approval, ,and has offered to extend teh public comment period another 60 days (the original public comment period was only 7 days). Take action and send a letter to the USDA here."

I will send a letter and contact congress regarding Organic standards as well.

k&r

[Morgana LaFey]

12. Local, sustainably grown produce and livestock - resources

Won't always be labeled "organic," by the way, even tho some of it is. That's because of the requirement that the farmer meet the USDA's rules and pay for an inspection, and all that rot. Even if they're able to do it, it can take a while. In the meantime, their produce may be 100% organically grown but unable to use the label.

Join a Community Supported Agribulture or Co-op in your area. Please.

Here are some resources:
Find your local farmers right here (link) and have some control
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=389x886117#893647

Where to Buy Seeds and Where Not To
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=389x604689


Slow Food: http://www.slowfood.com/

[NYC]

3. It's simply amazing what they will do.

I have written.

[alfredo]

4. They are shameless

[Stinky The Clown]

5. Sometimes boycotts CAN work ... this might be such a case

Just avoid the 'organic' label in big chain soopermarkets. I know our Safeway has a shitload of products that now carry their "O" organic label. It will be very easy for me to avoid them and buy the non organic product.

In the meantime, buy as much local and true organic as possible.

And let your soopermarket know why their organic brands will stay on their shelves.

Unlike gasoline, this is a boycott we *can* do.

[helderheid]

6. DONE! Recommended!

[IndyOp]

7. Thanks nosmokes! I emailed and, if you haven't seen it -

here is a good video by Jim Hightower on more USDA high-handedness -- anything for corporations, citizens be damned.

What Color is Your Steak?
http://goleft.tv/view.asp?vidID=147

[fed-up]

8. when will they quit f*cking w/my food???? will call on Monday thanks (I forgot)

I have been dealing with my own toxic hell on my property and just got a letter from the state basically telling me (to F off) they won't tell me what chemicals were removed from my property. I requested info on May 6th.

Still waiting for an answer from the county, they just sent me a letter stating that maybe by July 9th I could get a copy of letter sent to homeowner of possible meth lab contamination due to a bust.....

I am past the verge of a nervous breakdown...

[WinkyDink]

9. "Organic" can also mean "with human manure from China".

[YankeyMCC]

10. The USDA "Organic" label is an example of

unfortunate results from government mismanagement. Industrial "organic" is no where near as benign as the average consumer assumes. Local, sustainable farms are the way to go...via CSA's or local farmer's markets.

But I will try and help and let the FDA know how poorly they are doing their job.

[Morgana LaFey]

13. Government Mismanagement my ass

It was a conscious decison and attempt to co-opt (and pollute) the entire organic movement, and they succeeded.

[mcg]

11. Done. nt

[bvar22]

14. The ONLY way to KNOW for sure:

[glitch]

18. Now that's a nice garden. Mine is quite sad compared to it.

Maybe I need a swell scarecrow like that! :)

[xxqqqzme]

26. question - what are the 2 supports(?) on the left

of the picture (grounded in the cans)?

[bvar22]

27. Those are noise makers.

They are hanging from the scarecrow's arm, and they clatter together when the wind blows.
It does look like they are resting on the ground, but they are not. :)

This is our 1st year with the garden, and we are very happy.
We have 12 raised beds, and use the "Gardening by the Square Foot" method.
We are not "certified" organic, but use organic methods.
We also have 2 bee colonies, and the production from our garden is beyond our wildest expectations.
:hi:

[Wilms]

15. Thanks for posting this. n/t

[Mabus]

16. Large companies are working to redefine "organic" for profits

I know that's an obvious statement. We do need to be on the lookout for the commerical co-opting of the greening of America. The companies don't want the greening to cut into their profits so they are working to redefine the standards. They're trying to define what is "green" and "organic" to help insure they retain control of the markets and to continue to peddle their crap to the public.

Thanks for posting. K&R.

[Kablooie]

17. So THAT's why the loaf of bread I bought last week was filled with intestines.

I was wondering.

[glitch]

19. Buy local when you can and don't buy from megacorporate. Ever.

When you can't buy local do research on the company, who owns it, what their principles are, where it's farmed. Organic farm cooperatives are good place to start. That way you can support small farmers even when they aren't local, which helps people who don't live near organic farmers. When I can't buy local I buy Organic Valley even though their farms are all over, because I trust them.

[sandnsea]

20. What contains PCB's & Mercury's?

This is the list. It would be helpful to know which one of these contains the PCB's and mercury so I can refer to those specific items in my comments.

Annatto extract color (pigment CAS # 1393-63-1) – water and oil soluble.
Beet juice extract color (pigment CAS # 7659-95-2).
Beta-Carotene extract color from carrots (CAS # 1393-63-1).
Black currant juice color (pigment CAS #’s: 528-58-5, 528-53-0, 643-84-5, 134-01-0, 1429-30-7, and 134-04-3).
Black/Purple carrot juice color (pigment CAS #’s: 528-58-5, 528-53-0, 643-84-5, 134-01-0, 1429-30-7, and 134-04-3).
Blueberry juice color (pigment CAS #’s: 528-58-5, 528-53-0, 643-84-5, 134-01-0, 1429-30-7, and 134-04-3).
Carrot juice color (pigment CAS # 1393-63-1).
Cherry juice color (pigment CAS #’s: 528-58-5, 528-53-0, 643-84-5, 134-01-0, 1429-30-7, and 134-04-3).
Chokeberry – Aronia juice color (pigment CAS #’s: 528-58-5, 528-53-0, 643-84-5, 134-01-0, 1429-30-7, and 134-04-3).
Elderberry juice color (pigment CAS #’s: 528-58-5, 528-53-0, 643-84-5, 134-01-0, 1429-30-7, and 134-04-3).
Grape juice color (pigment CAS #’s: 528-58-5, 528-53-0, 643-84-5, 134-01-0, 1429-30-7, and 134-04-3).
Grape skin extract color (pigment CAS #’s: 528-58-5, 528-53-0, 643-84-5, 134-01-0, 1429-30-7, and 134-04-3).
Paprika color - dried powder and vegetable oil extract (CAS # 68917-78-2).
Pumpkin juice color (pigment CAS # 127-40-2).
Purple potato juice color (pigment CAS #’s: 528-58-5, 528-53-0, 643-84-5, 134-01-0, 1429-30-7, and 134-04-3).
Red cabbage extract color (pigment CAS #’s: 528-58-5, 528-53-0, 643-84-5, 134-01-0,
Red radish extract color (pigment CAS #’s: 528-58-5, 528-53-0, 643-84-5, 134-01-0, 1429-30-7, and 134-04-3).
Saffron extract color (pigment CAS # 1393-63-1).
Turmeric extract color (CAS # 458-37-7).
Ingredients or Processing Aids from Agricultural Products
Casings, from processed intestines (no CAS #)
Celery powder (No CAS #).
Chia (Salvia hispanica L.) (no CAS #).
Dillweed oil (CAS # 8006-75-5).
Fish oil (Fatty acid CAS #’s: 10417-94-4, and 25167-62-8).
Fructooligosaccharides (CAS # 308066-66-2).
Galangal, frozen (no CAS #).
Gelatin (CAS # 9000-70-8).
Hops (Humulus lupulus) (no CAS #).
Inulin, oligofructose enriched (CAS # 9005-80-5).
Konjac flour (CAS # 37220-17-0).
Lemongrass, frozen (no CAS #).
Orange shellac, unbleached (CAS # 9000-59-3).
Pepper, chipotle chile (no CAS #).
Rice starch, unmodified (CAS # 977000-08-0) – for use in organic handling until .
Sweet potato starch, for bean thread production only (no CAS #).
Turkish bay leaves (no CAS #).
Wakame seaweed (Undaria pinnatifida) (no CAS #).
Whey protein concentrate (no CAS #).

[LibertyorDeath]

21. "Factory Farmed Intestines"

STOP your making me hungry....

With a side order of PCB's and Mercury Yum!

Their Greed knows no bounds!

[JoeySoCal]

22. Stop Fucking With My Food!!!

As stated by a previous poster.

Rat Bastards. How scum does your rotten ass soul have to be to do this kind of shit. Fuck. These. People. Fuck Them. Revolt, Overthrow them, Fuck them to Hell, Hell, Hell.

[spanone]

23. junior bu$h* continually watching out for us...what an administration

:sarcasm:

[lisby]

24. Done. nt

[xxqqqzme]

25. That's USDA - does anyone know

how that impacts state organic rules. I know the organic standards in CA are more demanding than the USDA.

[Quantess]

28. Kick.

[KAT119]

29. K&R!! Thank you....