News
Chinese put trust in organic
While Chinese authorities have moved to assure citizens that their food is now free of melamine, a chemical that caused the death of four infants and poisoned more than 50,000 others earlier this year, many locals aren’t taking any chances.
The scandal erupted after it was found that infant formula milk had been contaminated with the More →
Crisis slows organic growth
The financial crisis has hit the organic sector, with growth slowing in the past few months as Americans cut back on discretionary spending. The market has enjoyed double digit growth of up to 20 percent a year for several years, but research released in the wake of the country’s economic meltdown shows a significant drop. While it was still on the up, More →
Organic food stores branch out
While the worldwide economic crisis has caused sales in some organic sectors to slow, a few retail outlets have not let the mood dampen expansion plans. Colorado company Natural Grocers by Vitamin Cottage, which has 27 stores in the US, will open two more in Texas in coming months and Planet Organic, the UK’s largest retailer of organic food and products, has already branched out in two more areas of London. More →
Paul Newman led the way
When a screen legend dies, the fawning tributes quickly follow. In death they somehow become not only brilliant thespians, but stellar human beings. And so it was with the passing of Paul Newman at the weekend, with many describing him as having lived an “exemplary life”. The difference, however, is it’s hard to argue with that or any of the accolades that have been bestowed upon the owner of those sparkling blue eyes since the world learnt of his death from cancer at 83. More →
Farm lobby urges carbon credit
An emissions trading scheme (ETS) that leaves agriculture out of the equation is a mistake, according to the Biological Farmers of Australia. In its response to the Federal Government’s Carbon Pollution Reduction Scheme Green Paper, the country’s largest organic business and farmer representative group has urged More →
Green spend up and down
With all the talk of economic downturn, you might think more consumers would be opting out of the often pricier organic market in favour of cheaper fare. Well, it all depends on where you live. Whether driven by fears about global warming or general concern for their health and wellbeing, Americans are voting for a cleaner, greener way of eating and drinking with their hard-earned dollars and, according to More →
Say no to GMO
More than a thousand protesters marched on the West Australian Parliament today demanding the new government extend the moratorium on the production of genetically modified crops. Front and centre of the march was renowned gardening guru Peter Cundall, who described the push for GM food as dangerous, arguing it would harm Western Australia’s export image as a “clean, green state”. More →
Watchdog urges dairy overhaul
A leading organic watchdog in the United States has filed formal legal complaints against two industrial dairies, claiming they are masquerading as organic. The Cornucopia Institute wants the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) to take action against operators who contravene federal organic regulations before it’s too late. “This could be the end of the organic industry as we know it,” co-director Mark A. Kastel says. More →
Scandal fuels organic demand
China’s contaminated milk scandal has prompted shoppers and retailers elsewhere in Asia to embrace more organic food lines. According to a report on Bloomberg.com, fearful consumers in Hong Kong are turning their backs on food from the mainland in favour of more expensive imports from Australia and the United States. More are also opting for chemically-free organic produce, with one outlet reporting a 50 percent jump in sales since the scandal broke. More →
Fish flying off the menu
Fish is good for us, but we aren’t returning the favour. According to a new consumer guide to sustainable seafood in the UK, there is plenty we should not be eating if we don’t want to see them vanish forever. Among the 69 species you should give the flick are some favourite fishy friends. If you want to be an ethical eater, it’s goodbye to the Atlantic cod, unless More →
