AL_WAPF : Message: Organic Bytes: Organic Lawsuit, Toxics, Almonds, Frankecorn, & More..

Organic Bytes #120: Organic Consumers Sue Aurora, Toxics, Almonds, Frankecorn, & More... Just in case some of you are not aware of the work OCA does, please see below.

John Langlois,
Moderator

Organic Bytes #120: Organic Consumers Sue Aurora, Toxics, Almonds, Frankecorn, & More...

Hello &;name;,

ORGANIC BYTES #120
Health, Justice and Sustainability News Tidbits with an Edge!

10/18/2007

Written and edited by Craig Minowa and Ronnie Cummins

IN THIS ISSUE

ORGANIC CONSUMERS SUE AURORA DAIRY IN 27 STATES FOR VIOLATING ORGANIC STANDARDS
ALERT OF THE WEEK: EPA APPROVES PESTICIDE KNOWN TO CAUSE CANCER & MISCARRIAGES
QUICK RELATED FACT: WHO ADVISED THE APPROVAL OF NEW CARCINOGENIC PESTICIDE?
USDA APPROVES CHIP IMPLANTS THAT CAUSE CANCER TUMORS
QUICK RELATED FACT: WHO APPROVED TUMOR-CAUSING CHIPS?
SUSTAINABILITY ALERT: PRO-ORGANIC DRAFT FARM BILL UNDER ATTACK
ALERT UPDATE: RULE REQUIRING PASTEURIZATION OF RAW ALMONDS GOES INTO EFFECT
STUDY OF THE WEEK: GENETICALLY ENGINEERED CORN TOXIN AFFECTING AQUATIC ECOSYSTEMS
QUICK TIDBITS: E.U. BLOCKS NEW GE CROPS -- U.S. APPROVES NEW GE CROPS
TALK ABOUT IT IN OCA'S WEB FORUM: NEW STUDY SAYS SOME MEAT EATING IS OKAY FOR ENVIRONMENT
QUICK RELATED FACTS: YOUR DIET IMPACTS ENVIRONMENT MORE THAN YOUR CAR

Aerial photo of Aurora "organic" dairy factory farm courtesy of Cornucopia Institute

ORGANIC CONSUMERS SUE AURORA DAIRY IN 27 STATES FOR
VIOLATING ORGANIC STANDARDS
Acting on behalf of organic food consumers in 27 states, class action lawsuits are being filed this week in U.S. federal courts in St. Louis and Denver, against one of the nation's largest organic dairies. The suits charge Aurora Dairy Corporation, based in Boulder, Colorado, with allegations of consumer fraud, negligence, and unjust enrichment concerning the sale of organic milk by the company. This past April, Aurora officials received a notice from the USDA detailing multiple and "willful" violations of federal organic law that were found by federal investigators, specifically not providing mandatory pasture access and bringing non-organic cows onto their massive feedlots. Unfortunately the USDA gave Aurora what the OCA considers a "slap on the wrist," rather than taking away the corporation's USDA Organic certification.

Commenting on this week's class action lawsuit, Ronnie Cummins, National Director of the OCA stated: "If the USDA refuses to properly enforce organic standards, then organic consumers have no choice but to act as their own enforcement body, using the courts to punish those corporations, like Aurora, that put profits ahead of organic integrity." Two weeks ago Aurora threatened to sue the OCA, Cornucopia Institute, and the Center for Food Safety if we didn't back off. Now it looks like Aurora will have to face the consequences of their "willful violations" of organic standards in court. OCA would like to thank the hundreds of organic consumers across the country who have joined in on this class action lawsuit. We would like to also thank the several hundred OCA network supporters who have sent us over the past two weeks more than $15,000 to carry on this important legal battle. But now we need your help more than ever. If you can afford to help us fight this David versus Goliath battle over organic integrity, please send us a donation now.

http://www.organicconsumers.org/donations.htm

For more information on this historic lawsuit see: http://www.organicconsumers.org/articles/article_7757.cfm

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ALERT OF THE WEEK:
EPA APPROVES PESTICIDE KNOWN TO CAUSE CANCER & MISCARRIAGES
On October 5, the EPA approved a new chemical fumigant for use on strawberries and other food crops across the U.S. The pesticide, methyl iodide, vaporizes quickly, causing it to drift far distances. Although the state of California has categorized it as cancer causing, and the EPA admits it causes thyroid tumors, the Bush Administration has been advocating approval of the fumigant for the better part of two years. In a letter to EPA Administrator Stephen Johnson on September 25, the nation's leading chemists asked EPA not to approve methyl iodide without further scientific review. The chemical has been used to induce cancer in laboratory experiments and causes neurological and thyroid problems, as well as miscarriages in studies with laboratory animals. Farmworkers, families, rural workers, and the food supply will now be subjected to exposure to the carcinogen unless the EPA revokes the approval immediately.
Please take action now: http://www.organicconsumers.org/articles/article_7580.cfm

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QUICK RELATED FACT:
WHO ADVISED THE APPROVAL OF NEW CARCINOGENIC PESTICIDE?
James L. Connaughtonwas appointed by George W. Bush as the Senior Environmental Advisor and Chairman of the White House Council on Environmental Quality. Before being appointed to this position, Connaughton was one of Capitol Hill's most successful lobbyists... for the mining, chemical, industrial and asbestos industries.

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USDA APPROVES CHIP IMPLANTS THAT CAUSE CANCER TUMORS
Over the past couple of years, the OCA has reported on the National Animal Identification System (NAIS), a set of controversial, mandatory regulations the U.S. federal government claims to have abandoned to the states, but in fact is still pushing, specifically, in the 2007 Farm Bill. NAIS would require that all farmers and farm animal owners implant their animals with a computer chip, even those who just own a single cow, horse, chicken or other farm animal. Last week, the USDA approved the use of two new types of chips for the NAIS program. These same chips have already been planted in millions of pets and marketed to pet owners as an ID device to help find lost pets. Increasingly, these same chips are being marketed and implanted into humans. Evidence has now surfaced that a significant number of studies done in the 1990s revealed that lab animals implanted with the devices developed tumors. When the FDA approved the use of the chips for human implanting, these reports were never made public. In an interview with a retired toxicologic pathologist who studied the chips for Dow Chemical,"The transponders were the cause of the tumors."
Learn more: http://www.organicconsumers.org/articles/article_7570.cfm

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QUICK RELATED FACT:
WHO APPROVED TUMOR-CAUSING CHIPS?
The FDA is overseen by the Department of Health and Human Services, which, at the time of the original RFID chip's approval, was headed by White House appointee Tommy Thompson. Two weeks after the device's approval took effect on Jan. 10, 2005, Thompson left his Cabinet post, and within five months was a board member of VeriChip Corporation, the company who designed the RFID chip. He was compensated by VeriChip with cash and stock options. In his public appearances, he continues to claim the chips are completely safe and urges all citizens get the implants for the sake of the health and safety of their families. To date, neither Thompson nor any member of his family has had the chip implanted.

Source: Associated Press 9/8/2008

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SUSTAINABILITY ALERT:
PRO-ORGANIC DRAFT FARM BILL UNDER ATTACK
After a number of delays, the Senate Agriculture Committee is scheduled to take action on their version of the Farm Bill on Tuesday, October 23rd. Right now, many confidential negotiations and back room deals are underway in preparation for the Committee’s Farm Bill mark-up next week. Senate Agriculture Committee Chair Tom Harkin’s (D-IA) announced today that his draft Farm Bill includes strong provisions to promote organic and sustainable agriculture, conservation, beginning farmers and better nutrition. However, various sources have indicated that funding levels remain low for many of these crucial programs. With the Agriculture Committee set to vote next week, and the full Senate vote as early as the week of October 29th, NOW is the time to act. Please contact your Senators and ask them to support increases in funding for conservation, organic agriculture, healthy food and beginning and minority farmer programs.
TAKE ACTION:
http://www.organicconsumers.org/articles/article_7765.cfm

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ALERT UPDATE:
RULE REQUIRING PASTEURIZATION OF RAW ALMONDS GOES INTO EFFECT Despite massive opposition from almond producers, retailers and organic consumers, the USDA has implemented its ruling to require that raw almonds be pasteurized. The rule went into effect on September 1st, and since then, all retail outlets have been forced to remove truly raw almonds from store shelves. Consumers will be misled by this action as there will still be almonds on store shelves labeled as "raw", but they will actually be pasteurized. One of the FDA-recommended pasteurization methods requires the use of propylene oxide, which is classified as a "possible human carcinogen" by the International Agency for Research on Cancer and is banned in Canada, Mexico, and the European Union. Since the decision about the rule was made, Secretary of Agriculture, Mike Johanns, has stepped down. He is temporarily replaced by Chuck Conner. This may provide a new opportunity for reversal. Please contact Conner today to ask that the rule be suspended for 6 months while the public comment period is re-opened:
http://www.organicconsumers.org/articles/article_5227.cfm

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STUDY OF THE WEEK:
GENETICALLY ENGINEERED CORN TOXIN AFFECTING AQUATIC ECOSYSTEMS
A new study in the recent issue of the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences indicates that a toxin in genetically engineered Bt corn is contaminating waterways near farm fields. The toxin is killing caddisflies which is a valuable food resource for higher organisms like fish and amphibians. This genetically engineered (GE) corn was approved for use by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency a decade ago, but the agency never tested its impact on caddisflies, which are common insects in areas where these crops are grown. According to one of the study's researchers, Todd Royer, "I think probably the risks associated with widespread planting of Bt corn were not fully assessed." Since its inception, the Organic Consumers Association (OCA) has called for a moratorium on GE crops, based on a current lack of data regarding environmental and health safety.
Learn more: http://www.organicconsumers.org/articles/article_7558.cfm

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QUICK TIDBITS
E.U. BLOCKS NEW GE CROPS: The European Union has blocked the approval of a genetically modified potato and three genetically modified varieties of corn. Health regulators in several European countries expressed serious concerns about scientific data suggesting possible problems with the biotech plants. All of the proposed plants are already approved for use in the U.S.
Learn more: http://www.organicconsumers.org/articles/article_7617.cfm

U.S. APPROVES NEW GE CROPS: The USDA has announced its plans to deregulate another variety of genetically engineered soybean. This will be the 71st genetically engineered plant the USDA has determined can forgo any and all safety and environmental regulations. The USDA will be taking comments on the proposal until December 4th.
Please comment here: http://www.organicconsumers.org/articles/article_7743.cfm

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SURVEY OF OCA READERS:
IS IT OKAY TO EAT MEAT?
Researchers from Cornell have published a study that reopens the debate over whether it's better for the environment to be an omnivore or a vegetarian. According to the study, a low fat carnivore diet with a limited amount of meat, dairy and/or eggs is actually a more efficient use of the land. The explanation is relatively simple: if you are trying to sustainably produce the maximum amount of food nutrients on a plot of land, the high value soil is better suited for food plants, whereas low value land can create more food via grazing livestock or wild game than by planting crops. Researchers noted that the average modern meat eater consumes levels of meat and dairy that are nearly three times what would be considered "efficient". Although specific geographical areas may result in varying equations, the study's land analysis found that the amount of omnivore intake for environmental efficiency is 2 cooked ounces per day. That amounts to around the size of two decks of cards every three days. Learn more and share your opinions about this study in OCA's web forum. Please take our quick poll there too, so we can determine how many readers are vegan, vegetarian, omnivore and carnivore: http://organicconsumers.org/forum/index.php?showtopic=447

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QUICK RELATED FACTS:
YOUR DIET IMPACTS ENVIRONMENT MORE THAN YOUR CAR
13 PERCENT = The percentage of greenhouse gases created by all trucks, SUVs, cars, airplanes, trains and other transportation.

18 PERCENT = The amount of greenhouse gases created by livestock production.

Source: United Nations

Moral of the story: If you are an average U.S. meat eater, reducing your meat consumption to 2 ounces per day is roughly equivalent to doubling your vehicle's fuel efficiency, in terms of greenhouse gas reduction.

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FIND OUT WHAT'S HAPPENING IN YOUR STATE
We have recently begun revamping our state pages to make them more accessible so that people can learn and share information about events, news, groups, and campaigns in their state. This week we've added an RSS feed so that you can receive your state's health, justice and sustainability news as soon as we post them. You will find an RSS link at the top of the news section. Help us make your state page dynamic and lively! Please take a moment to add an event, news story or green business by visiting your state page and clicking the “Become a news scout” link. To find your OCA state page, go to any OCA webpage and choose your state from the dropdown menu on the left hand navigation bar: http://www.organicconsumers.org/

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INNOVATIVE NEW ALOE VERA PRODUCTS AVAILABLE FROM GOOD CAUSE WELLNESS

Aloe Vera Gel Flakes offer easy convenience and superior nutritional benefits to most aloe juices. The new Aloe Vera Drink Mixes recently introduced by Good Cause Wellness have been praised as the "best-tasting aloe vera gel I've tried yet" by Mike Adams in a review recently published at www.NewsTarget.com. Good Cause Wellness, an official sponsor of the OCA, offers Aloe Vera Drink Mixes made from a patented method that retains the flavor, color and nutrients of aloe vera better than traditionally produced aloe. The Aloe Vera Gel Flakes are easily added to water or a blended drink to deliver the incredible benefits of aloe vera. Good Cause Wellness offers three Aloe Vera Drink Mixes:

Aloe Vera100 - 100% Aloe Vera in a simple, delicious drink mix
Aloe Vera with Blueberry - Superior quality Aloe Vera and antioxidant-rich blueberries
Aloe Vera with Raspberry - All the benefits and nutrients of aloe vera plus great-tasting raspberries

To get complete details of these innovative new Aloe Vera products, please visit http://www.GoodCauseWellness.com

Please forward this publication to family and friends, place it on websites, print it, duplicate it and post it freely. Knowledge is power!

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NOTE TO CO-OP AND NATURAL FOOD STORE SUBSCRIBERS:
Organic Bytes is a great tool for keeping your staff and customers up to date on the latest issues. Feel free to forward this email to your staff and print for posting on bulletin boards and staff break tables. You are also welcome to use this material for your newsletters. There's an attractive print-friendly PDF version of this available for free download at http://www.organicconsumers.org/organicbytes.cfm

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ORGANIC BYTES is a publication of:
ORGANIC CONSUMERS ASSOCIATION
6771 South Silver Hill Drive
Finland, Minnesota 55603
Phone: (218)- 226-4164 Fax: (218) 353-7652
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-- John Langlois
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www.foggybottomwebdesign.com
www.foggybottomfarms.com

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