news article: What
Does 'Organic' Really Mean?
(New York Times, 07/29/06)
read it
what I found interesting was this quote
WHICH foods are worth the higher price?
According to an analysis by the Environmental Working Group, a
nonprofit organic research organization, the so-called dirty dozen --
apples, bell peppers, celery, cherries, imported grapes, nectarines,
peaches, pears, potatoes, red raspberries, spinach and strawberries --
tend to have a high pesticide residue, even when washed. These are
worth buying organic, as is baby food, which tends to be made from
condensed fruits and vegetables.
Likewise, meat, poultry, eggs and dairy products that carry an organic
label are free of pesticides, synthetic growth hormones and
antibiotics. If a manufacturer does not use the term organic, but says
the product is "hormone free" or "does not contain antibiotics," "those
claims are somewhat meaningful," Ms. Rangan said.
and these links
Environmental
Working Group
Consumer Reports' Greener
Choices
Consumers Union Guide to
Environmental Labels
for example:
USDA Makes
Changes in Organic Program Based on 2005 Court Ruling and Congressional
Amendment to Organic Law -- Need to Close Loopholes
Last November, over 300,000
letters from people like you were sent to Congress opposing an
amendment to weaken organic standards. Despite our hard work and a
massive effort by organic farmers, food companies and consumers, a
late-night conference committee maneuver resulted in passage of a bad
amendment!
The amendment was inserted into the FY06 Agricultural Appropriations
Bill and passed. A number of Congressional representatives made
statements condemning both the undemocratic process and substance of
this change to the organic law.
The USDA is proposing to amend the National Organic Program regulations
to reflect the legislative changes made in Congress. The public comment
period is only open until May 12, 2006. But the proposal leaves
loopholes that could allow:
- dairy animals that could have been treated with
antibiotics, animal byproducts and hormones to be converted to organic
production; and
- numerous artificial (synthetic) substances, including over
500 food contact substances, to be used in organic processed foods
without review and approval by the National Organic Standards Board
(NOSB) and public input.
8:19:26 AM 
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