Organic Cosmetics Standards
Posted - July 15, 2008
Varied Requirements, Little Regulation Bring US Lawsuit
Organic-branded cosmetics and personal care products are coming under legal question in the US. A lawsuit was recently launched by soap and cosmetics firm Dr. Bronner’s Magic Soaps.
The firm filed a claim that says the many organic labels and messages on personal care products that do not meet the United States Department of Agriculture’s National Organic Program (NOP) standard are overly confusing to consumers.
Dr. Bronner’s makes various products that meet those strict standards. Its own packaging shows the green USDA organic seal.
Mislabelling through generic, non-NOP “organic” claims is “creating all kinds of organic noise,” said company President David Bronner. What “organic” means is unclear to consumers, he said: “In the personal care aisle, chances are it does not correspond at all to your basic expectation of what an organic label should be.”
Bronner’s filed the suit in California under a state law that considers what a “reasonable consumer” would expect a product claim to mean.
Petrochemical ingredients can slip into personal care because companies claim products are “organic” without certification. Little regulation exists. These firms place the word “organic” as large as they like on packaging. Certified firms must follow their standard’s packaging guidelines.
For now, the NOP is a reference point for companies wanting to do organic cosmetics “right”. Bronner’s and US natal-care products firm Earth Mama Angel Baby are two companies currently producing personal care products to that standard.
“There’s a huge controversy about the standards by which organic personal care products should be certified,” said Earth Mama founder Melinda Olson.
The NOP standard is meant for food, and thus bars some common personal care ingredients and processes that most manufacturers agree are safe.
“Asking personal care products to be certified to the NOP standard is like putting them against the wrong yardstick,” said Olson. Still, she said, Earth Mama will be following the NOP standard until a better one is developed.
Such development has been going on for years under NSF International. Bronner and Olson have both participated in the NSF process. Many insiders expect it to lead to a NOP personal care standard.
“It’s more or less done. The standard should be out the door later in the year,” Bronner said.
However, the OASIS standard recently announced by several firms (see story in OWN Summer 2008 print edition) raised alarm bells for Bronner. “OASIS is basically a breakaway from the NSF effort,” he said. Fearing this could create “organic” standards that allow ingredients and processes that Bronner feels should be barred, his firm eventually sued companies it felt were relevant.
Even firms named in the Bronner lawsuit are launching NOP products, suggesting demand for this category is growing. US Nature’s Gate launched a NOP Rainwater Lotions line late this Spring, with the 95% organic ingredient levels NOP requires.
“The line was developed for our customers who are increasingly seeking personal care products that mirror their commitment to organic agriculture and sustainable living,” said the firm’s Laura Setzfand.
The company “strongly supports the need for standards governing the use of the terms organic and natural,” she added. “We are currently evaluating the proposed standards.”
African Pavilion Joins BioFach Germany
Posted - December 12, 2007
Join Organic Africa in BioFach Germany 2008
BioFach (www.biofach.de) is the largest organic trade fair in the world. Exhibitors and buyers come from Africa, Asia, Australia, Europe, Latin America and North America to take advantage of this major business boosting opportunity. Over the years, BioFach has established itself as a meeting place for those involved in organics including traders, exporters, researchers, national movements, consultants, NGOs, policymakers, and development partners. At BioFach 2008, many organizations will join forces to give Africa a prominent role.
There will be an African Pavilion where visitors will enjoy African designs, colours, sounds and flavours. A piazza in the middle will make the pavilion an oasis that attracts the visitors and offers them African coffee, tea, wine, snacks and new innovative beverages. In the country or sub-regional stands, exporters, national organic movements and export promotion agencies will showcase the specialities from the Sub-Saharan countries. The Pavilion will also serve as a hub of information on activities and services of different importers, trade promotion agencies, consultancies, NGO’s and certifiers. It will also offer an opportunity for exhibitors to exchange information and contacts with relevant businesses from all over the world.
In addition to the African Pavilion, there will be a day-long symposium on 23rd February to highlight the status of organics in Africa. Participants will hear about opportunities (and some challenges) for trade and development including the impact of organic agriculture on smallholder farmers; what is being done to further promote organic by governments, private sector and development partners. A high-level panel with policy makers and opinion-makers will discuss the potential of organic agriculture to help achieve the Millennium Development Goals.
The event will be widely covered by African and international media and many journalists have expressed interest in participation. Access to partner organizations’ global networks will also help spread the word about the event. The event is likely to be a great success and more than 50 exporters from Africa are expected to participate.
If you are an exporter in Africa - sign up now and take advantage of this opportunity to expand your business and boost your image, contact us or the national organic movement in your country!
If you are engaged in supporting trade or organic farming in Africa - offer your engagement in making this event a success!
If you are an investor in human development - supporting the event can be one of your best investments in the years to come!
For more: http://www.organicafrica2008.com/
Vivatap Sachet
Posted - September 1, 2004
New Vivatap “Teabag-Like Sachet” Purifies Tap Water On The Go
By O.W.N. - News Network - as printed in O.W.N. Fall 2004
Increasing consumer interest and demand for convenient solutions for improving health and wellness, and the growing volume of consumers always ‘on the go’ inspired chairman Einar Ager-Wick and his team at Health by Nature AS to develop Vivatap. This new development is a ‘teabag-like sachet’ which transforms tap water into tasty chlorine-free water at a fraction of the cost of bottled water. The sachet is made of rice paper and is filled with a carefully selected natural mixture of coral algae from the clear seas off Norway, and shell-sand, calcium ascorbate and chitosan.
“Coral algae is an organism with potent cleaning qualities. The treated coral algae and shell-sand mainly contain calcium carbonate (CaCO3), caustic lime (CaO), various minerals and trace elements that dissolve in water in a low pH”, explained marketing director Thor-Egil Eik.
This powerful combination includes ingredients like acerola powder rose hip powder, rutin and lemon oil that allow Vivatap to neutralize chlorine and stabilize the pH towards 7.5, remove pesticides thanks to the action of the vital natural trace elements, inhibit bacterial growth and improve smell and taste. With Vivatap there are no more expensive and heavy bottles to carry. Transportation of bottled water increases fuel use and costs, causing air pollution, while Vivatap comes in an easy-to-carry pack with 18 sachets, enough to purify up to 36 liters of water. Each outer case or retail box contains 20 Vivatap consumer packs inside enough to supply 720 liters of purer fresher tasting drinking water at at a cost sometimes ten times less than a bottle of water, depending on the local economy.
A health practitioner interested in the research on the important link between water and wellness, Mr. Ager -Wick and his team began research over a decade ago. “In most countries chlorine is added to tap water to cleanse it and keep it free from bacteria. However, once the water has left the tap, chlorine is no longer necessary. It not only adds an unpleasant taste to water, but it is one of the most toxic substances with by products that are linked to disease like cancer. With Vivatap it is possible to drink tap water without chlorine and still bacteria free.”
Vivatap is available in the United States and Northern European countries and was just launched in the UK in June via major distributor Brunel Healthcare. Shoppers in England are currently spending more than £1 billion a year on bottled water, the same amount they spent on organic food in 2003, according to the Soil Association.
Health by Nature AS is looking for distributors and parties interested in a licensing program. “We will make a major investment at the end of 2004 that will allow us to increase production capacity and drop our prices to ensure that Vivatap can be within reach of as many people as possible around the world”.
Fresh water, our major natural resource, is scarce. Eco-friendly initiatives to protect it and avoid waste, while enhancing its properties, is part of the mission at Health by Nature AS and its unique easy-to-use Vivatap.
Aloe Drinks
Posted - September 1, 2004
Aloe Vera Boosts Nutritional Drinks Market
By Isabel Hanley - as printed in O.W.N. Fall 2004
Everyone knows that a balanced diet and exercise are important for maintaining health. Medical systems have also offered pills for all ailments, something which many find convenient. Today, consumers look for easy and convenient solutions, with a minimum change in habits and lifestyles, to increase their performance and ensure wellness. Nutritional drinks aim to fill in this need and are gaining acceptance as another way of maintaining health. Major multinational soft drinks companies are aware of this growing niche market and are investing in the acquisition of functional and organic lines.
Aloe vera, a cactus like plant from the Lily family, contains over 200 active compounds and nutrients, including minerals, amino acids, flavonoids, enzymes and even vitamin B12, which is usually not present in vegetables. With this powerful make-up, aloe vera represents a great ingredient for the production of nutritious drinks.
Aloe is obtained from the sap of the leaves. The extraction is a very old process, dating back to the time of the Arab Empire. According to Jene Hale, marketing director of the International Aloe Science Council (IASC), 99% of the aloe sap content is a very special water that contains 240 valuable constituents and properties in the remaining 1% of solids. The problem with many commercial preparations of aloe vera products is that the quantity of the active ingredient is often virtually non-existent. Therefore aloe vera drinks and other products should be obtained from a completely trusted source and carry, at least , the IASC seal. An additional organic certification will create even greater confidence among end consumers.
Organic Brands
Posted - September 1, 2004
Renowned Organic Names
By O.W.N. News Network - as printed in O.W.N. Fall 2004
Some organic companies have been in business for over 30 years, while others formed more recently. Whether coming from France, the US, Spain or the UK, they all share the same commitment and similar values, ideals and dreams. Tired of the material world and disenchanted with the boom of the 50s and 60s, they all wanted to find a better way of living.
Noting the effects of pollution, over-production and the absurd images of the Vietnam War, they chose to go back to basics, to an organic lifestyle in balance with nature. But the history goes back even further - concern over the side effects of industrialized farming was already evident in the 1920s, before “organic” was a common term, to a small group of vegetarians and environmentalists.
Farmers turned to the famous Rudolf Steiner to learn about “Antrophosophy”, the philosophy he had developed to apply to education, medicine and other disciplines. Biodynamic agriculture was born in the mid-twenties and nurtured the organic movement in the late 60s, 70s and 80s, along with other brilliant thinkers and critics like George Ohsawa , who introduced the principles of macrobiotic to the Western world. We present here some top names in the organic sector, both pioneers and newcomers, who are valued for their contributions and the inspiration they offer.
Demeter
The pioneers. Celebrating in 2004 80 years of biodynamic agriculture operating in all continents. The Demeter brand, once known in every German speaking household thanks to its strong presence at the well established retail outlets Reformhaus reinforces its meaningful name via its partners in several food & beverage categories.
Eden Foods (USA)
Truly grassroots! Over 35 years promoting organics, president Michael Potter is with no doubt one of the most charming and intelligent organic pioneers in North America, who has remained attached to his original values in spite of the steady economic success of his company and brand with reported sales of over 50 million USD in 2003. Eden started as a co-op and produces a full range of organic pastas, beans and other high quality grocery products.
Earthbound Farm (USA)
The US largest grower and supplier of organic produce is celebrating its 20th anniversary! Earthbound’s fresh salads, fruits and vegetables can be seen in supermarkets and natural food stores across the US and Canada.
Rapunzel (Germany)
One of Europe’s leading brand-name manufacturers and distributor of organic goods, Rapunzel is celebrating its 30th anniversary this winter. Still under the ownership of its three original owners, the firm produces over 600 organic products and has developed cooperative work with organic farmers in more than 35 countries worldwide. From production, transformation, packaging, shipping and retailing, Rapunzel strives for innovation and customer service at all levels. Rapunzel Pure Organics, its North American operation facility, opened in 1996 to better serve the U.S. and Canadian markets with its line of chocolates, oils, spreads, soups and snacks.
Whole Foods Market (USA)
The world’s largest retailer of natural and organic foods, with 162 stores in North America and the United Kingdom. In 1980 the firm opened a small store in Austin, Texas. The quality and service driven attitude of Whole Foods‘ growing workforce (27,000 employees) has made it one of the best companies to work for, according to Fortune. Much of its fast growth has been possible through several mergers and acquisitions of successful independent organic operations.
Nature’s Path Foods
Top-selling cereal brands! In an area of 400,000 sqft and with 200 employees, this company has positioned two of its brands, Nature’s Path and EnviroKidz, as the top selling certified USDA organic breakfast cereal in U.S. natural food supermarkets. Nature’s Path Foods, with steady average annual growth of 20% also sells its lines to Canada, the UK, Australia and New Zealand.
Stonyfield Farm
Quality dairy products. Over 20 years, Stonyfield has been committed to making healthy and tasting yogurts, and ice cream with a workforce of 215 members and sales across the U.S.
Irupana (Bolivia)
The first organic retail chain in Latin America with18 stores and a fully integrated operation that offers employment to 1700 indigenous families. From production, processing, packaging, and distribution Irupana has rigorous quality control procedures to ensure shipments of quinoa, amaranto, coffee, tea and honey reach 4,000 customers daily, including export orders to the U.K., Germany and the U.S. Irupana was established in 1987 as a one-person enterprise and today it also supplies organic cereal to 60,000 children from public schools in La Paz.
Sitio do Moinho (Brazil)
First supplier of organic fresh produce to large supermarkets in Brazil. When Dick and Angela Anderson purchased in 1997 their retirement piece of land in Itaipava, Rio de Janeiro, they never thought that in only 7 years a gardening hobby would turn into Sitio do Moinho, a complex production and distribution operation of fresh vegetables to over 350 families and 25,000 units to 30 supermarkets and retailers.
Sekem (Egypt)
Outstanding organic corporation, model business of the 21st century. An infrastructure that reflects the dynamic development of a real alive organism, Sekem is committed to developing sustainable growth in all sectors. It applies the principles of biodynamic agriculture in a network of over 800 farms and six distinctive companies that offer quality herbs, fruits, vegetables, medicinal teas, phytopharmaceuticals and 100% organic Egyptian cotton. Exports account to only 40% of total production
American Health & Nutrition (USA)
Largest US supplier of non-GMO certified organic ingredients. Over 20 years serving the organic sector with quality and reliable grains and flours, dried fruits, oils, nuts, sweeteners and starches, cocoa, beans and soybean products. American Health & Nutrition sources products certified by OCIA, JAS, ECOCERT and QAI.
Fourth Intercot
Posted - September 1, 2004
Intercot Celebrates 4th Edition
By Adriana Michael - as printed in O.W.N. Fall 2004
The 4th intercot International Conference on Organic Textiles will be celebrated simultaneously with the All Things Organic trade show at McCormick Place in Chicago, May 1-3, 2005.
Its main topic Global Approaches to Organic Textiles, will explore cultivation challenges, processing, and organic textile harmonization, marketing strategies and social accountability. Intercot is a well known world forum and a key event for everyone throughout the textile chain, including farmers, processors, traders, consultants, designers, NGOs, researchers and anyone interested in organic textiles.
It will be presented by the Organic Trade Association (OTA) and organized by it fits-Organic Development Support, a German textile consulting firm that assists enterprises in the development of ecological and sustainable innovations and concepts.
It fits also offers an interesting selection of books and guides in German and English for alternative management of textile companies, sourcing of organic fibres and sustainable design solutions. For more information contact company director katharina.paulitsch@itfits.de.
Organic Growth
Posted - September 1, 2004
To Bio Or Not To Bio:
Seals that Prove Organic Quality
By Staff - Organic & Wellness News - as printed in O.W.N. Fall 2004
“Organic” has become the top retail label, as it is the fastest growing segment of the global food industry worth around $ 23 billion USD, according to the Organic Trade Association (OTA). For over a decade products labeled as organic have shown a steady growth rate of 15% to 20% in the most industrialized nations. Total food sales usually grow at a rate of 3% to 5%. The organic sector is now in transition from a niche market reserved for a few truly vegetarians and environmentalists, to a mainstream trend among consumers from all social segments, cultures and backgrounds.
Besides the benefits that organic production offer to the environment and our wellness, there are opportunistic business people that without much concern in the background and philosophical roots of the organic movement, want to share a piece of the cake. And it is because of the threat of unscrupulous behavior and the lack of enough valid, clear and constant information to the mainstream consumer that the organic sector needs to find ways to offer transparency and legitimacy. It has to explain consumers why the price of an organic product is higher, sometimes up to 20% or more than its conventional counterpart. Consumers do not want to pay more if they cannot see and taste the difference immediately. We are a society used to immediate gratification and have difficulty understanding that quality means time, perseverance, and effort - in short, more costs involved.
Certification, transparency, information, are key elements to support the healthy growth of the organic movement now that it is navigating through the waves of the mainstream market. Keeping consumers as close as possible to the distribution chain, showing them how organic production differs from conventional practices and stimulating more research to see the real impact of organic food and products to our health and well being are constant challenge for the sector. It is hard to tell the difference between an organic and a conventional apple. But the logo that identifies a “bio” product tells the consumer that there has been an extra effort producing that apple, no pesticides, no chemicals, more manual labor, fair wages, cleaner water and richer soil, shorter delivery time to the retail shelf, inspections and proper certification. Still the organic sector represents less than 2% of the total market, but it can continue a healthy growth if the other 98% finds proper answers to the question “to bio or not to bio”.
The following pages present some of the most important seals that guarantee the organic quality and the names of some pioneers of the organic movement to whom we owe today the possibility of more access to healthier products and better purchasing decisions.
How Big is the Organic Market?
According to theInternational Trade Center(ITC), worldwide organic sales in 2003 were around 23 billion EUR. The USA is the largest single market (12 billion EUR) followed by the European Union (10.6 billion EUR). Germany represents the strongest European market for organic products (3 million EUR) followed by Great Britain (1.7 billion EUR), Italy (1.4 billion EUR) and France (1.3 billion EUR). Japan’s organic sales were around 400 million EUR and over the next few years, the Middle East represents one of the most promising emerging markets.
Legislation and Standards
The EC Council Regulation 2092/91 provides the guidelines and practices allowed in organic farming and the growing, inspection and certification system that must be followed. This Regulation applies to all ingredients and steps in the production chain. All foods labeled as “organic” must come from producers, transformers and importers registered with an approved certification body and subject to regular inspection.
Why Organic Certification?
Organic certification provides an assurance to consumers that the products have been produced, processed and/or handled under strict organic procedures and comply with available regulations. Products that carry certification seals convey the confidence of an unbroken ‘chain of custody’ that all contributed materials or processes have been individually certified. The organic quality seals have been mandatory in Europe since 1991 and in the United States since October 2002. Some countries have national standard organic seals for easy recognition of all organic products. They also include the name and/or logo of the certification body.
- Certification Bodies:
These are independent agencies that should not have direct relationship with the producer or transformer of an organic product. They measure and evaluate to determine whether the product complies with national and international standards. The certifying agencies are accredited by organizations that validate their status through international norms to ensure transparency, confidentiality and efficiency in procedures followed. Some countries have several approved certification agencies, but only a few are internationally recognized. - Certification Costs:
Certification is expensive and explains in part the high price of organic products. Some traders may prefer one specific certification agency, so producers, especially those willing to export, sometimes need to obtain certification from several agencies in each country, and every year, as the validity of a certification is annual. Travel and accommodation costs, per diem and daily professional fees for the field inspection are extra costs are paid by the producer, in addition to internal expenses incurred by the agency during the process. These high costs hurt predominantly smaller organic producers from developing countries, even though many receive international subsidies from NGOs and other organizations to amortize them.
“Certification is needed, but the way it is conducted has the danger of turning into a ‘bio-colonialism’”, emphasized Pedro Landa of Certificadoras Latinoamericanas. Landa addressed the need of cost-effective procedures like internal control protocols, strategic alliances, understanding those local agricultural practices that add value to sustainability and that would not have to change but to be complemented with new technologies or farming methods.
Soap Nuts
Posted - September 1, 2004
Soap Nuts: The Clean Alternative
By Anneliese Graschy - as printed in O.W.N. Fall 2004
Soap nuts are the ultimate alternative for environmentally friendly washing and cleaning. They can contribute to sustainability in a large way in rural areas. Ritha (sapindus mukorossi) is one of the best-known species of wild or domestic trees for soap-nuts. It belongs to the Sapindaceae group. There are also similar species growing naturally in South America, which are more widely used for medical purposes. Ritha soap trees come from the northern plains of the Ganges river in India and grow as far up as the southern slopes of the Himalayas.
Ancient cultures in China and Afghanistan have used them since ancient times. They grow up to 25 m high, with a lifespan of some 70 years, and provide more than fruit. The large branches and leaves offer shadow and the wood, hard and light yellow, is used as building material in rural areas. Ritha foliage, serves as cattle fodder during drought. In the Indian Ayurveda culture, the fresh flesh of the nut is of major importance for medicine. In Tibetan medicine it is used to treat common colds, epilepsy and constipation.
The dried fruit of Ritha is the most valuable part of the plant as far as the use in the western world is concerned, stated of Ulrich Helberg of Karibu Trade, a consulting and trading firm for rural eco-friendly enterprises. “Its fleshy portion has saponin, a good substitute for washing soap. Ordinary detergents have chemicals harmful to our water and the environment”.
The gentle, organic ways of ritha nuts do a much healthier, sustainable job. Many of the allergies common today could be avoided by using these nuts for our general body and clothes washing. Three or four nuts bundled in an old stocking, and there they go into the washing machine! Once the job is done, they can be used as hand soap.
Ritha fruits preserve your clothes and skin, wastewater and the environment. Planting the trees prevents erosion. The soap nuts also offer sustainability: Karibu Trade provides a steady and fair income to 40 north Indian families involved in its collection, packaging and transport, all in conformity with European certifying rules and controlling bodies.
Tracing
Posted - September 1, 2004
Agroisolab Introduces Water-Based Food Tracing System:
Geographical Fingerprints in Food Ingredients Add Transparency to Organic Chain
By Staff - Organic & Wellness News - as printed in O.W.N. Fall 2004
Has corn syrup adulterated a shipment of organic honey? Is a shipment of organic butter really made from milk coming from cows fed with GM maize? With the organic sector now exporting widely, more and more transformers, traders and consumers will be asking such questions. Agroisolab, a German state-of-the-art laboratory offers precise answers.
An organic producer, transformer or distributor will usually assume that a product labeled organic is organic. You may know who your suppliers are and you may keep all certification and a meticulous track of your transactions. And you may still, on occasion, be wrong.
The problem: as demand grows more reputable and successful organic providers face supply shortages. They must import goods or fill in a gap with products from a different source. These sources may claim to be 100% organically certified. Yet there are those who will fill in the gap in distribution illegally, with false claims. There have been scandals in the organic sector because of this scenario.
“An isotopic analysis of a small sample of the product in question provides reliable information about the quality and legitimacy of the origin of the products you are buying”, said Sven Burucker of Agroisolab GmbH, a laboratory established from the joint venture between Agrosom GmbH in Echem and the Research Center in Juelich, Germany.
“The structure of water changes depending on the region where it comes from”, stated Burucker. “Water leaves a ‘geographic fingerprint’ in all organic matter and the isotope analysis shows this natural labeling by the internal structure of elements such as hydrogen, oxygen, nitrogen, carbon dioxide and sulfur that have different isotopes depending on the geographical location”. Plants and animals take water from their environment. So the water in their tissue shows the isotopic ratio of their region. As a result there is a natural invisible fingerprint that cannot be changed by chemical additives.
The isotope analysis is a technology known for over 25 years in the wine and beer industries and to serve archaeologists and geologists and other research fields. But it was only recently introduced to serve other foodstuffs. Agroisolab is one of the few laboratories capable of analyzing isotopes of all bio-elements and the last two years has been able to trace back the origin of samples of raw vegetables, fruits, eggs, milk, honey and transformed food like butter and jams to a particular region or even to the farm itself.
“You do not only need excellent technology, but an interdisciplinary team of qualified agricultural scientists, biologists, food chemists, agricultural and chemical engineers”, said Burucker. Agroisolab has a dynamic, interdisciplinary in-house team under the leadership of Prof. Hilmar Foerstel and managing director Markus Boner, with the back-up support of laboratories specializing in other fields, if their customers request further research. “If a company needs a test, they send us a sample in a vacuum package and the results are provided within 5-10 working days, at a cost ranging between 200 Euros and 350 Euros per sample”, declared Burucker.
Agroisolab serves retail chains, traders, food producer associations, food inspection agencies and other authorities, especially those dealing with products from the European Union. “We have been able to identify fraud cases of adulterated wine and honey, or shipments that claim a fake country of origin to take advantage of the subsidies”, said Burucker.
Prof. Foerstel’s team can see differences between milk coming from the USA and Canada or even between Northern and Southern Japan. But if a sample of butter is made with milk from different regions, it is harder to establish the geographic fingerprint. “Then you know there might be a case of fraud if the paperwork tells otherwise”, said Burucker. And although Agroisolab has a worldwide database mapping the water structures, they also need, in special situations, a sample of the foodstuff from the claimed region of origin.
The organic sector now exports widely. Consumers and politicians are demanding ways to guarantee tracing systems to justify organic food’s higher price. Improved analytical quality and requirements for laboratory certification and accreditation, especially with GM crop concerns, are pushing issues of quality control and quality assurance to a higher level of importance for organic companies. Also, EU ordinance 178/2002, in effect in 2005, will force supermarkets and retailers to offer products from suppliers guaranteeing the traceability of feed and food ingredients along the production/distribution chain. “The demand for reliable procedures like isotope analysis will increase rapidly and Agroisolab is prepared to offer this reliable and inexpensive method to ensure full traceability from stable to table”, concluded Burucker.
Wise With Water
Posted - September 1, 2004
Water: Handle With Care
By Adriana Michael - as printed in O.W.N. Fall 2004
Water is far more than a commodity. A waterless Earth is a dead Earth. We can live for weeks without food. We can live but a few days without water. Water makes up over 70% of our bodies and 90% of our brains. Water breaks down food, moves nutrients around the body, controls body temperature, carries waste out of it and keeps our skin elastic. Water is life! But fresh water is scarce: 97% the Earth’s water is salt. Of the rest freshwater, only 2% is ice, 0.8% groundwater and less than 0.2% comes from rivers, lakes, clouds and springs. In short, we can consume less than 1% of all water available! Industries imbibe much. To make almost any manufactured good, you must use water. Chart 1 (page 2) shows how much water industries use to make common raw and processed foods.
Water: Use Wisely
A report in Partnerschaft (#177 August 2004), says that global agriculture and landscaping practices use at least 70% of available fresh water. Large irrigation systems have lead to pollution in rivers and the drying up of wetlands. Landscaping takes a tremendous amount of fresh water, specially to maintain green lawns that besides extra work do not bring much benefit to the soil and the environment. With respect to household consumption Dr. med. Barbara Hendel, author and medical authority in the treatment of health problems with water notes that 68% of tap water is used in activities related to the bathroom. Tap water by law has to be 100% drinkable, but most efforts to supply clean, bacteria-free water end up in the toilette. Dr. Hendel reports that approximately 12% of the tap water is used in the wash machine, 18% for other household activities like dish and car washing or gardening and only 2% of the tap water is actually used for cooking. Chart 2 (page 3) shows up to how much water is used in households in industrialized nations.
Given great need and fresh water’s scarcity, are we using this resource wisely or wasting it? The following pages highlight the relevance of this fascinating subject and present some of the most advanced research firms that, after years of intensive study, have identified unique and eco-friendly solutions for offering clear spring water at the retail shelves or transforming tap and waste water into its natural pure state, and available to all.
