Historic agreement on organic equivalency between the USA and Canada
Posted - September 21, 2009
Canada launches organic regulations
Submitted by the Organic Trade Association in Canada
Canada’s long-awaited Organic Products Regulations (OPR) came into effect on June 30, 2009. The regulations make it mandatory for all food, drink, livestock, livestock feed labelled organic to be certified as compliant with Canada’s organic standards.
At the same time, the U.S. and Canada launched a historic agreement equivalency between the two nations’ organic systems. This agreement will allow the continued smooth flow of certified organic products between the two countries and support the growth of this rapidly expanding market in North America. This first international equivalency for the organic industry was formally signed in June at the Organic Trade Association conference All Things Organic ™ in Chicago.
Organic products in Canada must now be certified to the Canadian standards by a certifier accredited by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA), or deemed equivalent by a USDA-accredited certifier under the terms of the equivalency agreement. The organic labelling claims permitted in Canada are:
- “Organic” (including such claims and phonetic variations as “organically raised, grown, produced, etc.”) for single ingredient products or those with 95% or more organic ingredients. Must be certified and carry the certifier name on the packaging. Eligible to use the “Biologique Canada Organic” logo. Imported products using the logo must also include “Product of X” or “Imported” adjacent to the logo.
- “XX% organic ingredients” (percentage is rounded down to the nearest whole number) for multi-ingredient products with 70-95% organic ingredients. This differs from the “Made With” claim under the NOP. Must be certified and carry the certifier name on the packaging. Not eligible for the “Biologique Canada Organic” logo.
- No organic claims are allowed on the label of products with less than 70% organic ingredients, except in the ingredient panel. It is impossible for such products to be certified.
- Unlike the US, Canada does not allow a “100% Organic” claim.
Phase-in Policy
Together with the Canadian sector, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) has developed a “stream of commerce and enforcement policy” for the first 24-month phase-in of the regulations. During this time, the Canadian regulations and standards are in effect, however CFIA will take a “soft” enforcement approach that will include educating operators if products are found to be non-compliant.
Operators with non-compliant products will be required to provide CFIA with a plan describing how and when they will come into full compliance with the Canada Organic Regime. This applies to labelling as well as standards compliance. Such products will remain on the market as a matter of course, unless CFIA deems the non-compliance serious enough to warrant action.
The full enforcement policy is necessary reading for anyone marketing in Canada and is available on the web site of OTA in Canada, at www.ota-canada.ca
Germany’s battle against GMOs far from over
Posted - May 15, 2009
Monsanto files lawsuit against German government for ban on GMO
By Malea Birke
In retaliation for the recent German decision to ban GMO corn, its producer, biotechnology company Monsanto, has filed a lawsuit against the government, alleging the ban is unjustified. Last month, Agricultural Minister Ilse Aigner banned the cultivation and sale of MON 810– genetically modified corn seed, which produces a toxin to fight off a certain pest, the corn borer moth.
The crop was due to be planted this year on a total area of around 3,600 hectares in Brandenburg, where Germany’s capital, Berlin, is located. The cultivation of MON 810 is already banned in five other EU member states, namely Austria, Hungary, Greece, France and Luxembourg.
Aigner has said the decision was made to prevent “danger to the environment,” supported by the Environmental Minister. Monsanto defended its product, in a statement translated from German:
“We are convinced that the reasons, which led to the decision of minister Aigner, are not adequate to pull the product in doubt. They do not justify a ban,” said Dr. Holger Ophoff, leader of the allowance department Monsanto agricultural Germany GMBH.
Aigner also said her decision only applies to GM corn—not future genetic engineering decisions—and is justified, based on a clause in an EU law that gives individual countries freedom to impose restrictions. Yet IFOAM President Katherine DiMatteo believes the decision will set an important precedent.
“IFOAM is pleased that Germany has taken a precautionary approach and has not approved GMO corn seed for use,” she said. This decision helps protect all farms from unwanted cross-contamination from GMO corn and is a significant step in slowing down the indiscriminate acceptance of GMOs.”
DiMatteo said it’s especially satisfying that the decision was based on the threats of this GMO seed variety to the environment.
“Any serious consideration of environmental impacts should raise doubts about the safety of GMOs and support a sound scientific decision to ban GMO seeds.“I believe this was a choice in favour of environmental protection and sustainability.”
Meanwhile, many farmers in Germany who do not believe in GMO agriculture have gone a step further and initiated the process to declare GMO-free regions. There are 188 GMO-free regions in Germany, including 30,000 farmers.
These are groups of apiculturists, organic and conventional farmers who declare, in a personal and voluntary commitment, to abstain from GMO cultivation.
Most are located in the south of Germany, where farmers are well organized through strong community relationships. The former eastern region has yet little farming cooperative initiatives, but contains the main growth of GMO. There has been less pressure among neighbours and there is more land, so contamination has not posed an issue – yet. What unifies all is antipathy for the power of “multinational companies.”
There are now six initiatives in Brandenburg. Whether the initiatives remain active depends on support from consumers as well as NGOs, who help with infrastructure, maps and event management. “I assume that the GMO-discussion will last years, if not decades,” says one of the participants. “Therefore it is important to remain alert if there is an announcement of GMO-growing.” Right now, a seventh region is organizing itself. The goal is, again, “to remain GMO-free.”
But the global battle against GMOs is far from over. Not long after her decision to ban GMO corn, German Minister of Agriculture, Ilse Aigner, announced permission to grow the GM potato “Amflora.” A trial area of 20 hectares has been approved for the cultivation of the GM potato.
The decision shows the earlier ban was not to be a blanket ban of all GM crops, but was imposed due to environmental risks.
DiMatteo hopes the ban will inspire more critical thinking about GMOs.
“Hopefully other countries in Europe will follow suit and ban this particular GMO variety and adopt more scepticism about the necessity and presumed benefits of GMO seeds.”
USA organic sector
Posted - May 7, 2009
OTA welcomes $50 Million USDA funding for organic sector
By O.W.N. network
The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s recent announcement of $50 million in new funding to foster greater production of organics in the country has thrilled the Organic Trade Association, who sees this as a significant boost.
“The Organic Trade Association is pleased to see this support and recognition from USDA that organic farming practices represent positive environmental practices,” said Christine Bushway, OTA’s Executive Director, in a statement. “OTA believes that this funding will further encourage farmers to use such practices and help increase the U.S. production of organic food to meet growing consumer demand.”
The funds are available only to producers who are certified through the National Organic Program (NOP)or who are in the process of transitioning to organic production, under the Environmental Quality Incentives Program, administered by USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service.
Under this program, new contracts for organic production are issued for six core practices, specifically: conservation crop rotation, cover crops, nutrient management, pest management, prescribed grazing, and forage harvest management. A portion of the money has been allocated for each state. The funding will be capped at $20,000 per year, and registration for the special organic contracts begins May 11 and ends on May 29.
Meanwhile, Kathleen Merrigan, USDA’s Deputy Secretary of Agriculture, also recently announced to the National Organic Standards Board that USDA plans to create a division within the agency dedicated exclusively to organic agriculture, a significant move as the National Organic Program is currently part of the Transportation and Marketing Program within USDA’s Agricultural Marketing Service.
Barbara Robinson, Deputy Administrator of Transportation and Marketing, had told attendees at OTA’s Policy Conference in late March that the National Organic Program is ready to stand on its own, which the OTA sees as more encouraging news for the industry.
“OTA is also very pleased to hear this news, and will eagerly await further word on how this will take place,” Bushway said.
The Organic Trade Association is a membership-based business association for the organic sector in North America. Since 1985, OTA has worked to protect organic agriculture, standards and trade. In Canada OTA has an office dedicated to developing the organic sector in this country.Membership to OTA is also open to companies based outside of the United States and Canada. members to OTA enjoy a variety of benefits and networking opportunities.
More information www.ota.com
GMO Update
Posted - May 1, 2009
Monsanto files lawsuit against German government for ban on GMO
By Malea Birke
In retaliation for the recent German decision to ban GMO corn, its producer, biotechnology company Monsanto, has filed a lawsuit against the government, alleging the ban is unjustified.
Last month, Agricultural Minister Ilse Aigner banned the cultivation and sale of MON 810– genetically modified corn seed, which produces a toxin to fight off a certain pest, the corn borer moth.
The crop was due to be planted this year on a total area of around 3,600 hectares in Germany, mainly in Brandenburg, where Germany’s capital, Berlin, is located.
The cultivation of MON 810 is already banned in five other EU member states, namely Austria, Hungary, Greece, France and Luxembourg.
Aigner has said the decision was made to prevent “danger to the environment,” supported by the Environmental Minister.
Monsanto defended its product, in a statement translated from German: “We are convinced that the reasons, which led to the decision of minister Aigner, are not adequate to pull the product in doubt. They do not justify a ban,” said Dr. Holger Ophoff, leader of the allowance department Monsanto agricultural Germany GMBH.
Aigner also said her decision only applies to GM corn—not future genetic engineering decisions—and is justified, based on a clause in an EU law that gives individual countries freedom to impose restrictions.
Meanwhile, many farmers in Germany who do not yet believe in GMO agriculture have gone a step further and initiated the process to declare GMO-free regions.
There are 188 GMO-free regions in Germany, including 30,000 farmers. These are groups of apiculturists, organic and conventional farmers who declare, in a personal and voluntary commitment, to abstain from GMO cultivation.
Most are organized in the south of Germany, where farmers are well organized though strong community relationships. The former eastern region has yet little farming cooperative initiatives, but contains the main growth of GMO.
About 98 per cent of the GMO-corn to be grown in Germany was scheduled to be planted there in 2009 and 45 per cent of that was to be grown in Brandenburg, where it has been easier for GMO companies like Monsanto to convince farmers to grow it.
There has been less pressure among neighbors because there is more land, so contamination has not posed an issue – yet.
But farmers in Brandenburg have little political tradition that unites organic farmers with farmers who moved from south to east. The GMO-free regions can change that, in uniting different groups. “There are three main groups,” says one of the involved farmers, “farmers, environmentalists and consumers. The formation is different, depending on the region.”
What unifies all is antipathy for the power of “multinational companies.” There are now six initiatives in Brandenburg. Whether the initiatives remain active depends on support from consumers as well as NGOs who help with infrastructure, maps and event management.
“I assume that the GMO-discussion will last years, if not decades,” says one of the participants. “Therefore it is important to remain alert if there is an announcement of GMO-growing.” Right now, a seventh region is organizing itself. The goal is, again, “to remain GMO-free.”
Green Perseveres Through Tough Times
Posted - March 30, 2009
Recession or Not, Green Still the Way to Go
By Adriana Michael, O.W.N.
Unemployment rates have been on the rise around the world, and the financial crisis at its peak in strong countries like the United States and the United Kingdom. This uncertainty anticipated a gloomy economy and a tough business environment for 2009. The good news is that by the end of the first trimester, the organic and natural sectors continue showing strong performance, although not at the same growth rate as in previous years.
Organic consumers are well informed, committed and have a firm idea of their purchasing priorities. In the US and Europe the industry reports steady sales of organic fruits, vegetables, dairy products, grains, bread and meat. In Germany market research firm Nielsen Co. conducted a survey of 9,000 households this past February, 54 percent of the respondents said that they may have to adjust and give up a few things due to the economic crisis, but their lifestyle will not change much. 29 percent stated that the crisis will not affect their lifestyle and purchasing decisions. “Over 75 percent of the respondents said that in spite of the recession they would not give up buying organic, natural or health related products”, says Brigitte Arndt-Rausch of Nielsen Co. GmbH.
Conventional supermarkets, pharmacy chains and discounters lead the growth of organic sales in Germany, which enjoys a 40 percent market share. And consumers will look to the large retailers’ own brands and other more affordable alternatives, in order to stay committed to the values and beliefs that trigger their purchasing of organic certified goods, adds Arndt –Rausch.” Higher prices for organics will be accepted only if the products show a strong difference from lower priced goods in terms of taste, quality, nutrition content and positive health, environmental and social claims.
According to the Organic Trade Association, in the last decade organic food sales in the USA have grown 15 to 21 percent each year. And even though in 2008 organic sales were lower than the 23 percent projected sales of $23.6 billion, (the report has not been released at the time of writing) new research from The Natural Marketing Institute (NMI), reveals that consumers are increasingly incorporating organic products into their lifestyles. “Total household penetration across six product categories increased from 57 percent in 2006 to 59 percent in 2007”, according to NMI.
In Australia 61% of grocery buyers buy organic products, while there is some evidence of a slowing in sales of some of the more expensive packaged organic products, reports the Organic Federation of Australia (OFA). “(Sales of organics) continue to increase because consumers are buying more organic products for home consumption, rather than spending on more expensive items such as cars and TVs,” said in a release Andre Leu, OFA’s chairman.
In the UK, where consumption of organic food have indeed experienced one of the largest declines during the financial crisis, non-foods such as energy-saving light bulbs showed extremely strong sales. “In the last three months of 2008, 12.3 million of them were sold in the UK, up from 8.9 million in the same quarter of 2007, an increase of 38.2%”, the BBC recently reported, adding that “a lot of the increase may be attributed to the falling price of the bulbs”.
While we may not be seeing the accelerated growth rates of previous years, it has been encouraging to observe the positive attitude and high traffic at the fairs this trimester, much to the relief of the socially and environmentally responsible entrepreneurs and consumers. There is no doubt that, in spite of the economic recession, green is and will continue to be the way to go!
Brazil Third in Organic Farms
Posted - March 30, 2009
Brazil Ranks Third in Number of Organic Farms
OrganicsBrasil Reported Successful Participation at Biofach
By Sofia Garcia, O.W.N.
Brazil, a country known for the cultivation of both exotic and staple food ingredients, currently ranks third in terms of number of organic farms, according to a recent survey by the International Federation of Organic Agriculture Movements (IFOAM).
This vast Latin American country, which concentrates most of the Amazon rainforest, has been leading the world in production or export volume of coffee, soy beans, cane sugar, orange juice and beef. Now it also offers a wide range of organic certified products for export. Thirty one exhibitors with quality ingredients such as cashews, acai berries, cacao, coffee, and processed foods, supplements, essential oils, cosmetics and even apparel made of organic certified cotton were on display at the OrganicsBrasil Pavilion at Biofach in Nuremberg, Germany this past February 19-22. Exotic Umbu fruit jam and Baru nuts, where two new product introductions at the fair.
OrganicsBrasil also had a stand for the first time at Vivaness (Biofach’s sister and parallel fair for personal care products), with leading Brazilian natural cosmetics firms Ecove and Surya present. Beraca, Brazilian leading supplier of natural and ethical cosmetic ingredients was also showing its range for the third time, first under the umbrella of OrganicsBrasil. “Biofach ‘09 was impressive”, said Filipe Sabara, Beraca’s business director. “The organic market has been growing each year in different product categories, and in the personal care market, it was amazing to see an increase of exhibitors and visitors, compared to Biofach last year”. Sabara added that visitors seemed more focused and knowing the products they wanted to find.
The Beraca group is working hard to supply products that will help natural cosmetics manufacturers continue strong focus on “naturally and organically” claims, which may help them go through tough economic times. Surya export manager Vinicius Vasconcelos was also satisfied with the response to his line at Biofach. “Interest has been high and we have excellent medium term prospects for closing deals with retailers and importers.” Surya’s products use ingredients from the Amazon and are fair trade certified.
According to Ming Liu, OrganicsBrasil project manager, the thirty one Brazilian exhibitors at Biofach generated an estimated $21.8 million in sales opportunities.
“Despite fewer visitors, approximately 30% less than previous years, we noted that those who did appear were more objective, focused on closing deals and establishing long term partnerships”, said Ming Liu. “The results achieved by Brazilian participants were solid and positive.” This season OrganicsBrasil also had a pavilion at Expo West in Annaheim , March 5-8 and is joining the Brazilian pavilion at Sial Montreal, April 1-3 exploring the Canadian market.
More information available at www.organicsbrasil.org.
Organic in the Personal Care Aisle
Posted - January 12, 2009
A Pretty Controversy
By Adrian Larose
A new European “organic” cosmetics standard has reignited debate over what it should take to be labeled organic in the personal care aisle, and who should be involved in making those decisions. The Cosmos (Cosmetic Organic) Standard is being developed by seven major European organizations, including EcoCert, BDIH and the Soil Association.
Certifiers, manufacturers, and industry organizations have all come under fire regarding how similar or different from organic food regulations organic personal care (including cosmetics and hygiene) products should be. Some argue what consumers put on their skin and give their children should be as healthy and natural as anything they eat, while others argue the non-organic – for now – necessity of certain large-scale chemical processes and ingredients.
Consumers already face a formidable array of various certified organic, made with organic, and natural claims as they purchase healthier ways to care for themselves. Between big names like the Soil Association and EcoCert, industry alliances such as Cosmos (in Europe) and Oasis (in North America), and various “natural” standards, there is no one acknowledged central player.
The USDA’s NOP food standard could be applied to personal care, perhaps with minor changes, many in the industry have suggested. “My company, Organic Essence, only makes USDA 95% to 100%- certified organic,” said Ellery West, president of Organic Essence. “Many large, established concerns claim that most body care products cannot be made to USDA made with standards, not to mention certified organic standards. They are wrong.”
“They have a tremendous investment in their current business models, and their branding strategies are well set,” West argues. “It is much more cost-effective to make your brand look natural, and advertise it as such, then to actually make a genuine organic product.” Her firm has just created biodegradable packaging for its lip balm and shea butters, green products in many senses of the word.
Not all standards are created equal. The Organic Consumers Association, a US consumer advocates group, gave the US NOP food standard 5 stars (when applied to bodycare), the Oasis US industry-led standard 0.5 stars, the Soil Association 3, US NSF standard 3.5, “natural” standard Natrue 0.5, and EcoCert zero.
“Consumers automatically assume that the entire product is organic and that the product itself is certified organic,” Michelle Thomas, owner of US wholesale distributor KISO Organics, said of organic labelling in personal care. “This is very rarely the case.” While a USDA NOP product (whether food or personal care) must have 95% organic ingredients and meet other requirements to feature an organic label, and at least 70% organic ingredients to have a made with organic label, standards such as Cosmos could allow firms to apply “organic” labels with organic content of as low as 20%.
Labels that use large-print, simple “organic” wording without being clear about the percentages are one hot-button issue. Being the big name star, EcoCert is pointed at as not being clear with consumers about what the word “organic” means on its diverse labels; just to look at the list of approved raw materials on its website requires a password given only to organizations that register with EcoCert.
“Personally, I will only use products that are certified organic to food grade standards,” said Thomas. Others argue such standards eliminate too many reasonable options.
Supply-chain issues do exist, West said. For instance, David Bronner of Dr. Bronner’s Magic Soaps, generally very supportive of stringent, food-safe standards, highlighted a complex manufacturing process that turns oils into key cosmetic ingredients. “The operations that do this are very capital-intensive, huge-volume operations, and impossible to get a small dedicated batch run with certified organic oil exclusively within any reasonable cost-efficiency structure,” he said, his firm having researched the topic. Organic operations do not yet consume enough of the end ingredient, he suggested, to finance an organic run-through in such a processing plant.
Still, allowing these difficult ingredients to “sunset” by permitting use for several years until the organic supply chain improves is not frank with consumers, West said. “Though well meaning, these new standards will not give health conscious consumers what they want other than confusion as to what ‘organic’ really means.”
Even water is a problem. Standards approach it differently. The USDA NOP considers it neutral – neither organic nor non-organic. If a product is, say, 70% water (as plenty of personal care items are), only the remaining 30% is considered. “Organic consumers know that the non-organic content cannot be more than 5% by non-water product weight,” Bronner said of certified organic NOP personal care.
The Cosmos standard requires 20% organic content. It counts water as non-organic, seemingly justifying this low percentage. Yet, Bonner said, “there is no implicit and accurate disclosure of non-organic non-water content” – which might constitute up to 80% of the product.
Large organizations are already taking sides. Cosmos members account for more than 1,000 certified companies and 11,000 products in about 40 countries. Firms like Clorox, a large US conventional firm, are buying up “natural” consumer-oriented companies such as Burt’s Bees, a purchase Clorox made in 2008.
Some small entrepreneurs see their own position as an advantage, though. “Small, nimble firms can innovate circles around the established behemoths. Size and scale can get in the way of innovation,” West said. Little firms have the flexibility to create genuinely organic product and standards.
And innovation is just what is needed to help gradually develop a uniform, accepted standard as to what “organic” will mean when a consumer wanders out of the produce section and into the personal care aisle.
Danish Lead 2009
Posted - November 1, 2008
Denmark Country of the Year at BioFach 2009
By Adriana Michael - as printed in O.W.N. Fall 2008
Next year in February, Biofach, the most international and influential fair for organic trade celebrates its 20th anniversary. Denmark has been selected “Country of the Year” to greet and share its amazing success story in the organic sector with over 46,000 visitors and around 2,900 exhibitors.
This is no surprise for those in the know. Denmark has a strong history of environmentalism. The country is a pioneer and trailblazer in wind power.
Today Danes spend an average of 80 Euros a year per person on organic food, making this small country of over 5 million people, the leader in the European Union (EU). Sales of Danish organic products grew by 33% in 2007. A 6.5% of all food sold in the country comes from organic sources. The capital city of Copenhagen enjoys a 12%, while the Danish government scores even higher than the citizens, with 45% of food requirements in schools, hospitals and other official areas coming from organic production.
“We have chosen Denmark because it has one of the world’s leading organic markets,” said in a release Udo Funke, managing director of BioFach in Nuernberg. Biofach management is convinced Denmark will continue to play an important role on the organic market in the future. “Denmark is a strong export-partner with internationally recognised organic products.”
How did Danemark reach this benchmark?
Denmark was the first country in the world to introduce a state-controlled organic certification, represented by a red Ø-mark, says Paul Holmbeck, managing director of Organic Denmark, a national umbrella organization that coordinates all private and public efforts for the proper development of the organic sector in the country. “Our national organic mark is trusted by Danish consumers and enjoys a 94% recognition rate”, says Holmbeck. “People in Denmark believe in our government institutions”. If someone tries to break the rules, the process goes very public and this openeness creates consumer trust.
Holmbeck also believes that the merging of all consumer, farmer and trade organic associations in 2002 under the umbrella – Organic Danemark – was a real turning point in the country’s organic movement.
The merger of eight main different organic associations was a process that started back in 1998, when the first step was to move offices of all entities to the same building. Holmbeck has been involved with the organization since the beginning and has seen first hand the process of internal restructuring and organization that has made Organic Danemark the powerhouse it is today.
“We had the same objectives and worked on the procedures to make sure all needs of all entities were addressed and covered,” says Holmbeck. Having one voice, one umbrella has empowered the movement and its members even further. “Communication with government officials and the media and reaching end consumers has been much effective”, adds Nanna Hyldegaard Hansen, public relations manager for Organic Danemark.
One of the main accomplishments of the Danish organic sector i since its pioneering years has been the cooperation of farmers and processors with the major supermarket chains, a task that Organic Danemark has developed even further.
“We created a tailor-made marketing strategy with each chain,” says Holmbeck. “They are competitors and know we work with all of them, but we make sure to offer each chain added value for our relationship with them.”
Another contributing aspect to the strong development of the organic sector has been the product differentiation, thanks to strong cooperation between organic producers, research institutions and Universities and the amazing support received from the government. “Danemark enjoys an environment that rewards innovation and a commitment to product development and to find more sustainable ways to obtain consumer goods”, says Holmbeck.
Given Denmark’s high levels of organic food consumption, it’s a sure bet that their strategy has paid off. Holmbeck also says that Organic Danemark is using the same approach to increase export activity with supermarket chains outside the country. During Biofach 2009 in Germany, visitors and exhibitors will enjoy a series of seminars and presentations to showcase Danemark’s success story and the different aspects of the programs currently in place , besides the release of results from research showing more evidence of the strong relationship between health issues and organic farming.
Canadian Serial Codes Improve
Posted - November 1, 2008
Canada Expands Organic Data Tracking
By O.W.N. News Network - as as printed in O.W.N. Fall 2008
Incisive data on organic trade is increasingly available, thanks to Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada’s (AAFC) pioneering efforts. “Canada is the only country in the world that is now tracking organic products,” states AAFC Market Development Advisor Doug Peters, but he adds that others have expressed interest in following suit. In 2007, Canada introduced 41 Harmonized Serial (HS) codes to specifically track organic produce and milk imports. Previously, HS codes only identified product types (eg. Roma tomatoes, Cherry tomatoes) but now it is possible to distinguish between conventionally and organically produced goods.
Canada imports more than 80% of the organic produce it consumes. HS codes help industry to determine market potential by providing data for both price and volume of organic imports and make possible a more responsive approach to international tariff issues involving organics. Peters points out that countries can use HS codes to track their organic exports to Canada, which otherwise might not be monitored.
20 more organic codes were introduced in July 2008, including high volume products like packaged salad greens, berries, teas, olive oil and some prepared tomato sauces and baby foods. This brings the current total to 61 products monitored with an additional 20 codes to be announced in January 2009.
For more, see the Canada Border Services Agency website.
Labels, Tests and Education
Posted - November 1, 2008
Dangers of Playing Hide and Seek with Product Labels
O.W.N. News Network – as printed in O.W.N. Fall 2008
In her new book Holler for Your Health: Be the Key to a Healthy Family, author Theresa Holler addresses three problems that haunt the food and household product market: poor labelling, lack of proper testing and lack of education. Frequently, labels omit toxins, and the consumer receives scant information about them. Other products containing toxins can go onto the shelf without proper testing, turning consumers into guinea pigs.
This well referenced text grounded in science, offers tips on simple ways consumers may protect their family’s health from deadly commonplace toxins.
Holler warns against products with hidden chemicals, which can harm children and adults, and lead to sickness, fatigue and obesity. But because of lax labelling regulations and trade secrets, the uninformed consumer cannot choose between good products and toxic ones.
Holler has a Bachelors degree in Biology, holds a Masters Degree in Primary Care Medicine and has completed Doctoral coursework in Medical Writing and Environmental Health. She is director of education for Project Wellness in Roanoke, VA and a public speaker. Holler for Your Health is available online at Amazon and from her website www.holler4health.com.
A portion of proceeds are donated to children who are dying alone in US hospitals.
