Protect Organic Standards-Send Comments to USDA and Congress

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The USDA has allowed 7 days for a comment period - very short time which

ends on May 22. Here is some information about the proposed changes - source

Natural Solutions Foundation):

 

* Conventional hops (sprayed with pesticides, treated with herbicides

and even, perhaps, genetically modified will be allowed in " organic " beer.

Anheuser-Busch is reported to be lobbying hard for this one, by the way.

* Conventionally raised animals (treated with antibiotics, growth

hormones, fed genetically modified feed, concrete, newspapers, chicken parts

and

bones, slaughter house waste, etc., and subject to mad cow disease (as

organic herds are not) will provide their intestines for " organic " sausage

casings.

 

* Fish oil (a wonderful dietary supplement) which has never been

characterized or standardized would be permitted, allowing sub-standard oils

from

farm raised, chemical laced, cancer-ridden fish or poorly processed, mercury

rich oils from ocean-dwelling fish would be added without further purity

requirements. All fish oils are definitely not created equal. The proposed

standards makes them that way, however.

* Food colorings which may have synthetic, genetically modified,

chemical or allergenic components will be permitted.

* In their form letter to the Dept of Agriculture, Natural Solutions

proposes that USDA only allow Companies to use Artifical Colorings if their

are no other " natural presevatives or solvents. " I find this unacceptable and

full of loopholes not addressing the danger of ANY and ALL Colorings Period.

Nothing that contains an artuificial coloring or flavoring should be

advertised as organic. Please change their text on the form letter. Arnold

* Ingredients like organic Lemon grass, Rice Starch, Beet Juice & Whey

Protein Concentrate are available in sufficient quantities to allow

stipulation that only organic grades be permitted. The new regulations allow

non-organic ingredients to be used without label notification despite the

availability of these organic ingredients.

 

Under the USDA proposal, thirty eight new " ingredients " will be added to the

National List. Only products which have been added to that list may be added

to organic products and do not have to be noted on the label.

 

You can send a comment via this link and change it to your own wording if

you wish to.

 

_http://www.democracyinaction.org/dia/organizationsORG/healthfreedomusa/campai

gn.jsp?campaign_KEY=11431_

(http://www.democracyinaction.org/dia/organizationsORG/healthfreedomusa/campaign\

..jsp?campaign_KEY=11431)

 

 

 

Your members of congress can be reached at

_www.house.gov_ (http://www.house.gov)

_www.senate.gov_ (http://www.senate.gov)

 

 

 

 

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