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Oppose the Weakening of Organic Labeling Laws
Target: U.S. Senate & House Appropriations, Agriculture SubcommitteesSponsored by: Consumers Union
A recent court decision ruled that only natural ingredients should be allowed in foods labeled as "organic." This ruling reinforces our current organic labeling law by keeping chemically-derived synthetic substances from being used in foods labeled as “organic.”
But industry groups are lobbying Congress to change the law so that artificial ingredients can be included in foods labeled “organic”! Specifically, food producers such as the Organic Trade Association, Kraft Foods and others seek to amend the Organic Foods Production Act (passed in 1990) so that synthetic substances can be used in food products labeled as "organic." They claim that consumers do not care about their use in "organic" food and are trying to slip this change into the law without any public input.
U.S. consumers clearly do care! The nonpartisan watchdog group Consumers Union recently conducted a nationwide survey of 1,200 adults and found that 85% of respondents said they do not expect food labeled as "organic" to contain artificial ingredients.
Send a letter telling Congress that you don’t want to buy “organic” food made with artificial ingredients!
But industry groups are lobbying Congress to change the law so that artificial ingredients can be included in foods labeled “organic”! Specifically, food producers such as the Organic Trade Association, Kraft Foods and others seek to amend the Organic Foods Production Act (passed in 1990) so that synthetic substances can be used in food products labeled as "organic." They claim that consumers do not care about their use in "organic" food and are trying to slip this change into the law without any public input.
U.S. consumers clearly do care! The nonpartisan watchdog group Consumers Union recently conducted a nationwide survey of 1,200 adults and found that 85% of respondents said they do not expect food labeled as "organic" to contain artificial ingredients.
Send a letter telling Congress that you don’t want to buy “organic” food made with artificial ingredients!
Sign Petition! see who signed this
We signed the “Oppose the Weakening of Organic Labeling Laws” petition!
# 28,350:
2:48 am PDT, Oct 27,
Name not displayed, Missouri
Please keep that artifical garbage out of our Food!! We have the right to eat organic food without those nasty, horrible artificial additives!
Please keep that artifical garbage out of our Food!! We have the right to eat organic food without those nasty, horrible artificial additives!
# 28,349:
2:37 am PDT, Oct 27,
Name not displayed, Alaska
Organic is NOT spelled ..."artifical/synthetic"... Folks who shop ...Organic...don't count on "Big Business" to care about their health....they know better.......Require that ORGANIC labeling, means just that.....a product cannot be considered ORGANIC if it has man made synthetic material in it... Please don't allow any more "spins" on the TRUTH .....The law is the ONLY protection folks have.........don't take it away from them.
Organic is NOT spelled ..."artifical/synthetic"... Folks who shop ...Organic...don't count on "Big Business" to care about their health....they know better.......Require that ORGANIC labeling, means just that.....a product cannot be considered ORGANIC if it has man made synthetic material in it... Please don't allow any more "spins" on the TRUTH .....The law is the ONLY protection folks have.........don't take it away from them.
# 28,348:
2:08 am PDT, Oct 27,
Mickey Marshall, Montana
# 28,347:
1:46 am PDT, Oct 27,
Larry Beck, Texas
Is there any area of the economy that corporate lobbyists haven't tried to weaken legislation that benefits them while hurting the public. My trust of big business is at an all time low and now they want to invade one of the few market areas I still put some faith in for having some integrity in product advertising? DO NOT allow them to affect your decision to keep organic foods 100% OTGANIC. I do NOT want synthetic addidtives as a part of what I consider 100% organic in the food I eat.
Is there any area of the economy that corporate lobbyists haven't tried to weaken legislation that benefits them while hurting the public. My trust of big business is at an all time low and now they want to invade one of the few market areas I still put some faith in for having some integrity in product advertising? DO NOT allow them to affect your decision to keep organic foods 100% OTGANIC. I do NOT want synthetic addidtives as a part of what I consider 100% organic in the food I eat.
# 28,346:
1:41 am PDT, Oct 27,
Dawn Kelley, Ohio
# 28,345:
1:33 am PDT, Oct 27,
Lisa Reed, Maine
We buy and consume organic foods/products for a reason...because they are all NATURAL. Allowing foods with synthetic additives to be labeled "organic" is nothing more than deceitful and it's just plain wrong! Protect the foods people who choose to live healthy eat! It's sad and disgusting that our choice to eat and be healthy is being overshadowed by big business profit. Please make a decision to keep organics organic!
We buy and consume organic foods/products for a reason...because they are all NATURAL. Allowing foods with synthetic additives to be labeled "organic" is nothing more than deceitful and it's just plain wrong! Protect the foods people who choose to live healthy eat! It's sad and disgusting that our choice to eat and be healthy is being overshadowed by big business profit. Please make a decision to keep organics organic!
# 28,344:
1:22 am PDT, Oct 27,
Carolyn Rahn, Massachusetts
# 28,343:
1:21 am PDT, Oct 27,
Kim Donovan, Connecticut
This proposal is not meant to weaken organic labeling laws, it is meant to destroy them! "Organic" means "Produced by nature; not artificial or manmade: natural, unadulterated". Adding artificial ingredients will render the product no longer organic. We who have health issues that require organic products to support our survival, or who choose organics as a healthier alternative, will be denied the right to make these choices and fulfill these needs. Don't change the organic food labeling laws unless you can make them better!
This proposal is not meant to weaken organic labeling laws, it is meant to destroy them! "Organic" means "Produced by nature; not artificial or manmade: natural, unadulterated". Adding artificial ingredients will render the product no longer organic. We who have health issues that require organic products to support our survival, or who choose organics as a healthier alternative, will be denied the right to make these choices and fulfill these needs. Don't change the organic food labeling laws unless you can make them better!
# 28,342:
1:20 am PDT, Oct 27,
Lori DelBello, Arizona
# 28,341:
1:02 am PDT, Oct 27,
Dave Pavolka, Indiana
# 28,340:
12:52 am PDT, Oct 27,
Name not displayed, Hawaii
Selling synthetic products as organic could kill someone. If you care do not weaken labeling of organic products.
Selling synthetic products as organic could kill someone. If you care do not weaken labeling of organic products.
# 28,339:
12:39 am PDT, Oct 27,
Julie Kelton, Ohio
artificial is not organic. please don't buy into consumer fraud.
artificial is not organic. please don't buy into consumer fraud.
# 28,338:
12:38 am PDT, Oct 27,
Joshua Scott, California
We're talking about food here. Real food that mom used to make from veggies growing in the yard (or on the farm). Don't allow these food conglomerates to cash in on the wishes of people that want to eat healthily. These companies are 1.not farming sustainably 2.not promoting small LOCAL farmers and 3. not maintaining the diversity of plant species. Keep buyers happy and keep organic organic.
We're talking about food here. Real food that mom used to make from veggies growing in the yard (or on the farm). Don't allow these food conglomerates to cash in on the wishes of people that want to eat healthily. These companies are 1.not farming sustainably 2.not promoting small LOCAL farmers and 3. not maintaining the diversity of plant species. Keep buyers happy and keep organic organic.
# 28,337:
12:27 am PDT, Oct 27,
Richard Marchetta, California
# 28,336:
12:11 am PDT, Oct 27,
Sandra Amberg, Iowa
Please do not weaken the labeling for organic food products. This would be a disservice to all the people who count on the fact that they are getting healthy food to eat. We have friends that are organic dairy farmers and know how much work they put into insuring that the milk they produce is free from contaminates. Sandra Amberg
Please do not weaken the labeling for organic food products. This would be a disservice to all the people who count on the fact that they are getting healthy food to eat. We have friends that are organic dairy farmers and know how much work they put into insuring that the milk they produce is free from contaminates. Sandra Amberg
# 28,335:
12:08 am PDT, Oct 27,
Mandy Klehr, Colorado
# 28,334:
12:01 am PDT, Oct 27,
Name not displayed, Hawaii
Synthetic is not organic. Organic-like is not organic. Gucci-like is not Gucci. Even synthetic-like is not synthetic. There are alot of "like", synthetic products out there, leave organic in its pure simple form alone. Synthetic or like products are all about the money. I will not knowingly buy any products with synthetic or like products in organic products. So don't waste your time contaminating organic products.
Synthetic is not organic. Organic-like is not organic. Gucci-like is not Gucci. Even synthetic-like is not synthetic. There are alot of "like", synthetic products out there, leave organic in its pure simple form alone. Synthetic or like products are all about the money. I will not knowingly buy any products with synthetic or like products in organic products. So don't waste your time contaminating organic products.
# 28,333:
11:47 pm PDT, Oct 26,
Name not displayed, California
Organic by definition should be just that. Anything less than "organic" in the strictess sense of the word is a compromise to this important standard and misleading to the public. There does exist a considerable group of educated consumers who look, and are willing to pay more, for items labeled "organic". You must do your part to see that the law is not watered down to include materials that are clearly not, by definition, organic.
Organic by definition should be just that. Anything less than "organic" in the strictess sense of the word is a compromise to this important standard and misleading to the public. There does exist a considerable group of educated consumers who look, and are willing to pay more, for items labeled "organic". You must do your part to see that the law is not watered down to include materials that are clearly not, by definition, organic.
# 28,332:
11:47 pm PDT, Oct 26,
Louis Orozco, Texas
It is more important than ever in history for this country to encourage healthier eating habits considering the obesity problems as well as the associated diseases. This is a matter of public health which affects us all on not just a personal level but a socioeconomic level. It is imperative that concerned consumers recieve the most honest information when making food choices. Allowing non organic foods to be sold as such is a blatant sign of neglect on public health and highlights corrupt government decisions based on corporate financial gain at the expense of the very same taxpayers and loyal citizens of this country. Keep trust alive; do not allow this unnecessary change in food labeling laws to pass.
It is more important than ever in history for this country to encourage healthier eating habits considering the obesity problems as well as the associated diseases. This is a matter of public health which affects us all on not just a personal level but a socioeconomic level. It is imperative that concerned consumers recieve the most honest information when making food choices. Allowing non organic foods to be sold as such is a blatant sign of neglect on public health and highlights corrupt government decisions based on corporate financial gain at the expense of the very same taxpayers and loyal citizens of this country. Keep trust alive; do not allow this unnecessary change in food labeling laws to pass.
# 28,331:
11:47 pm PDT, Oct 26,
Lisa Pack, California
I feed my infant organic food for his health thats like lying. labeling food 100% organic and it not being you will lose lots of trust from people by doing that. i love organic food it tastes better and i know its good for me dont lie to me
I feed my infant organic food for his health thats like lying. labeling food 100% organic and it not being you will lose lots of trust from people by doing that. i love organic food it tastes better and i know its good for me dont lie to me
# 28,330:
11:40 pm PDT, Oct 26,
Buzz Brusletten, Washington
I have always trusted that "organic" meant only natural ingredients. Please do not break the trust.
I have always trusted that "organic" meant only natural ingredients. Please do not break the trust.
# 28,329:
11:33 pm PDT, Oct 26,
Name not displayed, Illinois
Keep Organic food Organic.
Keep Organic food Organic.
# 28,328:
11:31 pm PDT, Oct 26,
C Branson-Braud, Washington
# 28,327:
11:28 pm PDT, Oct 26,
Linda Stevens, California
# 28,326:
11:26 pm PDT, Oct 26,
Richard Cartier, California
# 28,325:
11:23 pm PDT, Oct 26,
Maria L. Torres, California
consumers like myself buy organic products for a reason, we prefer these foods to the processed foods that aren't as natural as we prefer. It would be very misleading to many people to include artifical ingredients in organic foods. Organic food should REALLY be organic. Thank you
consumers like myself buy organic products for a reason, we prefer these foods to the processed foods that aren't as natural as we prefer. It would be very misleading to many people to include artifical ingredients in organic foods. Organic food should REALLY be organic. Thank you
# 28,324:
11:19 pm PDT, Oct 26,
Nicole Williams, Washington
Organic means natural..healthy! Some of us enjoy being healthy..LEAVE ORGANIC ALONE!!!
Organic means natural..healthy! Some of us enjoy being healthy..LEAVE ORGANIC ALONE!!!
# 28,323:
11:09 pm PDT, Oct 26,
Michele Hilliard, California
people (myself included) buy organic products for a reason, we prefer these foods to the processed foods that are being produced by corporations these days. please keep it that way its wrong and miss-leading to consumers to include artifical ingredients in organic foods. thank you
people (myself included) buy organic products for a reason, we prefer these foods to the processed foods that are being produced by corporations these days. please keep it that way its wrong and miss-leading to consumers to include artifical ingredients in organic foods. thank you
# 28,322:
11:04 pm PDT, Oct 26,
Name not displayed, Washington
# 28,321:
11:00 pm PDT, Oct 26,
A. DeClario, Ph.D., California
I want to eat wholesome organic food I don’t want to buy “organic” food made with artificial ingredients!We need to keep our organic food labeling laws strong... let's not give in to big food manufacturers and weaken these laws! Keep organic really organic!!!
I want to eat wholesome organic food I don’t want to buy “organic” food made with artificial ingredients!We need to keep our organic food labeling laws strong... let's not give in to big food manufacturers and weaken these laws! Keep organic really organic!!!
# 28,320:
10:58 pm PDT, Oct 26,
Bob Campbell, Tennessee
# 28,319:
10:57 pm PDT, Oct 26,
Merle Campbell COL,USA,RET, Oregon
Kraft Foods sounds like the enemy. When I buy food with the organic label on it I expect it to be healthy and not some chemical soup crap made in a frankenstien lab at Kraft Foods. I resent it.
Kraft Foods sounds like the enemy. When I buy food with the organic label on it I expect it to be healthy and not some chemical soup crap made in a frankenstien lab at Kraft Foods. I resent it.
# 28,318:
10:48 pm PDT, Oct 26,
Heidi Andrade, Idaho
# 28,317:
10:48 pm PDT, Oct 26,
Laura Leighton, Arizona
We want to be able to trust the term "organic" and not have mass food companies make use of it for pure profits!
We want to be able to trust the term "organic" and not have mass food companies make use of it for pure profits!
# 28,316:
10:34 pm PDT, Oct 26,
Gayle Haider, California
# 28,315:
10:31 pm PDT, Oct 26,
Name not displayed, California
# 28,314:
10:30 pm PDT, Oct 26,
Amy Johannesen, New York
Consumers buy organic products with the specific intent of avoiding artificial ingredients, pesticides and chemicals. To allow these contaminents to into food labeled organic would violate the common and commercially understood meaning of the term organic and amount to a goverment-sponsored fraud on the consuming public.
Consumers buy organic products with the specific intent of avoiding artificial ingredients, pesticides and chemicals. To allow these contaminents to into food labeled organic would violate the common and commercially understood meaning of the term organic and amount to a goverment-sponsored fraud on the consuming public.
# 28,313:
10:30 pm PDT, Oct 26,
Wendy Overin, California
Financially it is difficult for me to choose a whole, natural, and environmentally healthy food because of the higher cost. I make the sacrifice because I believe in the product with all the ramifications for my health and the environment. The use of the word "organic" has a meaning for people like me. Reading that word is a shortcut to help us in our search for healthy alternatives in the food market. Sneaking artifical ingredients into products labeled "organic" is nothing short of deceit and will break the trust between producers and consumers that has taken years to develop.
Financially it is difficult for me to choose a whole, natural, and environmentally healthy food because of the higher cost. I make the sacrifice because I believe in the product with all the ramifications for my health and the environment. The use of the word "organic" has a meaning for people like me. Reading that word is a shortcut to help us in our search for healthy alternatives in the food market. Sneaking artifical ingredients into products labeled "organic" is nothing short of deceit and will break the trust between producers and consumers that has taken years to develop.
# 28,312:
10:24 pm PDT, Oct 26,
Carol Zangla, New York
I read labels. I care about what is in the food I put on my table. When I pay the high price for organic food there had better not be any hidden synthetic crap in it!
I read labels. I care about what is in the food I put on my table. When I pay the high price for organic food there had better not be any hidden synthetic crap in it!
# 28,311:
10:23 pm PDT, Oct 26,
Maureen Grey, California
I make a point to buy a lot of organic food for myself and my daughter. I DO NOT WANT JUNK IN MY FOOD. If I want to eat junk, then I can buy Doritos or something. Do not try to add stuff to my organic food and tell me that it is still organic. Organic should mean something. If these companies want to profit from my dollar and the money of other consumers who are trying to feed our families healthy diets then they should actually try farming organically instead of just adding junk so they can pass off their fake food as the real organic thing.
I make a point to buy a lot of organic food for myself and my daughter. I DO NOT WANT JUNK IN MY FOOD. If I want to eat junk, then I can buy Doritos or something. Do not try to add stuff to my organic food and tell me that it is still organic. Organic should mean something. If these companies want to profit from my dollar and the money of other consumers who are trying to feed our families healthy diets then they should actually try farming organically instead of just adding junk so they can pass off their fake food as the real organic thing.
# 28,310:
10:21 pm PDT, Oct 26,
R.c. Ferris, California
# 28,309:
10:21 pm PDT, Oct 26,
Kristin Burke, Illinois
What is the point of having ORGANIC food if it has artificial ingredients in it? This makes no sense at all!!!
What is the point of having ORGANIC food if it has artificial ingredients in it? This makes no sense at all!!!
# 28,308:
10:18 pm PDT, Oct 26,
Bernadette Torres, California
Our communities' health should precede profits.
Our communities' health should precede profits.
# 28,307:
10:14 pm PDT, Oct 26,
Name not displayed, Nevada
Ridiculous! Artificial is NOT organic. To say that it is would be deceiving the consumer.
Ridiculous! Artificial is NOT organic. To say that it is would be deceiving the consumer.
# 28,306:
10:13 pm PDT, Oct 26,
Hector Cardenas, Texas
ORGANIC means nothing! artificial like the way the founding pilgrims started our nation... they didnt use hormones , artificial ingredients and mass production.....
ORGANIC means nothing! artificial like the way the founding pilgrims started our nation... they didnt use hormones , artificial ingredients and mass production.....
# 28,305:
10:11 pm PDT, Oct 26,
Tom Wright, California
# 28,304:
10:01 pm PDT, Oct 26,
Kristy Klein, New Mexico
O-R-G-A-N-I-C. Organic is organic. Synthetic chemicals are not organic. I am currently a poor college student, but I still buy organic products because it is important to not put these synthetic foods into my body. Who does Kraft think they are? They do not care about people living an organic lifestyle, they just want to get their undeserving cut of the profits!
O-R-G-A-N-I-C. Organic is organic. Synthetic chemicals are not organic. I am currently a poor college student, but I still buy organic products because it is important to not put these synthetic foods into my body. Who does Kraft think they are? They do not care about people living an organic lifestyle, they just want to get their undeserving cut of the profits!
# 28,303:
9:59 pm PDT, Oct 26,
Name not displayed, California
I have worked with organic foods for 10 years as a macrobiotic cook. Organic foods should be available free from genetic engineering, additives, preservatives and any other artificial ingredients. I do not support weakening the labeling laws that took so long to set in place.
I have worked with organic foods for 10 years as a macrobiotic cook. Organic foods should be available free from genetic engineering, additives, preservatives and any other artificial ingredients. I do not support weakening the labeling laws that took so long to set in place.
# 28,302:
9:53 pm PDT, Oct 26,
Rose Razavi, California
We want our organically grown food to be produced with no artificial ingredients or additives.
We want our organically grown food to be produced with no artificial ingredients or additives.
# 28,301:
9:51 pm PDT, Oct 26,
Cheryl E., California