Care2 member? Log in
|
 |
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!
# 28,500:
9:52 am PDT, Oct 27,
Robert Shaw, North Dakota
No question! If it says organic it had better be organic. How a change in labeling to include a substance not organic can even be considered by congress disturbes me.I go out of my way to find organic produce and meat for me and my family and so do a number of my patients. Don't mess with our food supply!
No question! If it says organic it had better be organic. How a change in labeling to include a substance not organic can even be considered by congress disturbes me.I go out of my way to find organic produce and meat for me and my family and so do a number of my patients. Don't mess with our food supply!
# 28,499:
9:50 am PDT, Oct 27,
Name not displayed, California
i need real organic foods. i am on a restricted diet that includes only healthy organic foods.
i need real organic foods. i am on a restricted diet that includes only healthy organic foods.
# 28,498:
9:49 am PDT, Oct 27,
Darla Johnson, Ohio
# 28,497:
9:48 am PDT, Oct 27,
Brittany Bowling, Illinois
# 28,496:
9:42 am PDT, Oct 27,
Name not displayed, Illinois
i have too many allergies and food allergies for this to be allowed!!!!!
i have too many allergies and food allergies for this to be allowed!!!!!
# 28,495:
9:42 am PDT, Oct 27,
Name not displayed, Oregon
How can these corporation say that consumers don't care about artificial ingredients? If it says Organic, then I automatically CAN be assured there is nothing artifical, no preservatives or genetically engineered anything in it. Now if this law gets passed thanks to congressman taking paybacks from corporations/industry, then this will be another strike against the people. I just won't buy any of their products and I will tell everyone I know not to, it'll be a boycott, just like I don't buy any products from Mexico, or south america because they use insecticide that we in the Unites States don't use, but we sell it to them, so it comes right back into the U.S., and our little ones eat the fruits and vegetables, don't we have enough health problems? Please don't let them get away with it.
How can these corporation say that consumers don't care about artificial ingredients? If it says Organic, then I automatically CAN be assured there is nothing artifical, no preservatives or genetically engineered anything in it. Now if this law gets passed thanks to congressman taking paybacks from corporations/industry, then this will be another strike against the people. I just won't buy any of their products and I will tell everyone I know not to, it'll be a boycott, just like I don't buy any products from Mexico, or south america because they use insecticide that we in the Unites States don't use, but we sell it to them, so it comes right back into the U.S., and our little ones eat the fruits and vegetables, don't we have enough health problems? Please don't let them get away with it.
# 28,494:
9:40 am PDT, Oct 27,
Angie Toriggino, Texas
I buy "organic" foods because of what the word "organic" means: That all ingredients are natural and there has been no pesticides used in the making of the food item. These lableing laws need to be strengthened for the saftey and health of concerned citizens not diminished!!!
I buy "organic" foods because of what the word "organic" means: That all ingredients are natural and there has been no pesticides used in the making of the food item. These lableing laws need to be strengthened for the saftey and health of concerned citizens not diminished!!!
# 28,493:
9:38 am PDT, Oct 27,
Lee Ledbetter, New York
Organic should mean Organic period.
Organic should mean Organic period.
# 28,492:
9:36 am PDT, Oct 27,
Donna Kavanagh, Indiana
We do not need more confusion regarding TRUTH in advertising especially when it come to matters of our health. I know you are trying to do the right thing Consider the long term ramifications and remember your grandchildren will be buying products too and they deserve to know the truth about their food products and ingredients. Too many people are obese or are dying of a result of what we are eating. Americans deserve to be served by the industry better than this. Thank you
We do not need more confusion regarding TRUTH in advertising especially when it come to matters of our health. I know you are trying to do the right thing Consider the long term ramifications and remember your grandchildren will be buying products too and they deserve to know the truth about their food products and ingredients. Too many people are obese or are dying of a result of what we are eating. Americans deserve to be served by the industry better than this. Thank you
# 28,491:
9:35 am PDT, Oct 27,
Elizabeth Gulick, California
# 28,490:
9:35 am PDT, Oct 27,
Name not displayed, Indiana
# 28,489:
9:34 am PDT, Oct 27,
Candice Davis, Oklahoma
# 28,488:
9:34 am PDT, Oct 27,
Patricia Stokes, Alabama
I agree that consumers do care. If I purchase something that is organic, that suggest, and I expect a certain quality and purity.
I agree that consumers do care. If I purchase something that is organic, that suggest, and I expect a certain quality and purity.
# 28,487:
9:33 am PDT, Oct 27,
Kimber Briggs, Texas
I can't believe we're even having to sign a petition like this! Can you say "organic" - why on earth would anyone think it was okay to label something organic that had artificial ingredients in it??!! We've had enough of the pesticides - that's why we want PURE food!!!
I can't believe we're even having to sign a petition like this! Can you say "organic" - why on earth would anyone think it was okay to label something organic that had artificial ingredients in it??!! We've had enough of the pesticides - that's why we want PURE food!!!
# 28,486:
9:22 am PDT, Oct 27,
Eustacia Hulstine, New Mexico
# 28,485:
9:18 am PDT, Oct 27,
Gwendolyn Brooks, Illinois
# 28,484:
9:16 am PDT, Oct 27,
Mitch Pender, California
# 28,483:
9:16 am PDT, Oct 27,
Lisa Moore, Pennsylvania
The law should be strengthened, it is hard enough to tell what you are eating now. We will not able to believe the packaging.
The law should be strengthened, it is hard enough to tell what you are eating now. We will not able to believe the packaging.
# 28,482:
9:12 am PDT, Oct 27,
Jasmine Mena, Rhode Island
When I buy organic I do not expect nor want artificial ingredients in my food. Please strengthen not weaken the organic food labeling laws
When I buy organic I do not expect nor want artificial ingredients in my food. Please strengthen not weaken the organic food labeling laws
# 28,481:
9:11 am PDT, Oct 27,
Pamela Lau, California
# 28,480:
9:05 am PDT, Oct 27,
Kathy Kinter, Vermont
# 28,479:
9:03 am PDT, Oct 27,
Name not displayed, California
# 28,478:
9:02 am PDT, Oct 27,
George Somerville, Virginia
This is a matter of honesty and fair competition, and it is a matter of consumer protection and consumer choice. I - and every other consumer - should have the opportunity to decide whether to pay more for a genuinely organic food or not. If a food is labeled "organic," it should have NO artificial or synthetic ingredients - or what is the point of the label? And an honest producer who chooses not to use artificial or synthetic ingredients in his organic foods should not be placed at a competitive disadvantage against a less honest producer who chooses to use the label despite including artificial or synthetic ingredients in his products.
This is a matter of honesty and fair competition, and it is a matter of consumer protection and consumer choice. I - and every other consumer - should have the opportunity to decide whether to pay more for a genuinely organic food or not. If a food is labeled "organic," it should have NO artificial or synthetic ingredients - or what is the point of the label? And an honest producer who chooses not to use artificial or synthetic ingredients in his organic foods should not be placed at a competitive disadvantage against a less honest producer who chooses to use the label despite including artificial or synthetic ingredients in his products.
# 28,477:
9:01 am PDT, Oct 27,
Robyn Pirie, Washington
What does the word organic mean to you? Look it up in the dictionary. I don't think the word "artificial" is in the context.
What does the word organic mean to you? Look it up in the dictionary. I don't think the word "artificial" is in the context.
# 28,476:
8:56 am PDT, Oct 27,
Bhimi Cayce, California
In order to have the quality of truly organic food, the labeling laws need to be strict and specific so we as consumers know what we are buying and trust we are getting what we pay for.
In order to have the quality of truly organic food, the labeling laws need to be strict and specific so we as consumers know what we are buying and trust we are getting what we pay for.
# 28,475:
8:52 am PDT, Oct 27,
Leeana Baird, Texas
# 28,474:
8:49 am PDT, Oct 27,
Peggy Paschall, Tennessee
# 28,473:
8:44 am PDT, Oct 27,
Heidi Mayer, Connecticut
# 28,472:
8:43 am PDT, Oct 27,
Heather Wilson, Georgia
# 28,471:
8:41 am PDT, Oct 27,
Name not displayed, California
Allowing products that are not organic to be added to products that are is counterproductive and deceitful to the american public that wants to do better for their families.
Allowing products that are not organic to be added to products that are is counterproductive and deceitful to the american public that wants to do better for their families.
# 28,470:
8:40 am PDT, Oct 27,
Tamara Alfson, Washington D.C.
Labeling a food item 100% organic when it is not is just plain lying. You wouldn't say 100% of $2,000 is $1,500 (if so, I have been paying way too much on my taxes!). Don't bend to the pressures. Use your moral compass and just plain commom sense. 100% of something needs to means 100%.
Labeling a food item 100% organic when it is not is just plain lying. You wouldn't say 100% of $2,000 is $1,500 (if so, I have been paying way too much on my taxes!). Don't bend to the pressures. Use your moral compass and just plain commom sense. 100% of something needs to means 100%.
# 28,469:
8:40 am PDT, Oct 27,
Ian Wilson, Missouri
# 28,468:
8:39 am PDT, Oct 27,
Pam M, Connecticut
# 28,467:
8:39 am PDT, Oct 27,
Kristina Giaquinto, New York
# 28,466:
8:39 am PDT, Oct 27,
Suzy Caldwell, Texas
# 28,465:
8:39 am PDT, Oct 27,
Kate Goodwillie, Illinois
With obesity inflicting so many people in this day and age, it is shocking to hear that congress might make it harder for people to eat right. health is the most important thing we have, and to jeapordize that ia ridiculous.
With obesity inflicting so many people in this day and age, it is shocking to hear that congress might make it harder for people to eat right. health is the most important thing we have, and to jeapordize that ia ridiculous.
# 28,464:
8:27 am PDT, Oct 27,
Name not displayed, Ohio
please continue the high standards for organic foods!
please continue the high standards for organic foods!
# 28,463:
8:21 am PDT, Oct 27,
Janet Eblen, Hawaii
There is no reason to change organic labeling laws to include foods with artificial ingredients! Companies who want to be able to market organic food should simply MAKE ORGANIC FOOD!!! The purpose of the distinction of organic is to make it possible for consumers to have the choice to be able to purchase foods without non-organic ingredients! It seems painfully simple to me. If the standards are weakened, what is the point of the organic lable at all? A marketing gimic for companies that are unwilling to change their practices? I hope not.
There is no reason to change organic labeling laws to include foods with artificial ingredients! Companies who want to be able to market organic food should simply MAKE ORGANIC FOOD!!! The purpose of the distinction of organic is to make it possible for consumers to have the choice to be able to purchase foods without non-organic ingredients! It seems painfully simple to me. If the standards are weakened, what is the point of the organic lable at all? A marketing gimic for companies that are unwilling to change their practices? I hope not.
# 28,462:
8:18 am PDT, Oct 27,
Terri Samuel, New Jersey
Why is it always about the profits & the Money? Keep consumers aware and artificial out of organic products and organic labeling. Do the right thing for a change.
Why is it always about the profits & the Money? Keep consumers aware and artificial out of organic products and organic labeling. Do the right thing for a change.
# 28,461:
8:17 am PDT, Oct 27,
Patty Scott, Georgia
# 28,460:
8:16 am PDT, Oct 27,
Ray Payne, Tennessee
The despicable effort of the giant food industries to include artificial ingredients in organic foods and falsely label these foods as "organic" food should not be allowed under any circumtances. Their efforts to buy the Congress for this purpose is dishonest, immoral, and extremely unethical. I urge you to not allows this. The only concern of the food industry is making the maximum profit in the shortest time and all else be damned. Ray Payne
The despicable effort of the giant food industries to include artificial ingredients in organic foods and falsely label these foods as "organic" food should not be allowed under any circumtances. Their efforts to buy the Congress for this purpose is dishonest, immoral, and extremely unethical. I urge you to not allows this. The only concern of the food industry is making the maximum profit in the shortest time and all else be damned. Ray Payne
# 28,459:
8:14 am PDT, Oct 27,
Teresa Gardner, Kansas
people with allergic reactions to artificial ingredients would be placed at risk, and those who have chosen to try to live a healthier existence would be taken hostage by big companies whose only credo is MORE PROFITS, that they can't take with them to the grave... so what's the problem. i'd like to think we as a nation are NOT JUST ABOUT THE MONEY. (that's my fantasy)
people with allergic reactions to artificial ingredients would be placed at risk, and those who have chosen to try to live a healthier existence would be taken hostage by big companies whose only credo is MORE PROFITS, that they can't take with them to the grave... so what's the problem. i'd like to think we as a nation are NOT JUST ABOUT THE MONEY. (that's my fantasy)
# 28,458:
8:12 am PDT, Oct 27,
Nicholas Rivituso, Maryland
I'm a yoga teacher and Pagan. Part of my teaching to my students especially within yoga is the importance of taking care of your body, which includes eating healthy. I as well as many of my students are vegetarians and do not even eat out except at certified organic restaruants because we choose to keep our bodies safe and healthy. Our bodies are temples and I treat mine as such and am quite upset that Congress is even considering going through with this. If this goes through I will make sure I stay clear of the politicians who supported this and from now on I will be sure to avoid buying food from companies such as Kraft that even suggested this hypocritical idea.
I'm a yoga teacher and Pagan. Part of my teaching to my students especially within yoga is the importance of taking care of your body, which includes eating healthy. I as well as many of my students are vegetarians and do not even eat out except at certified organic restaruants because we choose to keep our bodies safe and healthy. Our bodies are temples and I treat mine as such and am quite upset that Congress is even considering going through with this. If this goes through I will make sure I stay clear of the politicians who supported this and from now on I will be sure to avoid buying food from companies such as Kraft that even suggested this hypocritical idea.
# 28,457:
8:11 am PDT, Oct 27,
Elisabeth Hebert, Vermont
# 28,456:
8:08 am PDT, Oct 27,
Terry Humes, Washington
Organic means JUST that don't try to mislead the public ... do the job the people expect and demand
Organic means JUST that don't try to mislead the public ... do the job the people expect and demand
# 28,455:
8:07 am PDT, Oct 27,
Sylvia Arnstein
, Illinois
# 28,454:
8:05 am PDT, Oct 27,
Susan Ferguson, Arkansas
I don't want stuff included in my food that is labeled "organic". When I buy organic, I expect it to be just that -- naturally grown ingredients and NO additives.
I don't want stuff included in my food that is labeled "organic". When I buy organic, I expect it to be just that -- naturally grown ingredients and NO additives.
# 28,453:
8:01 am PDT, Oct 27,
Name not displayed, Tennessee
Our food should be real and true. Not just represented as "organic". Don't try to fool us.
Our food should be real and true. Not just represented as "organic". Don't try to fool us.
# 28,452:
8:01 am PDT, Oct 27,
Name not displayed, Georgia
# 28,451:
8:00 am PDT, Oct 27,
Rhonda Patterson, Kentucky