138,078,728 petition signatures
Oppose the Weakening of Organic Labeling Laws
- signatures:
- deadline: September 27, 2006
- signature goal: 30,000
- Target: U.S. Senate & House Appropriations, Agriculture Subcommittees
- Sponsored 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!
Dear [senate/house appropriations conferees],
I am writing to urge you to support the organic labeling compromise language adopted in the Senate Appropriations bill, which passed the Senate last week and is now in conference. This amendment calls for a study on the impact of a court decision that ruled that food with the “organic” label may not be made with synthetic ingredients. Please support this language and oppose any attempt to weaken it.
I do not believe that food labeled "organic" should contain artificial or synthetic ingredients. I pay more for these organic food products because organic is the most authentic type of natural-based food that is on the market. Allowing synthetic (non-natural) ingredients runs counter to the fundamental principles of organic production, and violates the spirit and intent of the law.
This differentiation among the three types of organic food labels is meaningful and allows consumers, producers and retailers to have value choices within organic. The law already allows for synthetics to be used in products labeled as "made with organic." Changes to the law that would broaden the use of synthetics to food labeled "organic" would erode the meaning of the "organic" label and consumer confidence. The USDA should promulgate regulations that bring the National Organic Program in line with the law.
Sincerely,
[Your Name]
UPDATE: On October 26th, the Agricultural Appropriations Conference Committee voted to weaken the organic label. The decision to allow chemically derived ingredients — some without careful, independent review — was made even after members of Congress heard from more than 325,000 of their constituents and more than 200 organic companies opposing this very action.
In response, Consumers Union plans to mount a widespread public education campaign to help consumers look for additional, meaningful labels on organic food products, such as ‘no-synthetics used’ or ‘100% grass fed’, so that American consumers can make informed decisions about the products they purchase.
This petition is now closed.
Thank you for your interest. Please click here for more petitions.
In response, Consumers Union plans to mount a widespread public education campaign to help consumers look for additional, meaningful labels on organic food products, such as ‘no-synthetics used’ or ‘100% grass fed’, so that American consumers can make informed decisions about the products they purchase.
Thank you for your interest. Please click here for more petitions.
UPDATE: On October 26th, the Agricultural Appropriations Conference Committee voted to weaken the organic label. The decision to allow chemically derived ingredients — some without careful, independent review — was made even after members of Congress heard from more than 325,000 of their constituents and more than 200 organic companies opposing this very action.
In response, Consumers Union plans to mount a widespread public education campaign to help consumers look for additional, meaningful labels on organic food products, such as ‘no-synthetics used’ or ‘100% grass fed’, so that American consumers can make informed decisions about the products they purchase.
This petition is now closed.
Thank you for your interest. Please click here for more petitions.
In response, Consumers Union plans to mount a widespread public education campaign to help consumers look for additional, meaningful labels on organic food products, such as ‘no-synthetics used’ or ‘100% grass fed’, so that American consumers can make informed decisions about the products they purchase.
Thank you for your interest. Please click here for more petitions.
UPDATE: On October 26th, the Agricultural Appropriations Conference Committee voted to weaken the organic label. The decision to allow chemically derived ingredients — some without careful, independent review — was made even after members of Congress heard from more than 325,000 of their constituents and more than 200 organic companies opposing this very action.
In response, Consumers Union plans to mount a widespread public education campaign to help consumers look for additional, meaningful labels on organic food products, such as ‘no-synthetics used’ or ‘100% grass fed’, so that American consumers can make informed decisions about the products they purchase.
This petition is now closed.
Thank you for your interest. Please click here for more petitions.
In response, Consumers Union plans to mount a widespread public education campaign to help consumers look for additional, meaningful labels on organic food products, such as ‘no-synthetics used’ or ‘100% grass fed’, so that American consumers can make informed decisions about the products they purchase.
Thank you for your interest. Please click here for more petitions.
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