• View ecochildsplay’s profile on Facebook
  • View ecochildsplay’s profile on Twitter
  • View ecochildsplay’s profile on Instagram
  • View ecochildsplay’s profile on Pinterest
  • View Jennifer Lance’s profile on LinkedIn
  • View ecochildsplay’s profile on YouTube
  • View ecochildsplay’s profile on Google+

Eco Child's Play

Live a greener, healthier life!

  • Environment
  • Pregnancy
  • Food & Recipes
  • Health News
  • Parenting
  • Green Toys
  • Beauty & Beauty Products
  • Green Home & Cleaning
  • Contact

Take Action: Keep Synthetic Nutrients out of Organic Food

Save organic standardsWe first alerted you about synthetic nutrients in organic infant formula last year.  Unfortunately, the problem has not gone away and may spread to other organic foods.

Organic means organic. Organic standards should not include any synthetic nutrients.  It contradicts organic.  So far, the National Organic Standards Board (NOSB) has agreed, but large food corporations are pushing the USDA to change that.

The Cornucopia Institute explains:

In the past six months, organic stakeholders won a string of victories at the National Organic Standards Board (NOSB) meetings, which upheld organic integrity and rejected corporate petitions for eight synthetic nutrients.

Rather than respect the organic law and accept the NOSB recommendation and the will of the organic community, corporate food manufacturers like Nestle have refused to remove the synthetic nutrients from organic foods, and have turned instead to the USDA for help.

Sadly, the USDA seems all too eager to help them out.  Despite a 2011 public apology by USDA Deputy Secretary Kathleen Merrigan for the previous administration’s creation of a loophole in the organic standards, which led to the indiscriminate and illegal addition of synthetic nutrients to organic foods, the USDA is now unwilling to back this apology with concrete action, and is once again catering to corporate interests.

The USDA initially proposed closing the loophole in January 2012, and both the organic community and corporate food manufacturers supported their proposed rule.  But that was before the NOSB voted on the petitions for synthetic nutrients.  Food manufacturers, such as Nestle, likely supported the initial proposed rule because they expected that the NOSB would approve the synthetic nutrients that they are currently putting in organic food (in the past, the NOSB has all too often sided with corporate lobbyists in a desire to “grow” the organic market).

When the NOSB rejected Nestle’s and other corporate petitions, the USDA tabled its initial proposed rule and came out with a weakened rule that keeps the loophole and the illegal policy on nutrients in place.

The organic community must make clear that synthetic nutrients should be individually reviewed by the National Organic Standards Board, and if approved, should be individually listed on the National List of allowed materials.  All loopholes and incorrect interpretations of the organic standards must end now.

The NOSB, after considering extensive public comment, has made clear that synthetic nutrients have no place in organic foods.  The USDA must take immediate enforcement against any and all synthetic nutrients that are not on the National List of allowed materials and that have been rejected by the National Organic Standards Board.

Even though three synthetic nutrients were approved by the NOSB for use in infant formula, five of them were rejected.

The USDA is seeking public comments on this issue right now.  You have until December 26, 2012 to do so.   If you expect the nutrients in your organic food to occur naturally, please make your voice heard!

Image:  Fresh and ripe orange fruits with leaves in a wooden crate isolated on white background on Bigstock

 

  • Twitter
  • Email
  • Pinterest
  • Print
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn
  • More
  • WhatsApp
  • Tumblr
  • Reddit
  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter

Subscribe!

« Why Midwifery Care is So Important [video]
Green Gift Ideas: Ito En Tea Stones »

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Search Content

  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter


About Eco Child’s Play

Our ethos is to provide news, information, and opinions on natural, green parenting to help your family live a greener, healthier life! Additionally, we offer personal consulting services to help you achieve your green living goals.

Jennifer is a vegetarian, yoga teacher, gardener, hiker, teacher, and mother that has been living off-the-grid for over 20 years.

Contact Eco Child’s Play

Plants Over Plastics! Repurpose Compostable Home Products

Convenient Plastic Container Free Dropps Laundry & Dishwashing Pods

More from the archives!

My Country 'Tis of Thee

USC Study: MET gene variant and air pollution increases risk of autism

Switch to natural deodorant now!

What is Green? 5 Ideas for Green New Year's Resolutions

The Cushie Pushie: Supporting Breastfeeding Moms

cbd salve joy organics

CBD Products that Actually Deliver: Joy Organics

wama hemp underwear

The Most Comfortable Underwear is Made of Hemp: WAMA Review

Information

  • About & Contact
  • Archive
  • Blog
  • Consulting Services
  • Disclaimer, Disclosure, & Sponsored Posts
  • Privacy Policy

Parental Convenience And Its Ecological Effects

Natural Pregnancy: 3 Nurturing Tips for New Dads

5 reasons you MUST clean green

Tips for Helping Your Children Give Away Old Clothes and Toys

We Have A Winner! Kiss My Face Giveaway

Popular Categories

  • Breastfeeding
  • Health News
  • Natural Childbirth
  • Parenting
  • Education
  • Product Review
  • Green Toys

Get our posts via email

Please stay in touch!

You might also like to read…

Avocado Cucumber Hand Rolls

Raw Food Recipes: Avocado Cucumber Hand Rolls

Organic, fair trade vanilla!

Neilson-Massey: Organic, Fair Trade Madagascar Pure Vanilla and Chocolate Extract!

Children’s Literature: My Bag and Me!

Make Bathtime Fun and Promote Independence with Under the Nile Organic Frog Wash Cloth

Mom, the World is Getting Greener

Copyright © 2023 · Divine theme by Restored 316

Copyright © 2023 · Divine Theme On Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in

loading Cancel
Post was not sent - check your email addresses!
Email check failed, please try again
Sorry, your blog cannot share posts by email.