Whole Foods Market Caves to Monsanto

by PRW Staff — January 28, 2011 - 4:09pm
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WholeFoodsMarketAfter 12 years of battling to stop Monsanto's genetically-engineered (GE) crops from contaminating the nation's organic farmland, the biggest retailers of "natural" and "organic" foods in the U.S., including Whole Foods Market (WFM), Organic Valley and Stonyfield Farm, have agreed to stop opposing mass commercialization of GE crops, like Monsanto's controversial Roundup Ready alfalfa. In exchange for dropping their opposition, WFM has asked for "compensation" to be paid to organic farmers for "any losses related to the contamination of his crop." Under current laws, Genetically-Modified Organisms (GMOs) are not subject to any pre-market safety testing or labeling. WFM is abandoning its fight with biotech companies in part because two thirds of the products they sell are not certified organic anyway, but are really conventional, chemical-intensive and foods that may contain GMOs and that they market as "natural" despite this. Most consumers don't know the difference between "natural" and "certified organic" products. "Natural" products can come from crops and animals fed nutrients containing GMOs. "Certified Organic" products are GMO-free. WFM and their main distributor, United Natural Foods, maximize profits by selling products labeled "natural" at premium organic prices.  (A typographical error in the second sentence of this story was subsequently corrected.  We regret this minor error.)

Main Source: 
CounterPunch, January 28, 2011

Comments

Aspartame

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on June 4, 2011 - 10:41am.

Actually aspartame although "artificial" is now being hidden in the generic vague "natural flavors" ingredient in some products.

Organic Valley

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on May 30, 2011 - 9:19pm.

the article states that WFM was caving,but you did not specify OGV.?
pls clarify..thx

Co-Ops buy from local farmers

Submitted by Gea R (not verified) on May 18, 2011 - 8:11pm.

I started to buy my fruits and veggies from local farmers to support the true organic concept.... to get into one of these co-ops is relative easy but some times you may encounter a waiting list.

Gloria

Monsanto and GMO

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on May 9, 2011 - 11:51pm.

I took the time to read each and everyone of your comments and sadly enough I heard (read) was fustration aggrevated and anger of what these large corportation can and will get away with.
Being we can't fight city hall, lets look upon ourself as to what steps can we do, not worry about every food intake that will kill us.

Being in the Health care profession and knowing so many people suffering from acid reflux which was once called interdigestion, crohns decease and most of all allergies.

All this is related to the GMO. If they take the DNA from a peanut then a tomatoe you will now be allergic to the tomatoe as well.
What I am getting at is Heal yourself from the inside out. I came across a probiotic that has a trishere application that when it reaches the stomach the cloric acid dosn't reconize it therefore it rejects it and passes it threw the intestines which has ackaline then the probiotic will be release into our digestive system. billions of good bacteria 80% will be release into our system. Therefore less then a couple of days you will feel the difference. Now mind you there are many probiotics out their that works but it takes months before you get the effects. Some have to be refrig.

If you want more infomation reply to this and I will get back to you.
I would be glad to tell you more.

I seen for myself people gettig off there meds HB,cholestrol pills, allergies and the list goes on.

Lets take action for ourselves and let the pharmaceutical co as well, loose the battle of not shoving down our throats another pill cause of all the issues the GMO foods are doing to us.I pray that you all take this to heart. Have a healthy day

Do you realize that e.coli is used for some of the

Submitted by savannah43 (not verified) on June 16, 2011 - 1:23pm.

genes implanted into the seeds? I would like to know what you think about that.

The USDA exists for a reason

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on May 6, 2011 - 1:42pm.

The USDA exists for a reason and will explain labeling to anyone who takes the time to read their label specifics. Each label means specific things and is regulated by the usda including the use of the word "natural" it is not a conspiracy it is following usda guidelines. instead of reading this hub bub go to usda.gov and get educated! The time is now to stop making excuses for the ignorant at no point in time does the word organic = healthy

USDA?

Submitted by savannah43 (not verified) on June 16, 2011 - 1:18pm.

Organic may not mean healthy, but it also doesn't mean poisonous. If I were you, I wouldn't talk about anyone else being ignorant. No one accused the USDA of misusing the word "natural." It's the corporations that take advantage of it. So what you are saying is that if people are fooled by or just don't understand the difference between natural food and organic food, that's their problem? You're a Republican and a Tea Bagger, aren't you?

Monsanto is the most

Submitted by mitzfitz (not verified) on May 4, 2011 - 4:55pm.

Monsanto is the most evil company ever. Dont believe me? Watch the doc. 'Food Inc.' mentioned earlier, or 'Google' Monsanto in combination with any of these key words:
- Bovine-growth hormone
- Agent orange
- Indian farmers suicide
- seed bank monopoly
- Mexican blue corn
- bribing the Canadian government
- revolving door with EPA/FDA

there is gigabites of information about Monsanto and it's detrimental impact on health, society and biology..
Please Whole foods.. I could care less if you stock GMOs (speaking as an MSc in Biology, i will admit they have drawbacks and benefits and it is unclear which out-ways the other at this point), just dont buy them from Monsanto. Anyone but Monsanto.

GMOs

Submitted by Linn (not verified) on April 28, 2011 - 10:02am.

This is yet again another example of how the all mighty dollar has more value than life. When will it end? Maybe when we are all dead from toxins. I wonder if the decision making executives are feeding their family natural or organic?

Mr. Hirshberg has gone on a

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on April 26, 2011 - 12:48pm.

Mr. Hirshberg has gone on a campaign to promote organic agriculture and farming. I think this is his way of telling monsanto to take a hike. He is right. Only by supporting organic can we fight this.