Serious Eats - In Food Policy This Week: 5 News Bites

Caffeine Regulations; Monsanto Wins in Court; Farm Bill Updates

2013-05-20T22:15:48Z

[Photograph: Shutterstock]

House and Senate Propose Farm Bills

This week, the House and Senate released their respective drafts of the Farm Bill. The Bill was scheduled to be passed in September, but the two Agriculture Committees couldn't reach an agreement. The new drafts are not quite compatible—the Senate version is 1,102 pages with $23 billion in budget cuts and the House version is 576 pages with $40 billion in budget cuts. The Senate Agricultural Committee approved their version of the bill in a 15 to 5 vote; the House Agricultural Committee will hold the same vote on their bill on Wednesday. For more details on the bills and their proceedings, check out Food Politics.

Proposed Cuts to SNAP Program

About 80% of the Farm Bill's cost to taxpayers is the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), or food stamps. The program spends $80 billion each year on over 47 million participants. In the Senate Agriculture Committee's proposed Farm Bill, there are $4 billion in cuts to the SNAP program over the next 10 years. That could mean $90 less per month for hundreds of thousands of families receiving benefits. The Bill also includes heft stipulations to eliminate benefit fraud and ensure only qualified applicants receive benefits.

Supreme Court Decision Favors Monsanto

The Supreme Court passed a ruling in Bowman v. Monsanto Co., a case that many in the agricultural community have been watching closely for several months. Hugh Bowman, a farmer from Indiana, was sued by Monsanto for re-planting patented seeds. He appealed his case all the way to the Supreme Court, who ruled unanimously in favor of Monsanto on May 13th. Justice Kagan wrote the opinion, which stated that Bowman couldn't replant and harvest patented seeds without the patenter's permission. The case further solidifies Monsanto's control of the seed market.

Food Reforms Halted in Congress

Two food reforms that have been floating around the Hill for several months—and that we've covered on this site—are being slowly shut out of political debate, according to The Salt. One is a piece of legislation that would set standards for living conditions of egg-laying hens. The legislation is a collaboration between the Humane Society of the United States and United Egg Producers, an industry group. Another is President Obama's plan to reform America's food aid program. His plan would increase the efficacy of food aid distribution abroad and increase the amount of food aid being bought from local farmers. Neither item made it into the drafts of the Farm Bill produced by the House and Senate Ag Committees.

FDA Considering Caffeine Regulation

The FDA announced plans to investigate better regulation of the sale and consumption of caffeine. The agency is particularly interested in looking at the safety of caffeine consumption for children and young adults. This announcement came in the same week that Wrigley's pulled plans for its caffeinated gum after FDA reluctance to approve the product. Michael Taylor, the head of the FDA, said that setting a minimum age for caffeine consumption is not in the plans, but that the agency will set boundaries on consumption "if the science indicates that it is warranted."

About the Author: A student in Providence, Rhode Island, Leah Douglas loves learning about, talking about, reading about, and consuming food. Her other work can be found at her website.

In Food Policy This Week: 5 News Bites

2013-05-14T22:15:00Z

Bee crisis. [Photograph: Shutterstock]

Last week, Tracie McMillan won a James Beard journalism award for her reporting on farmworkers in California. Her piece "As Common As Dirt" discusses issues in farm labor such as subcontracting and wage theft. She follows Ignacio Villalobos, a 75-year old farmworker who is a plaintiff in a class-action lawsuit against a former employer. Many farmworkers in McMillan's piece, including Villalobos, work upwards of 15-hours a day but receive pay for barely 8 hours worth of work at minimum wage. The piece highlights severe inequality at the base of our country's food chain.

Coca-Cola announced its new "Coming Together" initiative, which has several programs to help consumers make better choices. The company will soon be offering low- or no-calorie options in every market to provide an alternative to full-calorie drinks. They have declared they won't be marketing to children under 12. And they will support "active living" programs across the world to encourage consumers to increase physical activity. Though clearly a marketing strategy, there is merit in the company shifting their attention towards consumers' health concerns.

The honeybee crisis continues across the country as bee colonies swiftly decline in population. Over the past six years, on average 30 percent of colony populations died each year. This past year, farmers came close to a "pollination crisis," where there wouldn't be enough bees to pollinate crops like blueberries, almonds and apples. Farmers talk about pesticides, parasites and urban development preventing bees from being able to pollinate effectively. Regulators are struggling to keep up with colony collapse and find effective solutions.

Modern Farmer highlights "food fakes" - contamination and intentional mis-labeling that causes counterfeiting across the food industry. The author argues that this kind of activity has been happening in food production for centuries. Some of these incidents, such as swill milk in the mid-1800s, result in significant mortality. Others, such as the common replacement of cassia instead of pure cinnamon in American groceries, are less dangerous but still misleading.

Climate change continues to have an impact on grape-growing regions across the world. As the weather warms, growers are forced to consider new varieties. The kinds of wine being produced in areas of Europe are already changing, and experts anticipate that in a few decades the entire landscape of wine production will have shifted. This shift will likely have a huge impact on areas like Bordeaux or the French Rhode Valley, known for their regionally-specific wine production.

About the Author: A student in Providence, Rhode Island, Leah Douglas loves learning about, talking about, reading about, and consuming food. Her other work can be found at her website.

Restructuring American Food Aid

2013-05-06T17:05:20Z

[Image: foodaid.org]

The Obama administration announced last month its intention to restructure U.S. international food aid. Currently, the government purchases food from American farmers and ships the food overseas. The food is shipped through American shipping companies, and distributed through American charities or through local governments. This system of distribution has been in operation for almost 60 years.

But the system is inefficient and slow, and often food doesn't make it to target populations. The administration proposes purchasing food from farmers in the countries where aid is needed. Administration insiders say that the new practices could help feed 17 million more people annually.

A challenging aspect of current food aid policy is that the government often hands off American-bought food commodities to American charities for sale overseas. Charities then sell food in local markets and often compete with local growers. The U.S. is the only country that sends food overseas rather than working with local growers to increase food access in hungry populations.

The proposed change has irked many members of Congress who represent agricultural states, as well as shipping companies and some charitable groups who are concerned the administration might cut food aid funding as a result of these changes. But the Government Accountability Office had already deemed the current system of food aid "inherently inefficient." And Oxfam America, one of the largest charities in the country, released a report discussing the merits of putting more control and influence of food aid policy into the hands of local residents, rather than American farmers.

Food aid is part of the Farm Bill, so any changes would have to be approved by Congress. Given the difficulties that Congress had in passing the most recent farm bill, this change might prove too politically challenging for the administration to accomplish. At the very least, this proposal sparks an interesting conversation around the U.S.'s role in the international food trade and how best to serve hungry populations worldwide.

About the Author: A student in Providence, Rhode Island, Leah Douglas loves learning about, talking about, reading about, and consuming food. Her other work can be found at her website.

More on the Fast Food Workers Strike in New York City

2013-04-16T17:45:27Z

[Photograph: Fast Food Forward]

About 400 fast food workers in New York City recently went on strike. The strike was organized by Fast Food Forward, an organization campaigning for a higher minimum wage for fast food employees. This strike was a follow-up to an initial action last November when about 200 workers walked out. It received a fair amount of media attention and some workers succeeded in shutting down their stores.

President Obama recently proposed an increase in the federal minimum wage, from $7.25 to $9 per hour. Changes of this kind are always politically difficult, as employers of minimum wage employees are reluctant to spend more on labor. Republicans in Congress have opposed similar legislation in the past. But many states already have a minimum wage higher than the $7.25 floor, and support for the bill is widespread among labor interests.

In New York City, the average yearly salary for fast food workers is $11,000, which isn't nearly enough to survive in a city with steadily increasing rents and a high cost of living. Fast Food Forward estimates that $11,000 is only 25% of the sum required to live in New York City. For tipped workers, the federal minimum wage is just $2.13. Workers are expected to make up the difference between that sum and $7.25 in tips, a difficult proposition that leaves many workers severely underpaid.

Fast Food Forward currently has over 123,000 signatures on their petition, which you can sign here. It remains to be seen what impact the strike, and Obama's proposal, will have on the minimum wage. In the meantime, workers were encouraged that there was little retaliation from employers after the strike. As word continues to spread about Fast Food Forward's mission, future actions will likely draw greater support from workers and employers.

About the Author: A student in Providence, Rhode Island, Leah Douglas loves learning about, talking about, reading about, and consuming food. Her other work can be found at her website.

What is the Monsanto Protection Act?

2013-04-07T20:00:36Z

Last week, a particular bit of food news was in high circulation: outrage broke out over the so-called "Monsanto Protection Act," a rider that was slipped into the Appropriations Act signed by President Obama on March 26. The rider provides "temporary deregulation" of genetically-modified seeds produced by biotech companies such as Monsanto, which would protect Monsanto and others from legal challenges if their GM seeds were proven to be harmful to humans or other plants.

As we explored in a recent column, there is currently no hard evidence that GM foods are harmful to human health. But many food activists, farmers, and concerned eaters still worry that we shouldn't gamble on the safety of these largely untested foods. Additionally, many farmers have struggled when GM seeds pollinate their non-GM or organic fields, causing legal troubles and ruining crop harvests.

Monsanto has argued that the rider simply provides immunity in the "interim period," so that farmers might continue to cultivate while the companies are engaged in environmental reviews. They also wish to protect farmers from being pressured to destroy their genetically-modified crops in the case of future legal strife for biotech seed manufacturers. Politicians in favor of the rider, who prefer to refer to the rider as the Farmer Assurance Provision, include Senator Roy Blunt (R-MO), the ranking republican on the agriculture appropriations subcommittee.

Many in the political sphere were infuriated that this rider seemed to sneak past most members of Congress. Politico reports that there was "little to no floor debate" on this issue. Many members of Congress - including the Senate Appropriations Chairwoman, Barbara Mikulski (D-MD) - have spoken out against this particular stipulation of the Appropriations Act.

The rider is set to expire within six months, so it may not have any influence at all. In the meantime, a petition opposing the rider gained over 300,000 signatures. The Obama administration has not yet issued a statement responding to citizen pushback against the rider.

About the Author: A student in Providence, Rhode Island, Leah Douglas loves learning about, talking about, reading about, and consuming food. Her work has also been featured in Rhode Island Monthly Magazine.

Whole Foods Announces Labeling of GMOs by 2018

2013-03-11T20:46:59Z

In the wake of recent conversations around labeling of genetically-modified organisms, Whole Foods recently announced plans to label all of their GMO-containing products by 2018. The company already makes an effort to avoid using GMO foods in their 365 Everyday Value products, and certifies their GMO-free items through the Non-GMO Project. Whole Foods is the first food retailer to set such a standard and timeline.

The vast majority of corn and soy planted in the U.S. is genetically modified. As a result, many products containing GMO ingredients sit on store shelves. The prevalence of GMO items makes it easy to understand why GMO labeling has taken off in the public arena.

There have been a few campaigns to label GMOs in the past. Just Label It! is a national project that is urging Congress to pass a law requiring the labeling of genetically-modified foods. According to their website, over 90% of Americans want GMO labeling, and over 60 nations have already implemented legislation to label GMOs. And in the last election cycle, California's Prop 37 started a huge debate around the labeling issue. Prop 37 was ultimately defeated in a 51/49% vote, but many believe it will be reintroduced in the next cycle.

Proponents of GMO labeling say that Americans have the right to know what's in their food and to make informed choices about whether or not to consume genetically-modified ingredients. The health effects of GMOs are unknown, causing some to demand precautionary measures in case there are detrimental effects to GMO consumption. But opponents of labeling use this lack of evidence as a clear reason not to label. Without proof of harm, GMO labeling could unnecessarily scare consumers about the food on their plate. Naturally, many industry players are not excited about the idea of scaring consumers away.

So what do you think of Whole Foods' decision, eaters? Should there be a national policy to label GMOs?

Michelle Obama's Op-Ed; Chemical-Resistant Weeds; 'A Place at the Table' Film

2013-03-04T22:00:29Z

Michelle Obama wrote an op-ed in the Wall Street Journal about the economic benefits of selling healthy food. She uses the case study of Wal-Mart, which reduced the cost of vegetables and fruits to the consumer while also increasing their profits. She points to decreasing obesity rates in some states and an overall increase in vegetable purchasing in the U.S. as indicators that we are becoming more healthful as a nation. This month marks the third anniversary of her Let's Move! campaign.
A Place at the Table is a new documentary that examines food insecurity in the U.S. The commonly reported statistic is that around 50 million Americans experience some food insecurity. The demand for food pantries and soup kitchens has gone up dramatically in the past five years. A Place at the Table intends to spark a movement around increasing food access and affordability for all Americans. The film was the same people behind Food, Inc., Waiting for Superman, and The Cove, among many others. It was released in select theaters on March 1.
In a new report for Mother Jones, Tom Philpott writes about the increased prevalence of chemical-resistant weeds. 49% of farmers reported pesticide-resistant weeds in their fields, compared to only 34% in 2011. This growth is widely attributed to the increased use of chemicals on agricultural land. Pesticide manufacturers, such as the Monsanto corporation, encourage farmers to simply use more chemicals to combat these stronger weeds. Philpott thinks there might be a better option.
A new study by Robert H. Lustig, a doctor at the forefront of the medical battle against sugar consumption, tracked a significant correlation between sugar availability and diabetes rates in over 175 countries. For every additional 150 calories of sugar available (the equivalent of a 12-ounce soda), the diabetes prevalence rose by 1%. The study controlled for weight, poverty, age, and other factors that affect diet. The results drove Mark Bittman to declare in his most recent op-ed that "we finally have the proof we need for a verdict: sugar is toxic."
A new report by the USDA outlines the effects that climate change will have on agricultural production in the U.S. The report warns that both animals and crops will be sensitive to increased levels of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere, and that the effects from climate change are already being felt in nutrient and chemical balances in the soil. The USDA strongly calls for a human response to climate change, including new research and projections for the impact of climate change on agriculture. In his follow-up comments, Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack stated that the USDA would be "very aggressive" in assisting farmers in their efforts to address and mitigate climate change.

Ikea Recalls Meatballs; Mark Bittman's Op-Ed; Celiac Disease

2013-02-25T22:31:36Z

Ikea is the latest in a number of food retailers to recall beef products that were found to contain traces of horse meat. In this case, it was Ikea's iconic meatballs that were implicated as the most recent victims of the horse meat scandal. In the past few weeks, products were recalled across Europe and the U.K. after DNA testing revealed their shockingly high horse meat content. One Tesco burger contained a whopping 29% horse meat. The contaminated meats were traced to an Irish meat supplier called Silvercrest Foods. Burger King has cut off their relationship with the meat supplier, and Nestle has also recalled some products from European shelves.
In his most recent op-ed, Mark Bittman calls for the U.S. Surgeon General to take a stronger stand on issues of diet and obesity. He points out that few Americans can name the Surgeon General, let alone know her opinions on healthy diet. Regina Benjamin said little of regulating corporate behavior in her most recent report on nutrition and health, instead focusing on individual behaviors - such as limiting television and soda consumption - as the main drivers for dietary change in the U.S. Bittman would see her hold food corporations accountable to higher standards rather than blame individuals for the obesity rate.
The rate of celiac disease, an autoimmune disorder that manifests as an intolerance for gluten, has more than quadrupled in the last 50 years in the U.S. But doctors aren't sure why. This op-ed digs into the science behind various theories to explain why more and more adults are being diagnosed with celiac. Different countries have dramatically different rates of the disease, suggesting that there may be an environmental aspect to its prevalence.

Do You Compost Your Food Scraps?

2013-02-20T22:00:00Z

With the recent announcement that New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg is piloting a composting program in Staten Island, we were curious—how many of the serious eaters out there compost their food scraps? In his speech, Bloomberg shared that New Yorkers put about 1.2 million tons of food in landfills each year at a cost of $80 per ton. An organic waste recycling program would save the city money while producing fertilizer. San Francisco and Seattle are two of the only U.S. cities with city-wide composting programs. Do you compost? And if you don't, would you if your city had a pick-up program to make it easier?

Is Walmart Actually Benefiting Local Farmers?

2013-02-11T23:00:00Z

Since 2010, Walmart has worked to buy more produce from local farms. The company currently reports that 11% of its produce comes from local producers. But it seems that most of the local farms partnering with Walmart are classified by the USDA as "very large", with millions of dollars in annual sales.

Few mid- or small-size farmers are being contracted by Walmart, let alone stocking the chain's shelves with their product. Farmers speculate that the large company is unwilling to spend the money on more expensive, higher-quality local produce. As the NPR piece notes, policy advisor LaDonna Redmond says it's a slippery slope. "That's the question: Will it actually benefit [farmers], or will the situation turn out to be one where the benefit really is transferred to Wal-Mart?"

Why Quinoa Is Complicated; Oregano-Fed Chickens; South Africa's Wine Industry

2013-02-04T21:45:00Z

Quinoa is a culturally significant food to many communities in parts of Ecuador, Bolivia, and Peru. But as the grain has become more trendy in the U.S., quinoa prices have risen starkly in those parts of the world. As a result, many people who traditionally have relied on quinoa for sustenance are now selling their grains for pasta and rice, cheaper alternatives that are becoming new dietary staples. Tom Philpott explores the social and economic issues embedded in the Westernizing of Andean food culture, and the environmental cost of increased quinoa production.
In the midst of panicked debates about feeding animals large quantities of antibiotics, some farmers are turning to more natural sources to help their chickens stave off infection. Some farmers have tried feeding chickens, goats, and piglets oregano oil as a means of controlling parasites, worms, and bacteria. Many have seen success from this natural product. And with a growing interest from large buyers in antibiotic-free meat, switching to an oregano-based medicine chest could prove profitable for many meat growers.
Workers in South Africa's wine industry have begun near-daily protests in the Western Cape province, demanding improved wages and working conditions. The wine industry was once fueled by slave labor, and modern-day workers assert that their conditions aren't much better than those of their ancestors. Human Rights Watch has reported on the unsanitary living conditions and terrible pay - an average of $8 per day - that workers undergo in the region. A South African labor federation is calling for a worldwide boycott of South African fruit and wine to put pressure on producers.
The FDA finally released long-awaited rules as a part of the Food Safety Modernization Act, which was passed in 2011 and was the first major food safety overhaul passed since the 1930s. The first rule would require food manufacturers to have a written plan detailing their efforts to avoid contaminating their products with bacteria that might cause foodborne illness. The second rule contains science- and risk-based standards for the safe handling and harvesting of food on farms. These rules are open for public comment. The head of the FDA, Michael R. Taylor, said that the administration worked hard to craft rules that were adaptable to and appropriate for farms of all sizes.
Western Farm Press featured a Top 10 of their biggest agricultural stories of 2012, including Prop 37, last summer's devastating drought, and California's marijuana industry. Some of the biggest stories of last year's food policy issues.

USDA Study on Grocery Spending; Gatorade Petition

2012-12-17T22:30:08Z

A new study from the USDA looks at how much money American households are spending on different types of groceries. The study used Nielsen data from 1998 to 2006, and organized food purchases into larger food groups for easier comparison. The study graphed the percent of food expenditure on various food groups projected by the USDA's dietary recommendations, and compared that percentage to what Americans are actually buying. Unsurprisingly, households spent a significantly larger percentage of money on refined grains, red meat, sugars, and frozen foods than recommended by the USDA.
Oxfam America is hosting an online discussion forum to debate key topics in the future of agriculture. The discussions are focused around four key issues: farmer knowledge and investment; women's roles in agriculture and land ownership; managing risk in agricultural systems; and farming's reliance on fossil fuels. The forums are meant to inspire conversation between readers and experts.
And on a similar note, John Ambler, the Vice President of Strategy for Oxfam America, has a substantial post on a World Bank blog projecting the state of agriculture in 2050. He emphasizes institutional reform as a crucial component in producing enough food to feed a population of 9 billion. He calls for greater regulation of chemical inputs and more government involvement in supporting smallholders and agricultural research, but less interference in the market through crop supports and subsidies.
Sarah Kavanagh, a 15-year old from Mississippi, has launched a petition on Change.org in an effort to convince PepsiCo to remove a controversial ingredient from its Gatorade drinks. The ingredient, brominated vegetable oil, is considered to be safe by the FDA. However, Kavanagh's research found that the additive can result in hormonal and neurological side effects. The ingredient is used in many citrus-flavored drinks to keep flavors from separating. But the European Union has banned the use of this ingredient and companies have adapted products in that region. Kavanagh and her 200,000 co-signers hope they will do the same in the States.
The Huffington Post has a story highlighting the explosive growth in the craft beer industry in the U.S. in the past ten years. Prohibition nearly eliminated beer production in the early 1900s, and production dipped again in the 1970s with fewer than 50 breweries in operation. Since 1990, however, an average of over 100 breweries has opened each year. In 2012, there were 2,751 breweries operating in the U.S. - a staggering number, buoyed by increasing consumption of craft and small-batch brews. Various states have passed legislation to make it easier for breweries to launch - good news for lovers of high-quality beer.

Cory Booker's Food Stamp Challenge; American Olive Oil; Diet Climate

2012-12-10T21:15:42Z

Newark Mayor Cory Booker decided to take on the "food stamp challenge." The challenge entails shopping within the budget of a person who receives SNAP benefits for one week. The average SNAP benefits for an individual in New Jersey is $133 a month, or about $33 per week. Booker has maintained his diet through meetings at swanky restaurants and bakeries. The challenge will end tomorrow.
About 98% of olive oil sold in the U.S. is imported, but our domestic olive oil industry is growing. Domestic producers are beginning to push back against imported oils, claiming that the quality of these products is often not high enough to warrant an "extra-virgin" label. Brands such as Filippo Berio and Bertolli were indicated as being particularly iffy. Right now foreign brands maintain dominance, but domestic brands might gain reputation as the purest olive oils if quality continues to be an issue.
HumanMedia has produced a series of radio segments discussing the diet-climate connection. These pieces, which will be aired on NPR stations, focus on food purchasing and preparation in schools, the carbon footprint of agriculture, and the impact of eating locally. The stories highlight food activists at all levels of government and community engagement.
Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack gave a speech last week in which he discussed the decreasing relevance of rural America. He suggested that Congress' failure to pass a new Farm Bill this year was an indicator of the shrinking importance of rural issues. He called for farming communities to pick stronger and more compelling political issues, and to have a proactive message so as to attract younger and more motivated people to agriculture.
In other USDA news, the department announced this week that it will eliminate restrictions on the amount of meat and grains that schools can serve in lunches. This change comes after some legislators complained that kids weren't getting enough to eat at school. The restrictions were part of a larger package of nutritional regulations implemented with the goal of reducing obesity rates among young schoolchildren.

Kosher Restaurants; Farm Bill Update; Food Waste

2012-12-04T16:00:00Z

In Israel, kosher restaurants are certified by Orthodox Jews, as required by the government. (This regulation is in contrast to kosher certification in the U.S., which is performed by private groups of rabbis.) Some restaurants in Israel are protesting the status quo because they claim that kosher certifiers have become corrupt and are accepting bribes for services. The argument exposes deeper divides between secular and religious Israelis, whose interests and demands are often at odds in political issues.
Marion Nestle provides an update on the progress of the 2012 Farm Bill. The Farm Bill expired on September 30th and was set to be renewed. However, the House and Senate never agreed on a version of the bill. Several programs of the Bill have lapsed and are causing difficulties for farmers. Nestle offers three options for moving forward with the bill - pass a new bill before January 1, rewrite the bill after the "fiscal cliff", or vote to extend the 2008 bill through 2013. Congress' decision will affect the lives of millions of farmers as well as participants in SNAP and other nutrition programs.
A new report from the Food and Environment Reporting Network discusses the impact that fracking has on our food supply. Fracking, a process of natural gas extraction, has already been found to contaminate soil and water supplies with toxic chemicals. Elizabeth Royte's report revels that significant amounts of these toxic chemicals have also been found in meat and milk supplied from fracking areas. Animals may not appear sick even if they produce contaminated product, making it hard to trace damaging toxins.
Environmentalists and foodies alike are bringing more attention to food waste generated by restaurants. Restaurants generally waste about 10% of the food they buy, and rarely do they have compost systems to make good use of that waste. Food waste accounts for 15% of landfill trash in the U.S. Its environmental impact extends beyond the landfill, as food rots and generates methane gas that is harmful to the atmosphere. But changing behaviors in the restaurant industry is difficult, given employees' already challenging workloads and owners' limited time.
The FDA exercised its authority to close down production at an organic peanut butter plant in New Mexico. A recent salmonella outbreak was tracked to Sunland Inc.'s processing plant, which produces organic peanut butter for Trader Joe's, as well as other peanut and nut products. Inspectors found traces of salmonella in almost 30 locations throughout the plant. In this inspection and in prior inspections in the past four years, there were reports of numerous health and safety violations. The company must give a hearing before the FDA before reopening.

Nutella Tax; Healthier Snacks in Chicago Schools; Organic Labels

2012-11-26T21:15:00Z

The French government has passed a law quadrupling the tax on palm oil, which is a primary ingredient in Nutella. This chocolate-hazelnut spread is one of the country's most beloved food items, and there has been widespread pushback against the tax. Government officials pushed the legislation through as an attempt to tackle rising obesity rates in the country. Officials insist that the tax will be levied on producers and will not impact consumers.
Chicago Public School officials passed a regulation to ban the sale of unhealthy beverages and snacks at schools across the city. Products that are sold in vending machines and in cafeteria snack lines must meet calorie, fat, and sodium limits. Organizations are discouraged from fundraising through bake sales. And milks in cafeterias must be skim, low-fat, or enriched soy/rice milks. Mayor Rahm Emanuel hopes that this initiative will improve health and food options for students across Chicago.
Beginning next year, organic producers will undergo periodic testing by USDA agents to ensure that they are maintaining organic practices. Under current regulations, manufacturers and growers of organic products are tested and inspected before being certified, but there is no required inspection to ensure that the products continue to meet organic standards over time. This new rule requires that inspectors check in on 5% of organic-certified producers each year. Hopefully this will incentivize producers to maintain a high organic standard.
In other organics news, a man who sold $6.5 million of wrongly-labeled organic fertilizer was sentenced to a year in prison earlier this month. Peter Townsley knowingly sold non-compliant organic fertilizer from 2000 to 2006, and duped both customers and industry regulators into thinking his fertilizer met organic fertilizer standards. Townsley will also pay a $125,000 fine and have three years of probation, six months of which will likely be spent volunteering on organic farms, as mandated by the court.
Livestock farmers from several states put pressure on the Environmental Protection Agency to reduce the required amount of corn ethanol in gasoline. This reaction was a result of extensive crop loss after the extreme drought this summer. Livestock farmers demanded that the EPA assist in the reallocation of corn to feed animals, rather than gasoline, as feed prices continue to rise as a result of the drought. The EPA, however, maintains that channeling corn into ethanol production has little to no impact on the price of corn feed, and they will uphold their gasoline standards for the foreseeable future.