Studies Show Higher Antioxidant Levels in Organic and Spoiled Produce

As the organic vs. conventional battle rages on, a major new study awards yet another victory to organic produce and dairy. But oddly enough, organics may not be the only antioxidant heavyweight. Look deep within your produce bin to discover the ignored fruit and vegetables that are just a bit past their prime, and you may actually uncover a treasure trove of antioxidants.

Overseas threat to British organic meat farmers

Yes, we know we should be vegetarians, but we really do like a bit of British, organic meat now and then, and that's why we were gutted to learn from a report published today by the Soil Association that "supermarket pricing is holding back UK organic meat production".

Paraná is model in organic production

Paraná is considered a model in organic production in Brazil. Of the 42 Brazilian companies integrating OrganicsBrasil, a programme geared at promotion of the sector on the foreign market, 14 are from the state of Paraná. In all, there are around 100 industries and 4,000 farmers dedicated to the production of organic food in the state, which reaches 75,000 tonnes a year.

Organic farming gains momentum in India

Four-fold rise targetted to take area beyond 2 million hectares by 2012.

Organic agriculture movement is gaining in momentum in the country. The area under organic cultivation is likely to cross the 2 million hectare mark by 2012, according to National Centre for Organic Farming (NCOF), a body under the Union Ministry of Agriculture.

Where’s the beef? - report shows UK beef producers are getting short-changed

A new report from the Soil Association shows British organic beef producers are getting short-changed by their processors and some key supermarkets who are not paying enough to cover the costs of production, and choosing to import organic beef even though there could easily be enough supply in the UK. These factors are endangering the security and development of organic beef production in the UK and leading to unnecessary carbon emissions, says the Soil Association, the UK’s leading organic organisation.

Organic growth that leaves some farmers trailing

The organic vegetable box fast became a must-have accessory for 21st-century Britain.

Along with reusable shopping bags and a dogged commitment to recycling, having your weekly fruit and veg – still covered in the requisite amount of mud – delivered to your door from the nearest local farm is a clear sign that your ethical radar is pointing in the right direction and, according to the Soil Association, more and more of us are jumping on the bandwagon.

Shopping lists 'get more ethical'

Shoppers take it all for granted - fresh produce available all the year round regardless of whether it is in season in the UK.

But does it make any sense?

S.J. farmers find organic certification a challenge

A farmer in the back row rested his eyes as his classmates turned to Page G6.1 of an organic farming "system plan."

Two hours into this lecture in a quiet east Stockton conference room, the teacher - a farmer himself - offered reassurance:

Spread the cheer back to the farm yard this Christmas

Christmas is a time to feast, and in a meat loving nation, the festive spread is almost guaranteed to include a bountiful array of ham, beef, chicken, turkey, lamb and eggs.

But before you launch into your Christmas shopping consider the far-reaching effects of your supermarket choices, says Biological Farmers Australia.

Govt to make Andhra Pradesh organic coffee hub

Government has earmarked Rs 76 crore to promote cultivation and export of organic coffee in Andhra Pradesh, aimed at providing livelihood security in naxal-infested areas of the state.

Consumers Seeking the Green

Despite economic challenges, many consumers of natural products are willing to pay more for environmentally friendly products, according to a MamboTrack study by Mambo Sprouts Marketing. In the survey of 1,000 natural products consumers, seven out of 10 said they’d be willing to pay up to 20-percent more for “green” products and services. While price remains the overwhelming factor (60 percent) in deciding where to shop, 56 percent said a selection of healthy organic products and 49 percent cited availability of organic produce as key factors.

Whole Foods recalls chocolate bars over undeclared nuts

A large natural foods grocer is recalling milk chocolate bars distributed and sold in Colorado over the possibility that the bars contain nuts which are not listed in the ingredients.

The Colorado Department of Public Health announced Tuesday that Whole Foods Market is recalling the brand name 365 Organic Everyday Value Swiss Milk Chocolate Bars with Rice Crisps, 3-ounce size, with a "best if used by date" of 11/21/07. The date can be found on the back of the wrapper.

Antibiotic-Resistant E. Coli Rises in Chickens

Potentially harmful E. coli bacteria has developed such staunch resistance to human antibiotics in chicken processing facilities that workers may unwittingly spread harmful bacteria in their communities, according to a new Johns Hopkins University study detailed in Newsday.

Quick guide: Sustainable food

The Earth's increasing population means more pressure on finite resources. It is estimated that if all six billion people on Earth lived a European lifestyle, we would need more than two-and-a-half planets' worth of resources to support us.

Organic Food Industry Is Duping Consumers on Health, Environment Issues

Organic foods are quite in vogue--they constitute the fastest-growing segment of the food industry. Food markets from Whole Foods to Wal-Mart are trying to capture part of this burgeoning market.

The reason for this is that the public thinks organic foods are more nutritious, less toxic, and better for the environment than conventionally produced foods. Alex Avery's new book will convince you that these claims are all false.

Poabs’ call to back its ‘organic farming movement’

Poabs Group director Thomas Jacob said has called upon ecologists and environmental groups to support the group’s “organic farming movement” and added that he was ready to put his estates “to the most stringent tests”.

When Organic Foods Are Worth Your Money

You do not have to shop at specialty stores any longer for a wide variety of organic foods. Mainstream supermarkets carry a much bigger selection than just apples and oranges. You can buy almost any food as an organic product, but doing so means you'll likely pay more.

Organic consideration

The Nov. 14 column "Is organic food healthier?" suggested that organic food is not worth the additional cost, focusing on the alleged lack of evidence regarding related health effects. Organic foods have only recently become widely available at most grocery stores, so it's true there have not been many specific studies on organic versus conventional food healthfulness. However, there is recent data supporting the idea that organics are healthier. Early results of an EU-funded study indicate organic fruit and vegetables contain up to 40 percent more antioxidants and higher levels of some beneficial minerals than their non-organic counterparts. Another study found a two-fold increase in antioxidants in organic tomatoes compared to conventionally grown tomatoes. Antioxidants, of course, are believed to lower the risk of heart disease and cancer in many studies.

Soil Association: Public unaware that most milk, dairy products and pork from GM

Nearly all the milk, dairy products and pork in UK supermarkets are being produced from animals fed on GM crops, and none of this is labelled, according to a Soil Association investigation. Tests of animal feed and a survey of company policies have revealed that all the supermarkets are widely allowing the use of GM feed. The report found that around 60% of the maize and 30% of the soya fed to dairy cattle and pigs is GM. [1] Most consumers are unwittingly eating food produced from GM crops everyday.

Organic air ban raises fears for flavours

The proposed restrictions on air freighting of organic produce into the UK could have implications for the flavour industry, as some valuable raw materials are grown far way and would not survive lengthy sea freighting times.