The UK organization SOIL ASSOCIATION approved air freight for organic produces. This is against the primary meaning of "Organic" and "Bio" mutating so the meaning to a healthy product, without any gain on protecting environment, compared with conventional produces.
Considering the efforts to protect the climate, air freight cannot be linked to a holistic way of life.
A new definition should be created:
ORGANIC(English) BIO (German): The produces following the EU organic regulation. They are sold on supermarkets and have high carbon footprints.
NATURE FOOD (English) NATURKOST (GERMAN: Vegetables, fruits and meat produced in a holistic way, at small farms. They are sold at the farm or small local stores.
Thursday, 1 November 2007
Saturday, 8 September 2007
Is GM corn becoming vital for Europe on account of climate change?
Dow AgroScience and Bayer CropSciences and others are fighting the battle to lead in Europe fast growing market of seeds and agrochemicals for corn grain and silage. Genetic modified corn and their products will enter the food chain.
This is unwanted by the consumer,however, climate change brings mild winter for Europe. Pests will not be controlled by nature any more. Other weeds will invade the fields. Politicians are helpless to counter this evolution. More agrochemicals will be necessary. GM traits may be a solution for less chemicals on the fields.
Do we have to accept GM food to cope with the unavoidable climate change?
This is unwanted by the consumer,however, climate change brings mild winter for Europe. Pests will not be controlled by nature any more. Other weeds will invade the fields. Politicians are helpless to counter this evolution. More agrochemicals will be necessary. GM traits may be a solution for less chemicals on the fields.
Do we have to accept GM food to cope with the unavoidable climate change?
Friday, 7 September 2007
Sodium Benzoate and food colours increase hyperactivity in children
According to the UK Food Standards Agency, parents of children showing signs of hyperactivity are being advised that cutting certain artificial colours from their diets might have some beneficial effects. The colours – Sunset yellow (E110), Quinoline yellow (E104), Carmoisine (E122), Allura red (E129), Tartrazine (E102) Ponceau 4R (E124), and Sodium benzonate (E211) – were studied as part of new FSA-commissioned research.
Sodium benzoate in association with citric or ascorbic acid has also been linked with cancer-risk from soft drinks due to the formation of benzene. Food safety systems like HACCP provide safe technologies of cleaning, disinfection and packaging which turn the use of preservatives such as sodium benzoate unnecessary. The need of preservatives indicate a loophole of cleaning and food safety of the production line. There are natural colours which may be used instead of artificial colours.
Food producers should turn away from artificial colours and chemical preservatives. Back to nature.
Consumers should carefully study the ingredient list and avoid foods with artificial colours, preservatives and other chemical additives.
Sodium benzoate in association with citric or ascorbic acid has also been linked with cancer-risk from soft drinks due to the formation of benzene. Food safety systems like HACCP provide safe technologies of cleaning, disinfection and packaging which turn the use of preservatives such as sodium benzoate unnecessary. The need of preservatives indicate a loophole of cleaning and food safety of the production line. There are natural colours which may be used instead of artificial colours.
Food producers should turn away from artificial colours and chemical preservatives. Back to nature.
Consumers should carefully study the ingredient list and avoid foods with artificial colours, preservatives and other chemical additives.
Thursday, 6 September 2007
Mutating supermarket organic food
New denomination of two categories of foods
European organic food has mutated to mass production under the EU regulation 2092/91 and 1804/1999.
The European Commission in their “ European Action Plan for Organic Food and Farming” states:
“For consumers buying organic produce in supermarkets, environmental considerations are thought to be less important, compared to consumers buying produce in specialised organic shops. “
The European organic food regulation clearly demonstrates its commitment to mass production and the supermarkets as distribution channel.
This increases monoculture, wide fields, long transport ways, and air freight.
Two different groups of foods are therefore on the market and need proper labeling:
Nature food (En), Naturkost (D): Nature food is produced according to rules of certifying corporations which follow the principles of Rudolf Steiner or other holistic ways of farming. These Foods are sold by the producer itself at its farm, at weekly markets or at nature shops. There competent informations are given concerning the origin of the food. The consumer understands that the higher price of nature products is due to diversification of crops at the farm, a species-appropriate animal raising, and environment conservation.
Organic Food (En), (Biokost D): Organic food is produced according to the EU 2092/91 and 1804/1999 regulation. The consumer expects food produced without agrarian chemicals, like herbicides or pesticides. He expects better taste compared with conventional foods. He looks after low priced products. He is concerned with the welfare of his person and does not care about environment. He is not interested to know the food miles and airfreight of the items he buys. Organic food is primarily sold by supermarket chains.
Is it imperative to have both food groups clearly separated?
Your opinion is welcome.
European organic food has mutated to mass production under the EU regulation 2092/91 and 1804/1999.
The European Commission in their “ European Action Plan for Organic Food and Farming” states:
“For consumers buying organic produce in supermarkets, environmental considerations are thought to be less important, compared to consumers buying produce in specialised organic shops. “
The European organic food regulation clearly demonstrates its commitment to mass production and the supermarkets as distribution channel.
This increases monoculture, wide fields, long transport ways, and air freight.
Two different groups of foods are therefore on the market and need proper labeling:
Nature food (En), Naturkost (D): Nature food is produced according to rules of certifying corporations which follow the principles of Rudolf Steiner or other holistic ways of farming. These Foods are sold by the producer itself at its farm, at weekly markets or at nature shops. There competent informations are given concerning the origin of the food. The consumer understands that the higher price of nature products is due to diversification of crops at the farm, a species-appropriate animal raising, and environment conservation.
Organic Food (En), (Biokost D): Organic food is produced according to the EU 2092/91 and 1804/1999 regulation. The consumer expects food produced without agrarian chemicals, like herbicides or pesticides. He expects better taste compared with conventional foods. He looks after low priced products. He is concerned with the welfare of his person and does not care about environment. He is not interested to know the food miles and airfreight of the items he buys. Organic food is primarily sold by supermarket chains.
Is it imperative to have both food groups clearly separated?
Your opinion is welcome.
Wednesday, 4 July 2007
Are German nuclear power plants safe?
On 28 June 2007 two German power plants were shut down because of unsettled incidents. [1]
An external fire in a transformator of the power plant of Krümmel, in the proximity of the metropol Hamburg caused the failure of the cooling system of the core of the reactor. Pressure and the level of cooling water went down, safety valves opened . A second cooling system avoided further harm. This incident, however demonstrates that external incidents interfere in the security of the nuclear core.
The German nuclear power plants are safe, because Germans are meticulous in everything they do. What is unsafe is nuclear power on itself.
The Oxford paper on nuclear power [2]The Oxford paper "Too Hot to Handle? The Future of Civil Nuclear Power" says that the idea that nuclear power can somehow reduce global greenhouse gas emissions is a pipedream. The energy which is needed in near future is so great that 3,000 would need to built by 2075, that is about one a week. It contrasts starkly to the highest historic rate of 3.4 reactors going online per year.
according to the paper, a civil nuclear construction and supply program on this scale is a pipe dream, and completely unfeasible. Instead, it argues, building more nuclear power plants just increases the risk of proliferation and a nuclear terror attack.
The paper does not mention that further limits to the nuclear are the limited world uranium resources, the unsolved problem of radioactive waste contaminating earth for ever and the dangers of nuclear accidents.
The German Energy Summit in Berlin 3.07.2007
The German Chancellor Angela Merkel, bound to the coalition agreement of her government, postponed the return to nuclear power to a change in 2009. For her present mandate she presented her energy and polution reduction plan.
German strategy [3]
Merkel calls for a 3 percent annual increase in energy efficiency in Germany as well as a reduction in carbon dioxide emissions by 2020 by up to 40 percent in comparison to 1990 levels.
One of the main ways the government wants to achieve the energy efficiency goal is through better energy savings in isolation in buildings. A government energy working group is calling for subsidies for building improvements -- like better insulation -- to be increased from €1.4 billion to €3.5 billion a year.
Germany also wants to increase the number of co-generation plants that are capable of delivering both electricity and heat to consumers, as well as adhering to the EU goal of reducing carbon dioxide emissions in cars from an average of 160 grams per kilometer to 120 grams, with more equipped to use greater amounts of biofuels; and homes must be better insulated to save energy. Additionally, renewable energies must play a far greater role in the country's energy mix
The energy efficiency will have to be doubled by 2020 over 1990 levels.
Germany should act global
German government, the industry, investors and think tanks should not forget innovative ways which could open a new road for German technology, such as to start a project on the desert zones of Africa to cover an areal with voltaic elements to produce hydrogen to phase out fossile energy in power plants and in automobiles. This would increase jobs in researche, production and image of German know how.
Covering some parts of the African desert with arcovoltaic elements would bring such arid places back to be used again for some kind of agriculture. Moving the voltaic elements could regain such arid zones. Winning clean energy would help the restoration of such waste zones, adding a precious contribution to environment. This project could be presented to the United Nations for an international collaboration.
Reduction of air traffic
Air traffic is the most deleting way to kill our environment. Unnecessary air travel and cargo should be phased out. Short vacation trips should elong to the past. This is what every person can do to save our planet instead of just having a nice blog. Phase out of air traffic is unfortunately no subject considering the Open Sky agreement between Germany and USA. Merkel is proud that this Agreement will double air traffic next year. (How does this match with the foregoing commitments to climate?.
[1] Spiegel Online: Trafo-Feuer wirkte sich doch auf Reaktor aus
http://www.spiegel.de/wissenschaft/mensch/0,1518,492256,00.html
[2] Spiegel Online: Nuclear Renaissance Increases Terror Risks'
http://www.spiegel.de/international/business/0,1518,492404,00.html
[3] Spiegel Online: Merkel Nudges for Nuclear Power Comeback
http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/0,1518,492202,00.html
Monday, 2 July 2007
Is McDonalds committed to healthy food?
The Trans-fatty acid story of McDonald´s [1]
It is amazing that McDonalds proudly announces how unhealthy its products were,still are and will remain.
Using 30% trans fatty acid oil until 1998, gradualy reducing to 15% and loudly announcing to reduce this to 2% in mid 2008 following pressure from media and facing FDA mandatory labelling
demonstrates how little the company is really devoted to healthyness of their products.
ZERO-Trans oils are produced when the steaming temperature during the raffination process is reduced. This increases the time the oil has to stay in the system, resulting in a small increase of price.
McDonald´s should use the solution of Denmark and reduce the Trans to zero. This would be a real commitment to the health of their customers.
The environmental story of McDonald´s [1]
The fast food chain gloats with the intention to transform used frying oil in biodiesel. Used frying oil is already being delivered to the chemical industry which produces technical fatty acids, and more recently it is partially being converted in biodiesel. That is the way to get rid of waste oil food business is using since frying began. What is new is the dimension of environmental unfriendly transportation system necessary to avoid MacDonald´s and colleagues from collapse.
[1] ttx: The campaign against trans fats in food
http://www.tfx.org.uk/page236.html
Saturday, 2 June 2007
Are organic produces at supermarkets eyewash?
Shortage of Organics supermarket
What is Organic?
Organic produces does not fit retailer logistic because the produces are embedded in regional values and traditional knowledge. Long distances from producer to consumer are unavoidable. To supply retailers large unsustainable fields are necessary. Agrarian chemicals are necessary and mechanisation of agriculture increases carbon output.
Organic crop yields [1]
The crop yields of organic farms are much lower as obtained by conventional farming. This means, the prices of these products are higher than conventional prices The difference varies from 20 to 100%. A problem is the low acceptance of the organic products because of their price.
Yields of milk
Conventional 4886 litres/year
Organic breed 4o44 Litres/year
Yields of wheat
Conventional 61 dt/ha
Organic breed 38 dt/ha
Unfortunately a great group of consumer buy organic foods only because of their own health. Comparing prices, the positive impact on environment, ecology and conservation of the countryside are not taken into consideration.
Organics in USA, regulations: According to Ronnie Cummins, writing for The Progressive Populist The USDA is caught in a familiar predicament given the agency's dual role. On the one hand it is set up ostensibly to protect consumers by ensuring a safe food supply and guarantee the economic livelihood of America's farmers, the majority of whom continue to operate small and medium-sized farms. On the other hand, USDA also sees as its role to promote the industrialization and globalization of American agriculture which means working closely with large agribusiness, chemical, and biotechnology corporations. The natural food industry, with its small stores, small family farms, and discriminating consumers, has begun to pose a direct threat to the market share of large-scale agribusiness.
Guidelines like the CAC/GL32 of the Codex Alimentarius wants to protect: [2]
1.Consumers against deception and fraud in the market place and unsubstantiated product claims;
2. Producers of organic produce against misrepresentation of other agricultural produce as being organic;
3.and to introduce inspections and certification of the production, preparation, storage, transport and marketing of these products so that they are socially, ecologically and economically sustainable.
Organic agriculture practices cannot ensure that products are completely free of residues, due to general environmental pollution.. The primary goal of organic agriculture is to optimize the health and productivity of interdependent communities of soil life, plants, animals and people.
More about the principles of organic agriculture please refer to
http://www.ifoam.org/about_ifoam/principles/index.html
Annalists and Retailers are euphoric with booming business with organic produces. They are a bit sad about the shortage of supplies says a new report from Organic Monitor.
In UK and Germany, the biggest consumer of organics, shortage of organic milk is being deplored and importing milk from other countries increasing traffic on German highways and the Channel. [3]
Transitional Organics, Organic import.
Some retailers are making compromise with organic regulations selling 'transitional' organic milk from herds that have not yet completed their organic conversion.
The UK Whole Foods Market, imports organic milk from Europe. Referring to this the Soil Association suggested that produce with air miles and more should not be allowed to bear organic certification.
US retailers handling the problem
In US retailers smelling profit looked at the smiling face of organics. Dairy farmers have rushed to complete their conversion period.
Organic Food without natural composition
Clever manufacturers rely not only on ecology but also on chemistry adding omega-3 fatty acids organic milk, with two marvelous claims "organic" and "fortified" to pep-up nature. New organic yoghurt, ice-creams, and cheeses will come on the US. innovation on nature, and nobody cares about what is real nature and the principles of organic farming.
US abundance or eyewash?
Nobody can explain the sudden US abundance of organics facing the fact that it has only 1.6m hectares certified organic area which is ten times smaller as the organic area of Australia. Because of the sudden abundance of organics in USA Australia which accounts for the largest certified organic surface area, and New Zealand which had supplied USA must suddenly look for Europe to sell their overproduction.
Conference on Marketing of Organic and Regional Values
The 1st IFOAM conference in Swäbisch Hall, Germany 26-28 August 2007 wants to initiate and foster the discussion and knowledge about marketing of organic and regional values, respective tools and frameworks. The conference will consider regulatory approaches to protect regional values and traditional knowledge. [4]
[1] OurFood: Organic
http://www.ourfood.com/Organic_food.html
[2]Codex Alimentarius: CAC/GL 32 Guidelines for organics.
http://www.codexalimentarius.net/web/standard_list.do?lang=en
[3] Organic Monitor: Organic Food Shortages Curbing Market Growth 25/05/07
http://www.organicmonitor.com/uk.htm#1
[4] IFOAM: 1st IFOAM Conference on Marketing of Organic and Regional Values 26-28.08.2007
http://www.ifoam.org/events/ifoam_conferences/regional_values_2007.html
What is Organic?
Organic produces does not fit retailer logistic because the produces are embedded in regional values and traditional knowledge. Long distances from producer to consumer are unavoidable. To supply retailers large unsustainable fields are necessary. Agrarian chemicals are necessary and mechanisation of agriculture increases carbon output.
Organic crop yields [1]
The crop yields of organic farms are much lower as obtained by conventional farming. This means, the prices of these products are higher than conventional prices The difference varies from 20 to 100%. A problem is the low acceptance of the organic products because of their price.
Yields of milk
Conventional 4886 litres/year
Organic breed 4o44 Litres/year
Yields of wheat
Conventional 61 dt/ha
Organic breed 38 dt/ha
Unfortunately a great group of consumer buy organic foods only because of their own health. Comparing prices, the positive impact on environment, ecology and conservation of the countryside are not taken into consideration.
Organics in USA, regulations: According to Ronnie Cummins, writing for The Progressive Populist The USDA is caught in a familiar predicament given the agency's dual role. On the one hand it is set up ostensibly to protect consumers by ensuring a safe food supply and guarantee the economic livelihood of America's farmers, the majority of whom continue to operate small and medium-sized farms. On the other hand, USDA also sees as its role to promote the industrialization and globalization of American agriculture which means working closely with large agribusiness, chemical, and biotechnology corporations. The natural food industry, with its small stores, small family farms, and discriminating consumers, has begun to pose a direct threat to the market share of large-scale agribusiness.
Guidelines like the CAC/GL32 of the Codex Alimentarius wants to protect: [2]
1.Consumers against deception and fraud in the market place and unsubstantiated product claims;
2. Producers of organic produce against misrepresentation of other agricultural produce as being organic;
3.and to introduce inspections and certification of the production, preparation, storage, transport and marketing of these products so that they are socially, ecologically and economically sustainable.
Organic agriculture practices cannot ensure that products are completely free of residues, due to general environmental pollution.. The primary goal of organic agriculture is to optimize the health and productivity of interdependent communities of soil life, plants, animals and people.
More about the principles of organic agriculture please refer to
http://www.ifoam.org/about_ifoam/principles/index.html
Annalists and Retailers are euphoric with booming business with organic produces. They are a bit sad about the shortage of supplies says a new report from Organic Monitor.
In UK and Germany, the biggest consumer of organics, shortage of organic milk is being deplored and importing milk from other countries increasing traffic on German highways and the Channel. [3]
Transitional Organics, Organic import.
Some retailers are making compromise with organic regulations selling 'transitional' organic milk from herds that have not yet completed their organic conversion.
The UK Whole Foods Market, imports organic milk from Europe. Referring to this the Soil Association suggested that produce with air miles and more should not be allowed to bear organic certification.
US retailers handling the problem
In US retailers smelling profit looked at the smiling face of organics. Dairy farmers have rushed to complete their conversion period.
Organic Food without natural composition
Clever manufacturers rely not only on ecology but also on chemistry adding omega-3 fatty acids organic milk, with two marvelous claims "organic" and "fortified" to pep-up nature. New organic yoghurt, ice-creams, and cheeses will come on the US. innovation on nature, and nobody cares about what is real nature and the principles of organic farming.
US abundance or eyewash?
Nobody can explain the sudden US abundance of organics facing the fact that it has only 1.6m hectares certified organic area which is ten times smaller as the organic area of Australia. Because of the sudden abundance of organics in USA Australia which accounts for the largest certified organic surface area, and New Zealand which had supplied USA must suddenly look for Europe to sell their overproduction.
Conference on Marketing of Organic and Regional Values
The 1st IFOAM conference in Swäbisch Hall, Germany 26-28 August 2007 wants to initiate and foster the discussion and knowledge about marketing of organic and regional values, respective tools and frameworks. The conference will consider regulatory approaches to protect regional values and traditional knowledge. [4]
[1] OurFood: Organic
http://www.ourfood.com/Organic_food.html
[2]Codex Alimentarius: CAC/GL 32 Guidelines for organics.
http://www.codexalimentarius.net/web/standard_list.do?lang=en
[3] Organic Monitor: Organic Food Shortages Curbing Market Growth 25/05/07
http://www.organicmonitor.com/uk.htm#1
[4] IFOAM: 1st IFOAM Conference on Marketing of Organic and Regional Values 26-28.08.2007
http://www.ifoam.org/events/ifoam_conferences/regional_values_2007.html
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)