Smart Balance to launch organic soy milk at Whole Foods

"Smart Balance, purveyors of my favorite vegan buttery spread, has stepped into the organic soy milk arena with the national launch of Earth Balance Organic Soymilk—available exclusively at Whole Foods beginning in August.

"We are thrilled to be partnering with Whole Foods, a retail industry leader in providing new and innovative products to health-conscious consumers, on the launch of our new Earth Balance Soymilk,” said Smart Balance Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Stephen Hughes. “This new product joins the super-premium family of Earth Balance® branded products, including buttery spreads, shortenings and nut butters. Importantly, it will provide consumers with the only refrigerated soy milk product in the market that is both organic and Non-GMO Project certified."

Read the article

Florida Supplement Receives USDA Organic Certification

"http://www.FloridaSupplement.com, a GMP compliant contract manufacturer and packager of nutritional supplements based in Hollywood, Florida, announced that it has received organic certification from Quality Certification Services, a USDA National Organic Certification Program. USDA organic certification allows Florida Supplement’s customers to differentiate themselves in the marketplace and provide high quality, USDA certified organic products to the end consumer."

Read the article

Food recall: Sprouts from Specialty Farms linked to Listeria affects six states

"Do you eat alfalfa sprouts? Another sprout recall has been announced, this time from Specialty Farms. Some recalled sprouts have recently tested positive for Listeria Monocytogenes.

These recalled sprouts were sold and distributed in stores in New York, Connecticut, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Vermont and Pennsylvania. They were sold in 4 ounce plastic containers with a "sell by date of 7/26/2010". Consumers should check packaging for the names Organic Alfalfa Sprouts Blend and upc number 8192400108 or Organic Sprout Salad with the upc number 8192400024. No other Specialty Farms products are involved in this recall."

Read the article

realbuzz.com's Top 10 Tips to get Your Kids to Eat Healthily

"LONDON, July 21, 2010 /PRNewswire/ -- Helping your children to develop healthy eating habits is all down to the way in which you approach food as they learn from you as parents and responsible people. It is not always easy to get them to eat food that is good for them, but at realbuzz.com we've come up with our top 10 tips, to help you out and remind you what's good and what's not!
Children need vital vitamins and nutrients to grow - and during the holidays giving them healthy food and healthy snacks will give them the boundless energy to enjoy all the entertainment you have lined up for them."

Read the article

New Leaf Brands Expands Distribution With Whole Foods Market(R)

"New Leaf Brands, Inc. (NLEF 0.27, -0.02, -6.90%) ("Company"), a provider of great tasting, all natural, healthy beverages, today announced the expansion of their distribution with Whole Foods Market(R) through 42 additional Southern Pacific division stores.

Whole Foods Market is the world's largest retailer of natural and organic foods with more than 270 stores throughout North America and the United Kingdom. The company has authorized distribution of New Leaf's unique tea flavors sweetened with 100% organic cane sugar, in 42 additional stores in the Southern Pacific division which includes Southern California, Arizona, Nevada and Hawaii. New Leaf is already available in Whole Foods' Mid-Atlantic, Northeast, and Rocky Mountain Division stores."

Read the article

Truly Organic Baking Wins 2010 sofi™ Gold Award for Outstanding USDA Organic Product From the National Association for the Specialty Food Trade

"SAN JOSE, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Truly Organic Baking’s Bakers Basics™ Organic Banana Bread Mix was named Outstanding USDA Organic Product of 2010 in the 38th Annual sofi™ Awards from the National Association for the Specialty Food Trade, Inc. The sofi™ Awards recognize the best in specialty food and beverages and are a coveted industry honor. “sofi” stands for Specialty Outstanding Food Innovation.

Truly Organic Baking was one of 140 Silver Finalists selected by a national panel of specialty food experts from a record 2,257 contenders this year. The winners were announced at a red-carpet ceremony June 28 at the 56th Summer Fancy Food Show in New York City. Noted Executive chef Dan Barber presented Kari Ani Shiozawa, Founder & CEO of Truly Organic Baking, with her sofi™ Gold Award, a chef statue."

Read the article

Apple Rush Receives $100,000 in Funding to Introduce Newly Designed Organic Beverage Line

"GLENVIEW, Ill., Jul 21, 2010 (GlobeNewswire via COMTEX) -- Apple Rush Co., Inc. (Pink Sheets:APRU) is pleased to announce that the Company has received $100,000 through a joint venture agreement with Stealth Funding, LLC for the purchase of new inventory with no dilution to its existing shareholders. Through this joint venture agreement, Apple Rush has acquired a fifty percent equity position of Apple Rush II, LLC. Stealth Funding has invested $100,000 in return for its fifty percent equity position in the joint venture company. The Company's use of funds includes but is not limited to an August production run, marketing activities, newly designed logo/packaging and the renewal of its organic certification "

Read the article

Dagoba Organic Chocolate Brings the Exotic Essence of Chai to the Drinking Chocolate Experience

"HERSHEY, Pa., July 20 /PRNewswire/ -- Dagoba Organic Chocolate releases the first-ever organic Chai Drinking Chocolate, giving consumers an indulgent new way to enjoy chai that is 100% organic and fair-trade certified. Dagoba® Chai Drinking Chocolate is made with the finest organic cacao powder, bits of pure, unsweetened dark chocolate, cane sugar, crystallized ginger and essence of chai.

Chai has long been a popular tea-based beverage throughout India and South Asia with increased inclusion on the menus of coffee houses and beverage bars across the United States. The depth and complexity of Dagoba Chai Drinking Chocolate gives consumers a most authentic way to enjoy both Dagoba chocolate and the essence of chai – a blend of aromatic Indian spices and herbs, typically including cardamom, cinnamon, ginger, star anise, peppercorn, and cloves."

Read the article

Whole Foods’ stock can leave sour taste in investors’ mouths

"Legendary investor Peter Lynch, in his many investment speeches and books, always encouraged people to “buy what you know.” His reputation was built on the idea that he would go to a shopping mall, see a lot of activity or spot some new trend at a store, and come home with a new investment in the bag.

If only it was that easy. Lynch, of course, came home to a team of analysts, and the potential to meet with management and gauge their abilities firsthand and more. All the average person comes home with is some good will for the store and a bag full of anything from groceries to luxury items."

Read the article

Lifeway Foods Introduces New 3.5-oz. 'BioKefir' Shots: To Your Health!

"MORTON GROVE, Ill., July 20 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Lifeway Foods, Inc., (Nasdaq: LWAY), the leading U.S. supplier of healthy Kefir beverages, today announced the launch of new probiotic 3.5-oz. Lifeway BioKefir™ shots specifically designed to support immunity, heart health and digestion. Sold in four-packs with just 60 calories each, the new super-powered Kefir drinks will be available in five flavors with more than 20 billion units of live and active probiotic activity – twice the amount in other regular Kefir and similar yogurt varieties."

Read the article

For FarmVille Players, a Crop From a Real Organic Farm

"OPERATING a successful farm is a notion that is thriving in the virtual world. Some 20 million people check into FarmVille daily to plow pretend fields or buy, plant and harvest crops on online farms.

Now Zynga Game Network, the social network game’s creator, is linking FarmVille’s vast pool of players to retailers as diverse as 7-Eleven stores and the organic food company Cascadian Farm."

Read the article

EU backs more organic food production

"Despite an increase in the amount of land farming organic produce within the European Union – about 4.3 per cent of total land cultivated – the organic sector makes up a mere two per cent of total food expenditure of EU consumers and even less among the union’s new members.

However, there are high percentages of organic farmland in Austria, Sweden, Estonia, the Czech Republic and Latvia. In all about 197,000 farms are involved in organic food production."

Read the article

Two Kucinich Amendments Strengthen ‘Improving Nutrition for America’s Children Act’

"WASHINGTON - July 15 - Congressman Dennis Kucinich (D-OH) today secured two victories during consideration of H.R. 5504 the Improving Nutrition for America's Children Act in the Education and Labor Committee that will strengthen the bill and protect future generations. The first amendment will establish a trial program to increase organic foods in school meals. The second amendment will reduce the consumption by pregnant women and children of foods that have high levels of mercury.

The first amendment, jointly sponsored by Kucinich and Congresswoman Lynn Woolsey (D-CA), will provide competitive grants to schools who wish to increase the amount of organic food offerings in the school lunch program."

Read the article

Natural, Organic Pet Products Strengthen Market Position

"ROCKVILLE, Md.—Natural pet products continue to edge into mainstream channels while expanding from their pet food base into non-food pet supplies, according to market research publisher Packaged Facts’ recently released “Natural, Organic and Eco-Friendly Pet Products in the U.S., 3rd Edition” report.

The report focuses on dog and cat pet food and non-food pet supplies specifically positioned as natural or organic. The report groups the products into two classifications—pet food and non-food pet supplies. The report also examines related trends and issues including sustainability, corporate responsibility, and other “ethical” initiatives such as fair trade and support of family farms."

Read the article

Scientists, consumers groups, and organic advocates fight for GMO labeling on food products

"The Supreme Court recently upheld a ban on Monsanto's genetically modified alfalfa. The U.S. Department of Agriculture was ordered to perform an adequate environmental impact study before planting could continue, something it failed to do when it allowed Monsanto to commercialize the crop in 2007.

Now, the agency is once again bucking consumers' concerns regarding GMOs. In collusion with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the USDA is opting to ban the labeling of GMO ingredients in American food products. The federal government's official position on genetically modified (aka GM or GE) organisms is that there is no measurable difference between them and the wholefoods they seek to replace. Pandering to the Codex Alimentarius Committee, the new policy is in line with Codex Treaty's rule that no member nation should be able to require mandatory GMO labeling on foods."

Read the article

Fast Food World: KFC Conquers China, While Subway Grows an Organic Garden in Japan

"..In Japan, however, the brand has been forced to refocus its marketing around a new health-conscious menu, featuring oven-roasted chicken and, instead of french fries, sides of salad and tea. Ironic, says Japan Times, considering KFC is currently hawking the Double Down in the U.S. But healthy seems to work well in Japan, where Subway, for example, has successfully become synonymous with vegetables (its slogan is, "Put vegetables into every day.") On July 6, the sandwich chain opened the Yasai Lab Marunouchi Building in Tokyo, which is growing organic hydroponic vegetables onsite. Produce from the garden will be used in the shop starting in October."

Read the article

Wyoming tribe's beef deal with Whole Foods ends

"DENVER — A deal for the Northern Arapaho Tribe in Wyoming to sell organic, grass-fed beef to Whole Foods Market Inc. has fallen through, a beef distributor said Wednesday.
Panorama Meats Inc., which bought the beef from the tribe and sold it to Whole Foods, said the agreement ended in March when tribal officials asked for a 29 percent price increase.
"That's a heck of a jump in one fell swoop," said Mack Graves, CEO of Vina, Calif.-based Panorama.
Graves said the increase was more than Whole Foods wanted to pay."

Read the article

Arvind Mills set to launch organic food

"PUNE: Ahmedabad-based Arvind Mills is best known as the world’s third largest denim producer and as a maker of readymades in the domestic market. It is now launching the country’s first branded organic staple food range.

“Arvind Mills is in the process of collaborating with retail chain Spencer’s Retail to market its range of organic food,” said a senior official of the company. He added that the brand name will not be Arvind nor will it be co-branded with the retailer. "

Read the article

Calif. aims to boost enforcement of organic rules

"SACRAMENTO, Calif. — It's been barely a year since Luis Miranda began selling organic produce at farmers markets near his home in California's Central Valley, but he's already seen every trick in the book.
Scanning the stands recently at a market in downtown Sacramento, Miranda pointed out a half-dozen examples of misleading signs and labels. One of the most common tricks is posting a banner with the California Certified Farmers' Markets seal — which closely resembles the marks bestowed by state-recognized organic certifiers, but means only that the produce was grown by the farmer selling it."

Read the article

Demand for organic produce creates opportunity for exporters

"Before 2005, Paully Appea-Kubi was a local producer of dried pineapple, mango and papaya for the domestic market. Attending a Fancy Food Show with the Trade Hub in New York, U.S.’s largest speciality food and beverage marketplace revolutionized her business strategy. “I realized that almost everybody was asking for organic products,” said Appea-Kubi, whose company, Ebenut, is based in Accra, Ghana. “So I thought, ‘If I have the opportunity, I will go in for the certification so I will also be able to supply the U.S. market.”"

Read the article

OTA: Dietary Guidelines Need to Take Stronger Stand on Organic Foods

"WASHINGTON, July 8 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Organic Trade Association (OTA) today called on the U.S. Departments of Agriculture (USDA) and Health & Human Services (HHS) to encourage those seeking to minimize their exposure to toxic chemicals to look for the USDA Organic label wherever they shop by revising the draft Dietary Guidelines for Americans 2010.

In oral testimony at a hearing conducted by the Advisory Committee preparing the latest version of the guidelines, OTA's Executive Director and CEO Christine Bushway pointed out serious concerns with statements in Resource 3 entitled "Conventional and Organically Produced Foods." For one, although the Dietary Guidelines statement on organic foods references only limited research on nutrient density, it draws the broad conclusion that "Our current understanding of conventional and organically produced foods indicate that their nutritional value and contributions to human health are similar.""

Read the article

Organic food labels not always upfront about country-of-origin

"OTTAWA — Consumers could be forgiven for assuming Florida’s Natural Pocket Fruit Nuggets are made in the sunshine state.

Drawn in by the giant orange and berries on the cover and the organic stamp of approval from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Lucy Watson of Ottawa did just that when she recently picked up the snack for her two young children."

Read the article

Basictea.com Introduces New Line of Organic Herbs, Spices & Seasonings

"New York, NY (PRWEB) July 8, 2010 -- Online tea retailer, Basictea.com has introduced a new line of organic spices & culinary seasonings to their growing inventory of organic food & herbal products. These new spices will be available in individual 3.5 oz. packages as well as in larger bulk 8 oz. packages.

According to basictea.com founder Mark Greenberg, “Our artisan spices and seasoning blends are crafted from the finest organic botanicals and can elevate simple dishes to levels of exquisite cuisine. Our blends and seasonings are an easy way to add authentic regional flavor and taste to you meats, poultry, fish & vegetables. And in these tough economic times, our low price points really aim to please the palate without emptying the wallet.”

Read the article

Case Study: Can Honest Tea Say No to Coke?

"HONEST TEA makes juices and teas with natural sweeteners, including the pouch drinks Honest Kids. In early 2008, Coca-Cola took a 40 percent interest in the Bethesda, Md.-based company, which had revenue of $47 million last year. Coke has an option to buy the whole company next year.

THE CHALLENGE Maintaining Honest Tea’s integrity while adjusting to a new relationship with a financial backer that has a different way of doing business.

THE BACKGROUND Seth Goldman, now 44, left a mutual fund job in 1998 convinced that he could develop a wholesome alternative to sugary drinks that never seemed to quench his thirst. He joined forces with Barry Nalebuff, a professor he knew from the Yale School of Management, to start Honest Tea."

Read the article

Survey Says: Moms Looking for More Guidance on Organic Deli Meat

"BRIDGEWATER, N.J., July 8 /PRNewswire/ -- Summer is in full swing, and with it, picnics and backyard barbecues are heating up – meaning more sandwiches and hot dogs. A new survey released by Applegate Farms, a leading producer of natural and organic meats and cheeses, finds that 45 percent of moms would buy more organic deli meats for their kids if they better understood the benefits.

"So many people are confused when it comes to what different terms like organic, conventional or natural mean," says Amy Marlow, MPH, RD. The survey found that 36 percent of moms were not sure, or thought that organic and natural mean the same thing on a deli meat label."

Read the article

Natural Foodie: Helping overcome the price barrier of organic foods

"We hear it all the time: Eating organic local food is too expensive.

For many people who feel this way, it's really a statement about priorities. Some of us just value things like smart phones, vacations, concert tickets or flat-screen TVs more than wholesome meals.

But for other folks, the choice isn't between Kindles and kale. Rather, it involves much more difficult trade-offs between paying rent and buying medicine or putting nutritious food on the table."

Read the article

Converted Organics Strengthens Green Tech Portfolio With Proposed Acquisition of Vertical Farming Pioneer TerraSphere System

"BOSTON, Jul 7, 2010 (GlobeNewswire via COMTEX) -- Converted Organics Inc. (COIN 0.53, -0.01, -1.19%) announced today that it has entered into an agreement to acquire TerraSphere Systems, a Massachusetts LLC and a rapidly growing pioneer in the vertical farming market. Completion of the $26 million all stock transaction would be the Company's largest acquisition to-date and is subject to the approval of Converted Organics' shareholders."

Read the article

Organic farming area grows to 10.5 lakh hectares: Pawar

"NEW DELHI: Area under organic farming in India has risen to 10.5 lakh hectares in last six years.

Divulging this to the Parliamentary Consultative Committee on agriculture here, Food and Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar said "In India, as against 42,000 hectares under certified organic farming during 2003-04, initial estimates for 2009-10 indicate that organic agriculture under certification has grown to 10.5 lakh hectares." "

Read the article

HAPPYBABY Debuts Gluten-Free Varieties of Popular HAPPYBABYPUFFS(R) Line

"NEW YORK, July 6 /PRNewswire/ -- The first melt-in-your-mouth organic finger foods have gone gluten-free! HAPPYBABY®— the nation's leading premium organic baby and toddler food brand—has added two gluten-free varieties to its popular organic HAPPYBABYPUFFS line. Perfect for helping babies hone tactility and learn self-feeding, these products are the first and only gluten-free puffs on the market.

Available in supermarkets in late summer 2010, these new gluten-free varieties of organic HAPPYBABYPUFFS are rich in vitamin D, a critical nutrient for infants, and are the only baby snacks with added vitamin B and calcium. They contain half the sugar of similar products from other leading brands and are free of artificial coloring, artificial flavors, and GMOs, so parents can feel confident they are giving their children delicious and nutritious functional foods."

Read the article

F.D.A. Trying to Curb Overuse of Antibiotics in Agriculture

"The use of antibiotics has been common in the meat industry for a long time, not only to treat sick farm animals or to protect them from diseases, but also to foster their growth. It seems that small doses of antibiotics administered daily makes the animals gain weight faster. According to a recent report in the New York Times (6/29/2010), 70 percent of the antibiotics used in agriculture are simply for the promotion of animal growth, not to fight illnesses.

While it is not altogether clear why exactly antibiotics, like tetracycline, have this growth-enhancing effect, there is speculation that the drugs kill the natural flora in the animals' intestines and, therefore, allow for more efficient absorption of their feed. For an industry that measures profits in miniscule amounts, any weight gain is a welcome bonus."

Read the article

Organic farmers probed by state over free labor

"Under normal circumstances, San Anselmo vegetable grower Jerome Draper doesn't have - or need - a lot of help. His father and mother are usually enough to gather up the tomatoes and other crops Draper raises on his one-acre organic farm.
"I pay my dad $1 a year, and he splits it with my mom," Draper said.

Occasionally, however, Draper receives a visit from his sister, his niece and his nephew, who pitch in with a few odd chores around the farm. Draper doesn't pay those relatives, though he does provide his sister with vegetables to feed her family.

That decision earned Draper a $1,050 fine last month from the state Division of Labor Standards Enforcement."

Read the article

Consumers Can Choose Organic Products to Avoid Synthetic Food Dyes

"In response to a call from the Center for Science in the Public Interest (CSPI) to ban synthetic dyes to color foods, the Organic Trade Association (OTA) today reminded consumers that they can already avoid such dyes in the marketplace by choosing to purchase organic foods.

CSPI's latest report entitled "Food Dyes: A Rainbow of Risks" outlines health concerns posed by the nine currently approved dyes used on conventionally produced foods According to CSPI, the dyes present "a rainbow of risks," including allergic reactions, hyperactivity, and even cancer."

Read the article

Rori’s Organic Creamery Is One Cool Alternative for Ice Cream Lovers

"Rori Trovato gives organic ice cream a whole new meaning for those who delve into her sweet and borderline sinful new flavors. Opening the first organic creamery in Santa Barbara, Trovato hopes to give consumers the freshest products possible.

“Ice cream makes people happy,” Trovato said. “How fun is that?"

Read the article

Led By Leahy And DeFazio, 56 Members Of House And Senate Ask USDA To Keep Rules On Genetically Engineered Alfalfa

"WASHINGTON – Sen. Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.) and Rep. Peter DeFazio (D-Ore.), joined by 49 other representatives and five other senators, are asking U.S. Department of Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack to retain the regulated status of genetically engineered (GE) alfalfa. Their letter comes in response to a USDA Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) finding “no significant impact” from the use of genetically modified versions of the crop.

Leahy and DeFazio co-authored legislation to create the national organic standards and labeling program."

Read the article

Healthy, Tasty And Unusual At The Fancy Food Show

"There used to be a divide between “fancy food” and “health food.” At this year’s Fancy Food Show, which ends its three-day run at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center on Tuesday, it’s evident that the two categories have seamlessly merged. The words most commonly seen were organic, vegan, whole grain, fair trade, anti-oxidant and gluten-free.

“Judging from this show you’d think the whole world had celiac disease,” said Jennifer Lea Cohan, a publicist who works with the National Association for the Specialty Food Trade, which runs the show."

Read the article

Organic food “Euro-Leaf” label comes into force tomorrow

"New EU rules on organic food labelling including the requirement to display the new EU organic logo, enter into force tomorrow.

The so-called “Euro-Leaf” will now be obligatory on pre-packaged organic food products that have been produced in any of EU Member States and meet the necessary standards. Other private, regional or national logos will continue to appear alongside the EU label.

The logo stays optional for non-packed and imported organic products. In addition to the logo, the new labelling rules also include the compulsory indications of place of farming of the products' ingredients and code number of the body that had been in charge of the controls. "

Read the article