From Organic Consumer's Association Organic Bytes newsletter, July 2006 - Horizon Dairy, Pesticides & Parkinsons, Mad Cow Disease, GE Plums and Food Labelling Laws

Boycott of Horizon Dairy Generating National Publicity

There's a growing backlash by organic consumers against industrial scale dairy feedlots, who misleadingly label their products as "USDA Organic," even though the cows have little or no access to pasture, and most have been imported from conventional dairies, where they were weaned on blood, injected with hormones and antibiotics, and fed genetically engineered grains and slaughterhouse waste.
Read the article and Boycott Horizon

Pesticides Increase Risk of Parkinson's Disease

A new Harvard study links pesticide exposure to a 70% increase in Parkinson's disease. Occupation wasn't a risk factor, as farm workers and everyday home bug-sprayers all had the same increased risk. The study didn't find increased risk with any specific pesticides, but in overall general use of pesticides.
More About Pesticides and Parkinsons

Study Says Mad Cow Epidemic May Be Incubating In Thousands of People

A new study suggests that human Mad Cow Disease may not peak for several decades. During that time, many thousands of beef eaters and people receiving tainted blood transfusions could die. Researchers suspect suspect the incubation period could be over 40 years for Mad Cow Disease, because it's transmitted between species, from cows to humans.
More About Mad Cow Disease Research

Stop Genetically Engineered Plum Trees

The USDA is accepting public comments on commercial planting of a genetically engineered plum tree, resistant to the Honey Sweet Pox Potyvirus, which doesn't even exist in the United States. This would be the first widely released genetically engineered (GE) tree in the US mainland, paving the way for GE peaches, cherries, and apricots. GE tree pollen can drift for several miles, contaminating organic crops and indigenous trees.
Learn More and Take Action

State Food Safety Labelling Laws Under Attack

The House of Representatives has passed a controversial "national food uniformity" labeling law that would take away local government and states' regulation of food safety labels. California and other states presently require labels on foods that are likely to cause cancer, birth defects, allergic reactions, or mercury poisoning. The new national law lowers the bar on food safety by overturning hundreds of state food safety laws and regulations. The bill now goes to the Senate.
Learn More and Take Action

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