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Interview: Organic Consumers Association's Ronnie Cummins tells the truth about organic milk that isn't Mike Adams, the Health Ranger See article keywords and concepts

To gain more insight on the details of this emerging battle over organic standards, NewsTarget editor Mike Adams sat down with Ronnie Cummins of the organic consumers association for some straight talk on organic milk. What follows is the full interview. Mike: I am here today talking with Ronnie Cummins, National Director of the organic consumers association. That is at www.OrganicConsumers.org. What's the overview of the situation on organic milk, Ronnie?

They have been doing this for four years, and there have been complaints from the organic consumers association and organic farmers all over the country. The U.S. Department of Agriculture has completely ignored these complaints for four years. However, now this controversy has reached such a state, with the mass media covering it and retail stores across the country starting to drop Horizon and Aurora Organic, that the USDA is finally making noises that they will clear up this situation and promulgate federal regulations that actually require the animals to be pastured.

Mike: I am here today talking with Ronnie Cummins, National Director of the organic consumers association. That is at www.OrganicConsumers.org. What's the overview of the situation on organic milk, Ronnie? Ronnie: Well, the good news is, there is such a huge demand for organic products across the United States and North America that there is a serious shortage of supply. One of the types of products that are in serious short supply is organic milk. This is already more than a $1-billion-a-year industry in the United States, out of the $15 billion in organic food sales last year.

The bad news is that the market leader, Horizon Organic, and their junior partner, Aurora Organic, are flagrantly violating organic standards to the point where we, the organic consumers association, had to call for a boycott. We have never called for a boycott against an organic product before.

The situation has become so alarming that the organic consumers association ultimately called for a boycott, and many knowledgeable consumers are now avoiding the Horizon brand entirely. The organic milk controversy extends to organic soy milk as well. Horizon Organic's parent company, Dean Foods, also bought out Silk, the leading organic soy milk brand in the United States. Dean Foods has pushed for lower organic standards in the United States and to allow industrial-style production to be called "organic.

According to the organic consumers association, half of Horizon's "organic" milk today comes from what can only be considered "factory" dairy feedlots -- and much of Aurora's organic milk does as well. Rather than buy organic calves that have been raised from birth on organic farms, these companies seemed to have discovered it's cheaper to buy conventional calves that have been raised on conventional farms, install them in factory feedlots, then milk them and call it organic.

Organic Consumers Association's Ronnie Cummings discusses corporate greed and organic milk Mike Adams, the Health Ranger See article keywords and concepts

REPPED: Mike: I am here today talking with Ronnie Cummings, National Director of the organic consumers association. That is at www.OrganicConsumers.org. We are going to talk today about organic milk. So what is the overview of this situation, Ronnie? Ronnie: Well, the good news is, there is such a huge demand for organic products across the United States and North America that there is a serious shortage of supply. One of the types of products that are in serious short supply is organic milk.

They have been doing this for four years, and there have been complaints from the organic consumers association and organic farmers all over the country. The U.S. Department of Agriculture has completely ignored these complaints for four years. However, now this controversy has reached such a state with the mass media covering it and retail stores across the country starting to drop Horizon and Aurora Organic, that the USDA is finally making noises that they will clear up this situation and promulgate federal regulations that actually require the animals to be pastured.

The bad news is that the market leader, Horizon Organic, and their junior partner, Aurora Organic, are flagrantly violating organic standards to the point where we, the organic consumers association, had to call for a boycott. We have never called for a boycott against an organic product before.

Aurora Organic Dairy Corporation hit by class action lawsuits over "organic" milk labels Mike Adams, the Health Ranger See article keywords and concepts

Support the organic consumers association and the Cornucopia Institute! Boycott Aurora's "organic" milk from Wal-Mart, Costco, Safeway, Wild Oats and other retailers. Pester the USDA with concerned letters and refuse to be suckered by a wealthy dairy corporation that has now made the organic consumers association its enemy. One final question: If Aurora really cared about being organic, why wouldn't they simply agree to meet the standards described by the OCA? Why does Aurora send in the legal team instead of upgrading its operations in a way that would earn the goodwill of the OCA?

In the last few weeks, Aurora Dairy threatened to sue the Cornucopia Institute and organic consumers association for their continued publicizing of Aurora's reported failures to meet organic standards. Ronnie Cummins of the organic consumers association refused to back down, insisting on holding his ground on this issue and rallying readers for financial support to defend the OCA against Aurora's potential lawsuit.

As the organic consumers association explains: In a mind-twisting manipulation of logic, the new acting Secretary of Agriculture, Chuck Connors, a notorious cheerleader for biotech and corporate agribusiness, announced last week that this issue, regarding Aurora's violation of the USDA National Organic Standards, falls outside the scope of the USDA National Organic Standards. "We believe that there are tens of thousands of consumers across the United States who have been directly impacted by Aurora's practices," said Ronnie Cummins of the organic consumers association.

Food Pets Die For: Shocking Facts About Pet Food Ann N. Martin See book keywords and concepts

A number of nonprofit organizations, including the Public Citizen, Farm Sanctuary, and organic consumers association, believe that the United States is leaving itself wide open for a BSE epidemic. Academics such as Steven Best, PhD, Associate Professor of Philosophy and Humanities at the University of Texas, and Michael Greger, MD, agree with this assessment. According to an article in The Wall Street Journal, there should be concern over the animal protein that has been imported from the United Kingdom into the United States between 1998 and December 2000.

Sugar Shock!: How Sweets and Simple Carbs Can Derail Your Life-- and How YouCan Get Back on Track Connie Bennett, C.H.H.C. with Stephen T. Sinatra, M.D. See book keywords and concepts

Here are some compelling reasons to switch to organic foods, thanks to the Organic Trade Association (OTA) and the organic consumers association (OCA): • Organic foods are more nutritious. Mounting evidence shows that organically grown fruits, vegetables, and grains contain more vitamin C, iron, magnesium, and phosphorus than their nonorganic counterparts. Since sugar-loaded junk foods strip our bodies of such nutrients, we benefit from these extra vitamins and minerals. * Organic foods are safer.

Not Just a Pretty Face: The Ugly Side of the Beauty Industry Stacy Malkan See book keywords and concepts

The ideal standards would "give the consumer what the consumer thinks they're paying for, and at the same time support family farmers by encouraging more businesses to source organic," explained Craig Minnowa, an environmental scientist with the organic consumers association. Negotiations among interested parties have been ongoing, and a volunteer task force is close to recommending guidelines for a new organic seal for personal care products, which will likely allow for the use of some synthetic chemicals that meet specific criteria.

The future of food: Why GM crops threaten the sustainability of the human race (opinion) Mike Adams, the Health Ranger See article keywords and concepts

Click here to read news about Monsanto's terminator gene at the organic consumers association. You can also follow the news on this topic at BanTerminator.org. If you buy seedless watermelons, or seedless grapes, or GM soy products, you're already supporting the corporations that are altering the food supply. Seedless grapes are not natural, and they remove the very part of the grape that contains powerful cardiovascular medicine. Have you ever heard of the nutritional supplement called grape seed extract? Guess where it comes from? ... Grape seeds, of course.

NewsTarget readers making waves across the natural health, natural living markets (opinion) Mike Adams, the Health Ranger See article keywords and concepts

It's also the people who read Ronnie Cummin's work over at the organic consumers association (www.OrganicConsumers.org) or who devour the outstanding research projects at the Environmental Working Group (www.EWG.org). There's excellent work being done at Commercial Alert (www.CommercialAlert.org) and the Center for Science in the Public Interest (www.CSPInet.org). I'm sure there are many more that deserve to be listed here, too.

Aurora Organic Dairy Corporation hit by class action lawsuits over "organic" milk labels Mike Adams, the Health Ranger See article keywords and concepts

We believe that there are tens of thousands of consumers across the United States who have been directly impacted by Aurora's practices," said Ronnie Cummins of the organic consumers association. "We are pleased to see this legal action. We will do what we can to ensure that organic continues to mean organic and that consumers get exactly that when they are paying premium prices for organic food." The Health Ranger's view In my view, this case is a classic David vs.

Genetic Roulette: The Documented Health Risks of Genetically Engineered Foods Jeffrey M. Smith See book keywords and concepts

The transformation was triggered by organizations such as the Oregon Physicians for Social Responsibility, organic consumers association, Center for Food Safety, National Family Farm Coalition, and Food and Water Watch. By educating consumers about the health risks of the drug, it turned the hormone into a marketing liability. Similar education efforts in the United States will likely do the same to GM food crops.

Consumer groups join forces to reverse pasteurization ruling for raw almonds Mike Adams, the Health Ranger See article keywords and concepts

Both the organic consumers association (www.OrganicConsumers.org) and the Cornucopia Institute (www.Cornucopia.org) have strongly opposed this almond pasteurization requirement. Today, the Health Freedom Foundation (www.HealthFreedom.net) announced a grassroots consumer action campaign to petition the USDA to suspend these almond pasteurization rules for 180 days. NewsTarget supports this petition and urges all American consumers to support this 180-day suspension of the killing of California almonds by clicking HERE to send an online message to your legislative representatives in Washington.

Safe Trip to Eden: Ten Steps to Save Planet Earth from the Global Warming Meltdown David Steinman See book keywords and concepts

But, although the company was selected to be part of the Green 100, the organic consumers association warned the company's use of floral waters was literally diluting the integrity of what it means to be organic. Part of the North Castle holding company whose partners include Roy Disney, Avalon Organics, nonetheless, has a chance to be a real leader if it does the right thing. www. avalonorganics .

Aurora Organic Dairy Corporation hit by class action lawsuits over "organic" milk labels Mike Adams, the Health Ranger See article keywords and concepts

Ronnie Cummins of the organic consumers association refused to back down, insisting on holding his ground on this issue and rallying readers for financial support to defend the OCA against Aurora's potential lawsuit. In a press release distributed today, Aurora essentially declared it had no idea what the OCA and Cornucopia Institute were talking about and said that, "There is absolutely no basis for claims we defrauded consumers by selling milk that isn't organic -- none whatsoever. Our milk has always been organic.

Innovative dried aloe vera gel product now available from Good Cause Wellness Mike Adams, the Health Ranger See article keywords and concepts

Good Cause Wellness donates 10% of its revenues to non-profit organizations and is a sponsor of the organic consumers association (one of my favorite pro-consumer organizations, led by Ronnie Cummins, see it at www.OrganicConsumers.org ). How to use aloe vera gel Using aloe vera gel flakes is easy. Here's what to do: Blend them into any smoothie or superfood drink. Add to your water bottle, shake it up, and enjoy! Stir in with your other favorite beverages: tea, sports drinks, etc. (it's not so good with coffee, however).

Consumer alert: Popular air fresheners found to contain toxic chemical Mike Adams, the Health Ranger See article keywords and concepts

Sites like NewsTarget and the organic consumers association (www.OrganicConsumers.org) are, of course, trying to do something about this by educating consumers. We've even gone out of our way to acquire thousands of kilograms of natural laundry detergent to replace the toxic, brand-name detergents sold in stores (watch for an announcement in the next two days, or click here to see our new soap nuts product).

Aurora Organic Dairy Corporation hit by class action lawsuits over "organic" milk labels Mike Adams, the Health Ranger See article keywords and concepts

Pester the USDA with concerned letters and refuse to be suckered by a wealthy dairy corporation that has now made the organic consumers association its enemy. One final question: If Aurora really cared about being organic, why wouldn't they simply agree to meet the standards described by the OCA? Why does Aurora send in the legal team instead of upgrading its operations in a way that would earn the goodwill of the OCA? There is nothing, in my opinion, being asked by the OCA that isn't reasonable. But it appears that Aurora has no intention of changing its ways.

Behind the scenes at Natural Products Expo West - A "brutally honest" Health Ranger Review Mike Adams, the Health Ranger See article keywords and concepts

It's the same company now being boycotted by the organic consumers association (www.OrganicConsumers.org) for false labeling. Every time I asked a vendor, "What do you think about the integrity of the show sponsors?" I got a huge laugh. Everybody on the show floor knew the top sponsors were a joke. Of course, there were some decent sponsors like Larabar, but they weren't the top-level sponsors with the deepest pockets and greatest visibility. Wow, look at all these crap products!

The top ten things food companies don't want you to know Mike Adams, the Health Ranger See article keywords and concepts

Even organic milk is now under fire as the organic consumers association says Horizon milk products are falsely labeled as organic. See Horizon milk, Wild Oats named in consumer boycott of "false" organic products. (The solution to all this? Drink raw almond milk instead. Make it yourself with a Vitamix, water and a nut milk bag.) 9. Most grocery products that make loud health claims on their packaging are, in reality, nutritionally worthless (like meal replacement shakes, instant chocolate milk, etc.).

The awakening of the public and the coming overthrow of evil Mike Adams, the Health Ranger See article keywords and concepts

Trust the smaller, independent organizations like PR Watch, Commercial Alert, the organic consumers association, the Government Accountability Project and others. What you do is your own business, but if you want to be engaged in real solutions, turn off your television. Disconnect from cable and reconnect to books and informative Internet sites. Buy organic produce and avoid processed foods. Stop spending money on products made by unethical corporations. (Vote with your dollars.) Demand accountability from your elected officials and representatives (including Judges).

What's In Your Milk?: An Exposé of Industry and Government Cover-Up on the Dangers of the Genetically Engineered (rBGH) Milk You're Drinking Samuel S. Epstein, M.D. See book keywords and concepts

Chairman Cancer Prevention Coalition Threatens Public Health Joint Press Release with Ronnie Cummins, National Director, organic consumers association February 4, 2005 Last month, the Hudson Institute's agribusiness-funded Center for Global Food Issues launched an aggressive "Milk is Milk" campaign to assure consumers that there is no difference between natural milk and that from cows injected with Monsanto's genetically-engineered or recombinant Bovine Growth Hormone (rBGH) to increase milk production and profitability.

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ABOUT THE CREATOR OF NATURALPEDIA: Mike Adams, the creator of this NaturalNews Naturalpedia, is the editor of NaturalNews.com, the internet's top natural health news site, creator of the Honest Food Guide (www.HonestFoodGuide.org), a free downloadable consumer food guide based on natural health principles, author of Grocery Warning, The 7 Laws of Nutrition, Natural Health Solutions, and many other books available at www.TruthPublishing.com, creator of the earth-friendly EcoLEDs company (www.EcoLEDs.com) that manufactures energy-efficient LED lighting products, founder of Arial Software (www.ArialSoftware.com), a permission e-mail technology company, creator of the CounterThink Cartoon series (www.NaturalNews.com/index-cartoons.html) and author of over 1,500 articles, interviews, special reports and reference guides available at www.NaturalNews.com. Adams' personal philosophy and health statistics are available at www.HealthRanger.org.