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

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.

Federal investigators have already found Aurora in violation of organic standards, according to the Cornucopia Institute, and the USDA has warned Aurora over multiple "willful" violations of organic standards. "Aurora was taking advantage of the consumer's good will in the marketplace toward organics, and the USDA has allowed this scofflaw-corporation to continue to operate," said Mark Kastel of the Cornucopia Institute, which has been following Aurora's activities for several years and first alerted the USDA to Aurora's practices in 2005.

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

It would not cost that much money, and this way we could still have organic standards that were real, animals treated humanely and not damage the environment. Of course, we have not even mentioned that one of the reasons you want organic animals to be outdoors and pastured is because the quality of the meat and milk is much higher if the animals are raised naturally on grass. The other organic requirements mean that the end product is going to be healthier as well. They are not going to have antibiotic residues or genetically engineered hormones.

The 150 Healthiest Foods on Earth: The Surprising, Unbiased Truth About What You Should Eat and Why Jonny Bowden, Ph.D., C.N.S. See book keywords and concepts

Before a product can be labeled "organic," a government-approved certifier inspects the farm where the food is grown to make sure the farmer is following all the rules necessary to meet USDA organic standards. Companies that handle or process organic food before it gets to your local supermarket or restaurant must be certified, too But what does that really tell us? After all, you can now get some version of "organic" crispy choco-nutty cereal, and my local health food store is filled with "organic soda." More specifically, when it comes to meat and poultry, what does organic really mean?

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

And that's why we have an orphanage we help in China, an orphanage in Haiti, freshwater wells in Ghana; we help the Chiapas Indians with schools; and David our president is taking on the federal government and fighting for legalized industrial hemp and organic standards — all to help the Earth." If ever a company wore its values right on its sleeve, Dr. Bronner's Magic Soap is it. The company was founded by an eccentric German immigrant who spent his life on a modern-day Christian crusade. "He sold soap as a way to distribute the philosophy on the label," Ralph explained.

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

The good news is, almost all the organic farmers in the country are actually practicing real organic standards. 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.

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

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.

Well, now that Dean Foods has bought out Silk, they are starting to import cheap, so-called organic soybeans from China, where the workers are treated like slaves and organic standards are dubious. Or, they are importing soybeans from Brazil where there is a huge uproar over the fact that people are whacking down the Amazon - the lungs of the planet - in order to plant export crops, specifically soybeans, to export.

We have a whole section of our website called "Safeguard organic standards," where you can take action … send a message to what we are calling the "Shameless Seven." These are the large corporations trying to defraud consumers and put ethical organic farmers out of business by labeling factory farm production - and slave labor production, in the case of China - as organic. Mike: I want to thank you, Ronnie, for taking the time to give us all of this shocking information today. Ronnie: Thank you. Related Resources Organic Consumers Association – (www.organicconsumers.

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?

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

It's getting away with it because the USDA favors corporate interests over consumer interests and has no real intention to enforce genuine organic standards. I've philosophically supported the OCA for years, and I trust the judgment of Ronnie Cummins, who I know to be a champion of grassroots consumer protection. Ronnie does not carelessly accuse a $100 million corporation of fraud, and he has worked tirelessly over the years to speak out for the interests of consumers.

The USDA, for its part, has bewilderingly declared that it has no jurisdiction over these organic standards! Playing right into the hands of the $100 million-a-year Aurora Organic Dairy Corporation, the USDA -- which has long since abandoned any mission of actually defending the interests of the public -- announced it would not take any action against Aurora and would allow Aurora to continue selling its milk as "organic" even though the company has clearly been found engaging in practices that no reasonable person would consider "organic.

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

We want to meet the regulations," said Kelly O'Shea, Horizon's director of government and industry relations, "and see integrity in the organic standards." Buying Horizon and Aurora dairy products is certainly better than purchasing dairy products from conventionally raised animals given regular subtherapeutic doses of antibiotics and sulfa drugs that government reports show appear in their finished milk products, and I have no problem as a consumer in supporting either of these companies.50 But you, the consumer, ought to have inside information.

Don't Go to the Cosmetics Counter Without Me, 7th Edition Paula Begoun and Bryan Barron See book keywords and concepts

For more detailed information on the USDA organic standards, visit their Web site at www.ams.usda.gov/nop or call the National Organic Program at (202) 720-3252. Hypoallergenic or Good for Sensitive Skin: These terms suggest to the consumer that the product is less likely to cause allergic reactions or skin sensitivities. However, there are no standard testing restrictions or regulations for determining whether a product qualifies as meeting this claim. A company can label their product as "hypoallergenic" or "good for sensitive skin" without providing any substantiation for the claim.

Before a product can be labeled 'organic,' a government-approved certifier inspects the farm where the food is grown to make sure the farmer is following all the rules necessary to meet USDA organic standards. Companies that handle or process organic food before it gets to your local supermarket or restaurant must be certified, too." What does any of this have to do with cosmetics? Many consumers are already attracted to any cosmetic that claims to be natural, no matter how bogus the claim.

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 maximize profits, some of these companies don't follow organic standards but still label products as organic. For example, Horizon Organic and Aurora Organic, sold by Wal-Mart and other retailers, continue to produce "organic" milk under factory-farm conditions that few reasonable people would consider truly 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.

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

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.

The Encyclopedia of Healing Foods by Michael Murray, N.D. and Joseph Pizzorno, N.D. See book keywords and concepts

Before a product can be labeled "organic," a government-approved certifier inspects the farm where the food is grown to make sure the farmer is following all the rules necessary to meet USDA organic standards. The USDA developed a seal to certify that a food is organic. But the use of the seal is voluntary, so some organic foods may not be labeled with the USDA seal. People who sell or label a product as "organic" when they know it does not meet USDA standards, however, can be fined up to $10,000 for each violation.

Prescription for Dietary Wellness: Using Foods to Heal Phyllis A. Balch, CNC See book keywords and concepts

Indian proverb In March 2000, the United States Food and Drug Administration (USDA) announced the approval of national organic standards, which means that supermarket food labeled organic must meet specific, consistent requirements. Under these rules, organic crops cannot be genetically engineered, irradiated, or fertilized with sewage sludge; farmland where crops are grown is prohibited from being treated with synthetic pesticides and herbicides for at least three years prior to harvest; and farm animals raised under organic standards cannot receive antibiotics or growth hormones.

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

The report was presented to the National organic standards Board of the United States Department of Agriculture. Mark Kastel, founder of The Cornucopia Institute, explained that the report "is simply an analysis, comparing the ethics and management practices of all organic name brand and private label dairy products. This is a tool to help consumers shop with firms that represent their values." ri----- The Institute sent a survey by certified mail to known marketers of organic dairy products in the U.S. The survey was based on 19 questions about the care and feeding of their cows.

Appetite for Profit: How the Food Industry Undermines Our Health and How to Fight Back Michele Simon See book keywords and concepts

Organic Consumers Association Works to protect the integrity of organic standards, preserve the environment, and promote locally grown, sustainable food. www.organicconsumers.org Small Planet Institute Founded by authors Frances Moore Lappe {Diet for a Small Planet, Democracy's Edge, among many other books) and Anna Lappe {Hope's Edge, Grub) to promote "living democracy" and share inspirational stories from around the world. www.smallplanetinstitute.

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

Horizon conveniently took advantage of the fact that Federal organic standards say the cows must have access to pasture, and they said, "Oh well, I guess theoretical access to pasture is good enough. We are going to chain up our cows and milk them three times a day, and they will never get out pasturing unless there is a news organization coming to the farm that day. We will still call it organic." 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.

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.

It would not cost that much money, and this way we could still have organic standards that were real, animals treated humanely and not damage the environment. Of course, we have not even mentioned that one of the reasons you want organic animals to be outdoors and pastured is because the quality of the meat and milk is much higher if the animals are raised naturally on grass. The other organic requirements mean that the end product is going to be healthier as well. They are not going to have antibiotic residues or genetically engineered hormones.

Well, now that Dean Foods has bought out Silk, they are starting to import cheap, so-called organic soybeans from China, where the workers are treated like slaves and organic standards are dubious. Or, they are importing soybeans from Brazil where there is a huge uproar over the fact that people are whacking down the Amazon -- the lungs of the planet -- in order to plant export crops, specifically soybeans, to export.

The Encyclopedia of Healing Foods by Michael Murray, N.D. and Joseph Pizzorno, N.D. See book keywords and concepts

Organic milk, on the other hand, is rBGH-free, as required by organic standards. Therefore, even if labeling for rBGH-containing products is not available, you can be confident that if a dairy product is organic, it is also rBGH-free. 1980: The American Dairy Association launches the national introduction of the "REAL" s Seal dairy symbol. 1981: UHT (ultra-high-temperature) milks gain national recognition. 1983: The National Dairy Promotion and Research Board is created. 1988: Lower-fat dairy products gain widespread acceptance.

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

We have a whole section of our website called "Safeguard organic standards," where you can take action. Right at the top of our home page is an opportunity for you to send a message to what we are calling the "Shameless Seven." These are the large corporations trying to defraud consumers and put ethical organic farmers out of business by labeling factory farm production -- and slave labor production, in the case of China -- as organic. Mike: I want to thank you, Ronnie, for taking the time to give us all of this shocking information today. Ronnie: Thank you.

Safe Food: Bacteria, Biotechnology, and Bioterrorism Marion Nestle See book keywords and concepts

Biotechnology industry representatives criticized the decision as "political, not based on any realistic assessment of risks, benefits, or science," and USDA officials reassured them that the organic standards did not "reflect a judgment about the safety or utility of biotechnology. . . . USDA has not drawn official conclusions about biotechnology labeling for conventional agriculture products. In general, USDA is doing a great deal to promote biotechnology as a key part of mainstream US agriculture efforts." Mexican Native Corn.

Seeds of Deception: Exposing Industry and Government Lies about the Safety of the Genetically Engineered Foods You're Eating Jeffrey M. Smith See book keywords and concepts

The remaining 5 percent are not supposed to be genetically modified according to the organic standards. If the label states, "Made with Organic Ingredients," at least 70 percent of the ingredients must be organic—the non-organic ingredients are also not supposed to be GM. The non-organic ingredients, usually listed at the bottom of the label, do not need to be tested as non-GMO. Big Plans—Genetically Engineering the Food Supply There are hundreds of GM products in the pipeline awaiting further development, approval, or commercialization.

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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.