Shrimp and slavery, bye-bye food poisoning and more
Good morning! We’ve lined up some stories for you to read. On the menu, in no particular order: U.S. supermarkets and retailers are selling shrimp peeled by slaves. An …
Q&A: Pam Ronald, UC plant geneticist
“It’s interesting that the public has come to believe that organic farming is diametrically opposed to genetics. That’s untrue…organic farmers also rely on genetic improvements. I’m lucky to have a …
Meet moringa, the world’s latest superfood
It seems that every day we learn about another ancient grain, or a new (to us) food that may hold the secrets to health, longevity and sustainability. In this piece …
The UC Food Observer chooses a handful of important stories for you to read as you finish your work week. On the menu, in no particular order: a sardine fishery …
“Is The New Whole Foods Label Better Than ‘Organic’?”
Whole Foods has recently established a “Responsibly Grown” program. It provides another set of standards for the produce and flowers that the retailer sells. The system rates both organic and …
A new study by two Washington State University professors shows that organic agriculture can be “much more profitable than conventional as long as price premiums on the crops are high …
A machine that turns grocery waste into liquid fertilizer?
Approximately 40% of food in the United States – about $165 billion each year – is wasted. Much of that food ends up in landfills. In addition to being an …
Op-Ed: “Corporate irresponsibility over GMOs”
What is “being lost” as GMOs become a “trendy identifier?” In a scathing op-ed penned for The Washington Post, Michael Gerson (@MJGerson), suggests that the move to nix GMOs by …
Consumer demand is changing iconic products
Consumer insistence for healthier, more natural ingredients and transparency in the food system is prompting an increasing number of corporations to “overhaul” even iconic products. A large and vocal consumer …
USDA urges “co-existence” as biotech factions clash
The debate between supporters of biotechnology and non-GMO adherents has grown increasingly strident. Biotech seed makers like Monsanto (along with some farmer groups) argue that GMOs are essential to global …