Noon International: Food Trading Import Export » organic http://www.noon-intl.com/blog Food Trading and Import and Export Company for Asia Wed, 16 Nov 2011 14:48:42 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3 Why Should We Believe It’s Organic Or Is It http://www.noon-intl.com/blog/2009/11/30/why-should-we-believe-its-organic-or-is-it/ http://www.noon-intl.com/blog/2009/11/30/why-should-we-believe-its-organic-or-is-it/#comments Tue, 01 Dec 2009 00:42:32 +0000 Edward Noon http://www.noon-intl.com/blog/?p=548 Continue reading →]]> From Organic Consumers Association, May 18 2009: The USDA waited five years before sending auditors to China to examine the practices of that country’s certifying agents. And even when in China, the USDA’s auditors visited only two farms in the entire country. On these two farms, they found multiple noncompliances with U.S. organic standards. USDA auditors also discovered that Chinese-based organic certifying agents did not always provide a translated copy of the U.S. standards to clients who apply for organic certification.

The Chinese findings support concerns that American farmers have raised for years, which is that organic imports from China may not always be held to the same strict standards as American crops. They also raise serious questions about whether Chinese farmers are adequately informed about the USDA organic standards and requirements.

“If the reputation of organic food is impugned through illegal and fraudulent activities in China, and an incompetent level of oversight by the USDA, it will be the domestic farmers and entrepreneurs that built this industry who will be harmed,” added Kastel.

Yes, American farmers have a legitimate concern but don’t we as consumers have the same concerns about any USDA organic certified product regardless of country of origin. Is there any reason to believe that the USDA would do a better job of auditing here vs. China or any country?

http://www.cgfi.org/2006/08/09/can-you-trust-the-usda-organic-label/

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]]> http://www.noon-intl.com/blog/2009/11/30/why-should-we-believe-its-organic-or-is-it/feed/ 0 Why Organic Vegetables Are Bad http://www.noon-intl.com/blog/2009/09/29/why-organic-vegetables-are-bad/ http://www.noon-intl.com/blog/2009/09/29/why-organic-vegetables-are-bad/#comments Tue, 29 Sep 2009 17:16:31 +0000 Edward Noon http://www.noon-intl.com/blog/?p=538 Continue reading →]]> Or are they?

I am an environmentalist, I think green, I buy organic.

Now I am asking myself questions.

I went to my local Wholefoods grocery store and looked in the freezer section. Wholefoods has their own private label, 365 Everyday Value. I examined the 365 Everyday Value Organic frozen vegetables, asparagus, spinach, edamame, a California blend (broccoli, cauliflower, and carrot), a Thai blend, and a Stir Fry blend. Much to my surprise each of these organic vegetables and blends were product of China, all from China each and every one. The price was cheap and reasonable compared to the non Wholefoods private label organic product.

So my question is, yes I get a great dollar value, but is it environmentally correct to be buying organic product from China? Should I be buying pesticide laden vegetables from the USA and more local than global?

Think of the environmental cost of transportation from China compared to local vegetables. Which has a greater impact on the environment? A larger carbon footprint?

Or should I be only thinking of my health and eat organic even if it means a larger carbon footprint?

A good question to ponder, my health today or my children’s, children’s, children world of tomorrow?

Health vs Environment?

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