Stories related to: organic food

Don’t believe the hype about organic food, writes Abigail Haddad in the American . While foodies and environmentalists may croon over produce grown locally or on small farms, the truth is that small farms aren’t very efficient, locally grown produce doesn’t help the environment, and organic food is produced much the same way as plain ‘ol food. More »

Some organically grown tomatoes appear to have higher levels of potent antioxidants, and the reason may be in the fertilizer, NPR reports. Researchers at UC Davis running tests on levels of the antioxidants, known as flavonoids, found 79%-97% higher flavonoid levels in the organic tomatoes. More »

Although it controls more than a third of the organic baby formula market, Similac Organic also carries a less coveted distinction: It is the only brand in the category that contains cane sugar, or sucrose. The company says its is FDA approved, but many parents and doctors worry about starting babies on the extra-sweet formula, the New York Times reports. More »

With a gallon of organic milk costing a whopping $7 and a conventional gallon going for $2.99, cash-strapped shoppers are skipping organic groceries. That means the $19 billion industry, which has ballooned 150% since 2001, may now be shrinking, Newsweek reports. “I miss it terribly,” said one former Whole Foods regular. “But I just can’t afford it anymore. Food everywhere is so expensive.” More »

The gas production, need for space, and food requirements required by organic and free-range livestock hurt the environment more than their traditional counterparts, the BBC reports. Organic poultry can heat the earth some 45% more than indoor poultry, one group said; and a UN division found that farm animals heat the Earth more than transport. The reports have led experts to push indoor "precision husbandry." More »

Yes, your probiotic flaxseed Kashi cereal is still organic, but shoppers looking to stick it to the man by going green be advised: the nation's top 30 corporate food processors—think Pepsi, Kellogg, Kraft, General Mills—have been quietly buying up vast swaths of the organic aisle of your supermarket, Treehugger reports. More »

Switching to organic food doesn't have to upend your family's eating habits or strain your wallet. In the New York Times , Dr. Alan Greene, author of Raising Baby Green, suggests starting with these five easy foods: Milk Potatoes Peanut butter More »

John Mackey, the Whole Foods CEO who posted attacks on a competitor in Yahoo financial forums, is under scrutiny by the SEC for his anonymous mischief-making. The federal agency is informally investigating whether the posts violate "fair disclosure" rules. They could be a problem for Mackey if officials find that he was deliberately trying to manipulate Whole Foods stock. More »

Ancient Jewish dietary laws meet contemporary concerns about how food is produced in what the Washington Post calls the "eco-kosher" movement. American Jews are increasingly concerned about  labor standards, treatment of animals, and ecological impact of what goes on their table, even if they don't keep kosher, and religious leaders are responding. More »

Veggies raised on an organic farm owned by Prince Charles have been dumped by a  British supermarket chain because the less-than-majestic food doesn't meet quality standards. The farm had been providing carrots to Sainsbury's supermarkets, but as of the end of January the Crown Prince was "sacked," the Guardian reports. More »

Wal-Mart customers aren't buying organic food, and the farmers who stepped up production to supply the giant discounter are the big losers. A year ago Wal-Mart ballyhooed an aggressive push into organic foods, saying they would offer 400 items at low cost. The company placed massive initial orders, farmers say . . . and then largely disappeared. More »

Culinary school degrees are suddenly leading to careers outside the kitchen, reports the LA Times . In our food-obsessed culture, beer sommeliers, cheese affineurs (aging experts) culinary philanthropists and even food consultants for historical films are increasingly finding outlets for their unique talents. Specialists say their jobs beat working in restaurants, "being shouted at by mean chefs." More »