As the U.S. looks to decrease its dependence on foreign oil and curb environmental degradation, cleaner-burning gasoline alternatives are getting more attention. While their availability is still limited and their costs can be higher, those obstacles will be lessened as the market grows. The following is a rundown of the most common alternative fuels, compiled […]
The Global Animal Partnership (GAP) certification program is comprised of a series of step levels, each corresponding to a set of animal welfare standards. The rigor of the standards increases with higher step levels. The Step 4 label for chickens and pigs means the animals live in an enriched outdoor area. For beef cattle, the […]
The Global Animal Partnership (GAP) certification program is comprised of a series of step levels, each corresponding to a set of animal welfare standards. The rigor of the standards increases with higher step levels. The Step 3 label means that the animals were raised on farms with improved living conditions and animal welfare practices. Chickens […]
The NOFA-NY Certified 100% Grass Fed label is highly meaningful and verified. It means that the animals used to produce meat and dairy were raised on certified organic farms, and in addition, meat animals must be fed 100% grass or grass-based feed for the entire life of the animal with the exception of milk prior […]
The “raised without antibiotics” claim on meat and poultry means that the animals were not given antibiotics in their feed, water or by injection. Choosing meat and poultry that is raised without antibiotics is an important step in helping address the public health crisis of antibiotic resistance. The U.S. Department of Agriculture performs a one-time review […]
Not Meaningful The “natural” label is not verified and is not meaningful. There are no consistent standards to ensure that the label means what it implies to consumers: that the food was produced without chemical fertilizers, synthetic pesticides, genetically engineered crops, chemical processing aids, and artificial ingredients. Each company can use its own definition, and […]
August 2016 Support of petition to remove 7 synthetic flavors or adjuvants Consumers Union, along with other organizations, submitted comments to the FDA in support of a petition by the Center for Science in the Public Interest that asked the agency to remove its approval of seven synthetic flavors or adjuvants, including styrene, because they […]
Stretching Your Dollar How To Fit Organic Produce in Your Budget Organic food is better for your health and that of the environment. But produce grown organically also generally costs more than conventional options, so here are some tips on how to fit organic in your budget: Buy whole foods and process them yourself. […]
The seal means that the food has been tested for pesticide residues, and that residues were below levels specified in the SCS Pesticide Residue Free Certification Standard. For a food to be certified and carry this seal, the test results do not have to indicate that the residue levels are zero, or that no pesticides […]
Send a message to the USDA today to support the organic animal welfare rule Last year, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) finalized a new rule requiring humane conditions for animals raised on certified organic farms. Now the USDA is proposing to withdraw this new rule entirely. Last year, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) […]