The Dark Side of Marketing Healthy Food to Children

In response to the public outcry over the negative impacts of junk food marketing to children, food companies have started using popular media characters to market “healthy” foods to children. These products include …

http://ecowatch.com/2013/dark-side-marketing-healthy-food-children/

Unacceptable Levels: New Film Links Childhood Illness to Unregulated Chemicals

“This film is a huge eye-opener! Once a parent sees this, they thankfully won’t ever approach their child’s health and future the same way ever again!”

http://ecowatch.com/2013/unacceptable-levels-film-childhood-illness-unregulated-chemicals/

GE French Fries, Coming to a Fast Food Restaurant Near You

These potatoes will be used as frozen fries, potato chips and shoestrings, which make up approximately 50 percent of the potato market in the U.S. …

http://ecowatch.com/2013/ge-french-fries-coming-to-fast-food-restaurant/

Worldwide Honey Bee Collapse: A Lesson in Ecology

We know what is killing the bees. Worldwide Bee Colony Collapse is not as big a mystery as the chemical companies claim. The systemic nature of the problem makes it complex, but not impenetrable. Scientists know that bees are dying from …

http://ecowatch.com/2013/worldwide-honey-bee-collapse-a-lesson-in-ecology/

They get to conceal names of subsidy recipients; among them, members of Congress??? FARM BILL FAIL.

Six Reasons Why Every American Should Hate the House Farm Bill

The budget-busting farm bill headed to the House floor next week is bad news for taxpayers. Here’s why this bill, officially H.R. 1947, shouldn’t pass.

http://ecowatch.com/2013/six-reasons-why-every-american-should-hate-house-farm-bill/

Happy Hemp History Week!

Find a screening of the documentary Bringing It Home and check out other events near you, now through June 9!

Industrial Hemp: The Answer for a Greener Future

Bringing It Home explores the question of why a crop with so many widespread benefits cannot be farmed in the U.S. by illustrating its history, current industries and talking to both opponents and proponents of the industrial hemp farming legalization effort.

http://ecowatch.com/2013/industrial-hemp-answer-greener-future/

Michael Pollan on the Links Between Biodiversity and Health

“I think when you bring the concepts of ecology into your body, that’s a revolutionary new paradigm for medicine and for the philosophy of human identity. It breaks down the ‘us and them’ attitude we bring to nature …

http://ecowatch.com/2013/michael-pollan-links-biodiversity-health/

IN A PICKLE: Groups Take Fake Claims to Court

Fighting Big Food’s Deceptive Marketing Campaign

Under both federal and state law, it’s illegal to engage in deceptive marketing. This is a broad concept that applies to any entity that advertises. The idea is that consumers should not be swindled into buying a product; they deserve the straight facts to make informed purchasing decisions. And while such laws do help deter shady activities, deceptive marketing statutes get violated all the time, mostly due to lack of enforcement.

It may be unsettling to realize that on grocery store shelves right now are likely hundreds of food products that contain illegal deceptive claims. While the federal government does have specific definitions for some phrases such as “low fat” or “low salt,” otherwise almost anything goes on the front of a food package because the feds have turned a blind eye. Without proper government oversight, the only recourse is for private law firms to set these companies straight.

http://ecowatch.com/2013/big-foods-deceptive-marketing-campaign/

GE Wheat Controversy: Further Proof GE Crops are Uncontrollable

The discovery of Monsanto’s GE wheat, confirmed by U.S. authorities, sparked alarm among Washington D.C.’s trading nations, pushed wheat prices lower and is threatening U.S. exports. It should not be seen, however, as totally unexpected.

http://ecowatch.com/2013/ge-wheat-controversy-proof-ge-crops-uncontrollable/

Target, Giant Eagle, Meijer Join Major Retailers Saying No to GE Salmon

“There’s no room on our plates for genetically engineered seafood. Consumers don’t want it and price-competitive stores across middle America are refusing to sell it …

http://ecowatch.com/2013/target-giant-eagle-meijer-major-retailers-no-ge-salmon/