Deciding how America will nourish itself and sustain its farms would seem a top policy priority— yet as the US Farm Bill demonstrates, sustainably grown, healthy food and livable incomes for farmers and workers remain an afterthought in a process controlled almost entirely by agribusiness and a handful of farm-state legislators. Despite strong public opinion supporting local food, farmer’s markets, organic agriculture, food workers’ rights and access to fresh produce, agribusiness and commodity interests continue to dominate food and farming policy.

Reliable sources in Washington D.C. have informed the Organic Consumers Association (OCA) that Monsanto has begun secretly lobbying its Congressional allies to attach one or more “Monsanto Riders” or amendments to the 2013 Farm Bill that would preempt or prohibit states from requiring labels on genetically engineered (GE) foods.(Photo: via OSGATA.org)

The Organic Consumers Association (OCA) today called on the USDA National Organic Program (NOP) to ban the use of carrageenan in all organic products. Carrageenan, an additive commonly used in foods, and allowed in certified organic foods, is linked to gastrointestinal inflammation and higher rates of colon cancer. Under NOP rules, carrageenan’s approval is set to expire, or “sunset.” However, the NOP is recommending approval of carrageenan in organics for another five years.