BREAKING NEWS and ALERT:
USDA REPORT INDICATES THAT ORGANIC LABELING FRAUD IS INCREASING
The U.S. Department of Agriculture National Organic Program (NOP) announced this week that 15 of the 30 accredited organic certifiers they recently inspected failed the USDA audit and will have 12 months to make corrections or lose their accreditation with the NOP. Although the USDA euphemistically calls their enforcement actions " renewal pending subsequent audit," it is clear that there are numerous violations of organic standards taking place in the U.S. and across the world. A number of the violations noted in the several hundred page audit related to Chinese imports certified by the French-based organic certifier Ecocert and other certifiers.

Strangely enough, Quality Assurance International (QAI), the largest organic certifier in the world, is not cited by the USDA, even though the OCA has recently reviewed documents that indicate that QAI is indeed under investigation by the NOP. QAI has recently been in the news for sourcing ginger, contaminated with a dangerous and banned pesticide, Aldicarb, from its Chinese certification sub-contractors and then labeling it as " USDA Organic." QAI is also under public fire, along with other certifiers, for certifying factory farm feedlot dairies supplying milk to Horizon and Aurora Organic Dairy, who in turn supply Wal-Mart, Costco, Safeway, and other organic private label organic milk.

Learn more and take action: http://www.organicconsumers.org/articles/article_13943.cfm

ALERT OF THE WEEK:
SENATOR SAYS STOP BRAINWASHING CHILDREN TO EAT JUNK FOOD
A new Federal Trade Commission (FTC) report has revealed that food and beverage corporations spent $1.6 billion dollars in food advertising in 2006. As parents and public health officials understand, the nation's alarming surge in childhood obesity and diabetes are directly related to increased consumption of junk food. Senator Tom Harkin (D-IA) has urged industry and government regulators to redirect the massive funds spent every year in junk food advertising toward education and programs focused on healthy eating.
Take Action: http://salsa.democracyinaction.org/o/642/campaign.jsp?campaign_KEY=25289

QUOTE OF THE WEEK:
" Globalized industrialized food is not cheap: it is too costly for the Earth, for the farmers, for our health. The Earth can no longer carry the burden of groundwater mining, pesticide pollution, disappearance of species and destabilization of the climate. Farmers can no longer carry the burden of debt, which is inevitable in industrial farming with its high costs of production. It is incapable of producing safe, culturally appropriate, tasty, quality food. And it is incapable of producing enough food for all because it is wasteful of land, water and energy. Industrial agriculture uses ten times more energy than it produces. It is thus ten times less efficient."

Dr. Vandana Shiva, scientist, world-renowned author, and grassroots leader in India. Member of the Policy Advisory Board of the Organic Consumers Association.

VIDEO OF THE WEEK:
ANTHRAX ATTACKS MAY BE 'INSIDE JOB'
National TV commentator, Keith Olbermann, says anthrax attacks in 2001 were likely an " inside job" by the Bush/Cheney Administration. Watch this MSNBC video and read the related Associated Press article here:
http://www.organicconsumers.org/articles/article_13881.cfm

Take action here: http://capwiz.com/grassrootsnetroots/issues/alert/?alertid=11116791andtype=ML

SIGN-UP FOR OCA'S ACTION ALERTS
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PLUNDER OF THE WEEK:
SIX TIMES MORE FISH FED TO LIVESTOCK THAN TO HUMANS
According to the UBS Fisheries Centre in Vancouver, B.C., despite rampant over-fishing and depletion of world fish populations, globally, we are now feeding 14 million tons of edible wild-caught fish to factory farm animals, like pigs and chickens, each year. That amounts to over six times the amount of fish the entire U.S. population eats annually. Wild fish fed to animals on a massive scale include perfectly edible anchovies, sardines, mackerel, and herring, which are ground into a cheap fishmeal and sold for animal feed. In other words a protein source is being fed to animals on corporate farms with a 90% energy loss. Given the global food crisis and the over-harvesting of many of the ocean's commercial fish varieties, careful analysis of resource use by the global industrial food complex is becoming a life or death imperative.
Learn more: http://www.organicconsumers.org/articles/article_13294.cfm

SUSTAINABILITY TIPS OF THE WEEK:
MICRO-GENERATION AND MICRO-FARMING
As energy and food prices continue to rise, global experts predict that micro-generation and micro-farming will boom over the next few years. New trends in urban farming, like vertical gardening and backyard chickens, can help feed households in an economical and earth friendly way. New technologies in micro-generation, powering your home with a wind turbine or solar paneling, for example, are making off-the-grid living more financially feasible than ever. In fact, priorities in Silicon Valley are already shifting from developing better microchips towards focusing on thin-film solar cells. Meanwhile, programs like 'Solar City' are offering 20% savings in solar paneling installations for neighborhoods who buy in bulk.
Learn more: http://www.organicconsumers.org/articles/article_13636.cfm

TOP ARTICLES OF THE WEEK:
POSTED FROM NEWSLETTERS and WEBSITES WE LIKE
Let OCA sift through the media smog and bring you the top new and analysis of the day. The OCA website has 20 or more news articles posted each day, covering issues including health, justice, food and farming, politics, and the environment. With over thirty thousand visitors per day, OrganicConsumers.org is a valuable resource for consumers, activists, and journalists. Please Bookmark OrganicConsumers.org as your daily source of news, analysis and inspiration.

1. Interview with OCA Director Ronnie Cummins: We Need a New Green Deal
   (Lavida Locavore):
   http://www.organicconsumers.org/articles/article_13858.cfm
2. Solar Power Breakthrough Stores Energy for Later Use
   (Environmental News Service):
   http://www.organicconsumers.org/articles/article_13895.cfm
3. Urge Congress to Immediately Halt Any Further Advancement of NAIS
   (R-CALF):
   http://www.organicconsumers.org/articles/article_13752.cfm
4. Monsanto and ADM Set Up New Front Group to Deflect Ethanol Criticism and to Promote GMOs
   (Farmpolicy.com):
   http://www.organicconsumers.org/articles/article_13773.cfm
5. Twelve Natural Tips for Safe Travel
   (Natural News):
   http://www.organicconsumers.org/articles/article_13836.cfm

HEALTH TIP OF THE WEEK:
WHAT ARE THE SAFEST SUNSCREENS?

1. Keys Soap Solar Rx Therapeutic Sunblock, SPF 30
2. Trukid Sunny Days Facestick Mineral Sunscreen UVA/UVB Broad Spectrum, SPF
   30+
3. California Baby Sunblock Stick No Fragrance, SPF 30+
4. Badger Sunscreen, SPF 30
5. Marie Veronique Skin Therapy Sun Serum
6. Lavera Sunscreen Neutral, SPF 40
7. Vanicream Sunscreen, SPF 35
8. UV Natural Sunscreen, SPF
   30+
9. Sun Science Sport Formula, SPF 30 10. Soleo Organics Sunscreen all natural Sunscreen, SPF 30+

Source: Environmental Working Group:
http://www.organicconsumers.org/articles/article_13493.cfm

QUICK TIDBITS OF THE WEEK:

WEBSITE HELPS CONSUMERS UNDERSTAND ECO-LABELS
There are literally hundreds of different types of eco-labels on consumer products ranging from organic, to sustainably-made, to " Green" . But what does it all mean? Ecolabeling.org provides an online searchable database of over 300 eco-labels. Don't get scammed into paying extra for a product that may not be as earth-friendly as the label suggests. Find out what the label means here: http://www.ecolabeling.org

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WEB VIDEO NEWSFLASH:
ILLEGAL PESTICIDE TOXIN FOUND IN 'ORGANIC' GINGER
http://www.organicconsumers.org/articles/article_13803.cfm

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ORGANIC CONSUMERS IN YOUR STATE
Through the Organic Consumers Fund's Grassroots Netroots Alliance project,
voters are pressing the politicians to support strict organic standards,
mandatory labels for genetically engineered food, and the conversion of U.S.
farmland to organic. Find out who's answering the call in your state by
clicking here: http://www.organicconsumers.org/articles/article_13672.cfm

On the same page, you'll find a listing of state campaigns for health, justice and sustainability in all 50 states.

Join state discussion groups in our forum: http://organicconsumers.org/forum/index.php?showforum=52

Post events in your state on our community calendar: http://organicconsumers.org/forum/index.php?act=calendar

QUOTE OF THE WEEK:
THIS IS THE NEXT AMERICAN REVOLUTION
" We are at a stage in human history that is as monumental as changing from a hunter/gatherer society to an agricultural society and from an agricultural society to and industrial society. Where we're headed now will be different because we have exhausted planetary space and human space for us to continue to look at things through the Cartesian measurement of material things. We need to face the way we used the world for our gains, pleasures, satisfactions. This is the way we evolve to a higher stage of humanity. And unless we want to live in terror for the rest of our lives, we need to change our view about acquiring things. We have the opportunity to take a great leap forward in these very challenging times. We need to change our institutions and ourselves. We need to seize opportunities. We need to launch our imaginations beyond the thinking of the past. We need to discern who we are and expand on our humanness and sacredness. That's how we change the world, which happens because WE will be the change."

Dr. Grace Lee Boggs, 93, a long-time Detroit political and labor activist, author, and philosopher.
Source: http://www.organicconsumers.org/articles/article_13671.cfm

FAIR TRADE ALERT OF THE WEEK:
TELL STARBUCKS WE WANT FAIR TRADE, NOT GREENWASHING
Despite ten years of consumer pressure and small farmer pleading, Starbucks has stubbornly refused to increase their purchase of certified Fair Trade and Organic coffee to a respectable level. Although most Starbucks Customers (and many of their employees) believe the majority of Starbucks coffee is Fair Trade, to date, only 6% of Starbucks' coffee is certified Fair Trade. High quality certified Fair Trade and Organic coffee is readily available and is a concrete way that large corporations like Starbucks can support small-scale organic and sustainable coffee farmers abroad. http://www.organicconsumers.org/starbucks/index.cfm

1) Sign OCA's 2008 petition to Starbucks demanding that all espresso drinks be both 100% certified Organic and Fair Trade.
http://salsa.democracyinaction.org/o/642/petition.jsp?petition_KEY=1267

2) Make a toll-free call to Starbucks' Customer Service Line and let them know how you feel! (800) 235-2883. Click here for a sample script.
http://www.organicconsumers.org/Sbux/callstarbucks.htm

3) Sound off on My Starbucks Idea, Starbucks' public forum. We have an idea for you Starbucks, its called Fair Trade!
http://www.mystarbucksidea.com/

4) Break the Chains. Find an independently owned café near you!
http://delocator.net/index.php

ORGANIC VOTERS NEEDED
The Organic Consumers Association has embarked on a new campaign to ensure
that all of our supporters are educated about the importance of voting,
registered to vote, and will show up to vote on election day in November. We
just found out that an impressive 87% of Organic Consumers nationwide are registered to vote! That's great, but that means 13% of us aren't! We need your help! If you're not registered to vote yet, email alexis@organicconsumers.org, and we'll hook you up with the forms and information you need. If you are registered to vote and you want to help others do the same, volunteer by sending an e-mail to alexis@organicconsumers.org.

Neither one of the 2004 major party platforms mentioned organic food or farming. Let's see if we can change that.

Click here to weigh in on the 2008 Democratic Platform: http://backbonecampaign.org/page.cfm?id=139

Click here to weigh in on the 2008 Republican Platform: http://www.gopplatform2008.com/intro.aspx

ESSAY OF THE WEEK:
RONNIE CUMMINS - NETROOTS NATION AT THE CROSSROADS
" Millions of Americans, especially the 'netroots,' those drawing their information and inspiration from the open sources of the internet, are finally connecting the dots between the burning issues, moving beyond limited concerns to radical awareness. A politicized new majority is waking up to the fact that the proverbial " end" is near. We must move beyond " business as usual" and tepid reform. We must link together our burning issues, unite our heretofore-fragmented forces and communities into a qualitatively more powerful current, and press and confront the Fortune 500 and the nation's thousands of elected public officials-before it's too late..."
Read more: http://www.organicconsumers.org/articles/article_13588.cfm

OCA'S KELLOGG'S BOYCOTT BUILDING MOMENTUM:
STOP MONSANTO'S GE SUGAR!
Over the last two weeks, thousands of OCA supporters have taken action, signing-on to our Boycott of Kellogg's and Morningstar Farms products, sending hundreds of letters to the editor to their local newspaper and making the news! http://www.organicconsumers.org/articles/article_13702.cfm. Ready to take it to the next level? Download OCA's new GE Sugar flier (http://organicconsumers.org/ge/GEsugarLeaflet.pdf), Kellogg's Boycott petition (http://organicconsumers.org/ge/KelloggsPetition.pdf), and spread the word.

Attention Natural Food Stores and Coops: Interested in getting involved in OCA's Kellogg's and Morningstar Farms boycott? Contact OCA coordinator Ryan Zinn ryan@organicconsumers.org 818-659-1030 for more information.

SIGN-UP FOR OCA'S ACTION ALERTS
OCA has two email publications. You are currently reading Organic Bytes.
You can subscribe to Organic Bytes here:
http://salsa.democracyinaction.org/o/642/signUp.jsp?key=411
You can also subscribe to OCA's Emergency Action Alerts here:
http://salsa.democracyinaction.org/o/642/signUp.jsp?key=3457

WEB FORUM TOPIC OF THE WEEK:
EPA DROPS VALUE OF AMERICAN LIFE
The Environmental Protection Agency has released new figures for what they consider the average American's life is worth. The amount, which is used to determine if the costs related to implementing various environmental policies are worth the amount of human life those policies save, has dropped one million dollars in just the last five years. Frankly stated, you're not worth nearly as much to the U.S. Government as you used to be. Is this method of cost analysis and comparison a valid way of determining which environmental regulations are worth implementing and which are too expensive? Talk about it in OCA's blog or web forum: http://organicconsumers.org/forum/index.php?showtopic=1783