27/02/2012
OTA working group against endangering rice cropping through arsenic
by Kai Kreuzer
Foto: istock/Markus Schieder
Arsenic is a natural element that can contaminate soil as well as groundwater used for drinking and irrigation. The legacy of decades of routine use of arsenic-based herbicides and insecticides poses a real threat to all food production, organic and conventional, warns the Organic Trade Association.
Unlike non-irrigated rice, irrigated rice plants, that tend to stand in water, seem especially at risk since they take up high levels of arsenic.
Crops known to extract arsenic from the soil or irrigation water should be limited to arsenic-free areas. OTA will put together a task force to proactively work on solutions to address this issue within the organic industry. Moreover O.T.A. recommends that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and the Environmental Protection Agency should work together to set and enforce regulatory limits to arsenic in our food supply.
Comparable reports
18/04/2013
USA: Whole Foods plans health resort
by Karin Heinze
The American wholefood company Whole Foods has announced that by 2016 it is going to open a high-end wellness and health resort in Austin in Texas. The plan is to build it near the company headquarters in Austin. more
28/01/2013
USA: Organic demand to increase
by Dr John Paull
The demand for organic food will continue to increase driven by health conscious consumers, according to a new survey of 1500 US consumers. The 155 page report by Technomic Inc advises food service executives, operators and suppliers to “consider re-evaluating their product mix to appeal to this no-longer-niche market". more
19/06/2012
USA: Vending machines for organic products advancing
by Kai Kreuzer
Fresh Healthy Vending Cafe aims to become Starbucks' biggest competitor within the next five years. more
25/10/2011
USA: Farm to School Programme
by Kai Kreuzer
Organic food plays an increasing role in school catering. A good example is Cordley Elementary in Kansas.This school is taking part in the Farm To School lunch program. more
23/01/2012
USA: Report recommends gearing agricultural policy to organic farming
by Kai Kreuzer
The Organic Farming Research Foundation set up in 1990 has published a report on “Organic Farming for Health and Prosperity”. The report clearly summarizes the benefits of organic agriculture and formulates the goal of changing the US government’s agricultural policy. more