The USDA Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) National Organic Program (NOP) has released a draft version of a proposed rule to strengthen organic enforcement. The proposed amendments are “intended to protect integrity in the organic supply chain and build consumer and industry trust in the USDA organic label by strengthening organic...
A number of coconut water and oil products are made using the labor of trained monkeys, according to an investigation from the People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA). A report from BBC explains that while humans can pick around 80 coconuts per day, trained monkeys can pick up...
Harleysville, PA—Natural Marketing Institute (NMI) announced that, as of July 1, 2020, the company has merged into the Research America Inc. (RAI) family of companies. A press release from NMI notes that RAI, founded over 35 years ago, has over 14 offices nationally with 300+ researchers, while NMI has conducted...
Washington, D.C.—The Environmental Working Group (EWG) commissioned laboratory tests on hummus and chickpeas samples, and found glyphosate in more than 80% of non-organic samples. It was detected at far lower levels in organic versions, according to a press release. Glyphosate is the most widely used herbicide in the world, the...
Washington, D.C.—Vote Hemp is urging the hemp community to join the call to ask Congress to change the legal definition of hemp to allow 1% THC. A petition from Vote Hemp explains: We need Congress to change the definition of hemp to allow up to 1% THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) so that farmers...
Washington, D.C.—FDA has sent to Congress their report on the current state of the cannabidiol (CBD) marketplace. The report recognizes the public’s interest in CBD, but says that “there are many questions about the characteristics of currently marketed CBD products because the Agency lacks significant information on what CBD-containing products...
Cannabidiol (CBD) may be worth looking into as an option for the treatment of COVID-19, according to the authors of the paper SARS-CoV2 induced respiratory distress: Can cannabinoids be added to anti-viral therapies to reduce lung inflammation?, published in Brain, Behavior, and Immunity. The researchers, Siddappa N. Byrareddy from the...
San Francisco, CA—What is the best placement for plant-based meat products? In December 2019, the Plant Based Foods Association (PBFA) launched a plant-based meat test with Kroger, to answer that question. The study involved 60 test stores in three states (Colorado, Indiana, and Illinois), which placed all plant-based meat in...
Asheville, NC—In February 2020, Earth Fare announced that had begun inventory liquidation sales at all of its stores. In March, plans for a comeback were in the works as group of local investors made plans revive several stores. Now, under the new leadership, the Earth Fare comeback is in full...
A new research review suggest the benefits of psycobiotics—pre- and probiotics that affect the gut-brain axis (i.e., those products that can aid in mood regulation). Published in BMJ Nutrition, Prevention & Health, Food & mood: a review of supplementary prebiotic and probiotic interventions in the treatment of anxiety and depression...
