Archive for the ‘Food Alerts’ Category
The Michigan DNR ruled ‘wild swine’ are invasive species, and will prohibit raising them soon. Unfortunately, many small farmers raise meat hogs, which, under the new guidelines, would be considered ‘wild swine’…
For a brief overview/debate on the subject, click here.
For a Michigan farmer’s perspective, click here.
For the actual declaratory ruling, click here.
A recently published study by researchers at Dartmouth College hypothesized the presence of arsenic in products made with brown rice syrup.
According to the Organic Trade Association (OTA), arsenic is an element found in the environment which has concentrated with decades of routine herbicide and pesticide use in agriculture. Arsenic is one component of synthetic chemicals which is currently monitored for its potential threat to food production – both conventional and organically produced – by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
There have not been any product recalls, but we may experience some extent of supply problems as producers and distributors in the Natural Foods Industry proceed with efforts to ensure the highest level of food safety regarding their products.
View the links below for examples of the responses we are receiving from manufacturers as they assess these claims. Food producers and distributors will continue to rely on guidance from the OTA and the FDA to guide any further response.
In a major victory for public health and what will hopefully lead to other nations taking action, a French court decided that GMO crops monster Monsanto is guilty of chemically poisoning a French farmer.
Click here for the full story.
We will soon see an interruption in supply of Donnay Dairy Chevre from Kimball, Minnesota. The baby goats have been born and they get the top of the milk production priority list!
This annual occurrence is part of the family farm’s responsible practices. We might say it’s part of the cycle of eating seasonally. There’s an ancient quote having to do with our disappointment when the flowers wither, but it is overcome when the wine is poured. This is the same sort of thing, right?!
Our cheese buyer is working to find a temporary replacement for when your taste turns to young, fresh cheese! Stay tuned.
Some mislabeled packages of Guindon Farms Beef Bratwurst were sold at the Marquette Food Co-op. The last arrival of Beef Bratwurst from Guindon Farms was mislabeled by the packing processor. The incorrectly labeled Beef Bratwurst are a quality control oversight relating only to the labeling. Guindon Farms Beef products are “Certified Naturally Grown” and DO NOT contain artificial ingredients “MSG”, “IA” and “BHT”.
Despite receiving nearly 45,000 public comments in opposition and only 23 comments in favor, the Obama administration gave Monsanto the green light to release its newest genetically engineered (GE) corn variety freely into the environment and American food supply, without any governmental oversight or safety tracking.
Over the holidays, the USDA announced its approval of a novel strain of GE corn Monsanto claims is “drought tolerant.”
The USDA also opened a 60-day public comment period for two petitions. One is for Monsanto’s GE soybean containing higher levels of an omega-3 fatty acid that does not naturally occur in soybeans. The other is from Dow AgroSciences for corn that has been genetically engineered to better resist the poisonous herbicide 2,4-D, a key ingredient in the “Agent Orange” used to defoliate forests and croplands in the Vietnam War.
“The concern is that, just like Monsanto’s genetically engineered corn that is resistant to RoundUp™ (glyphosate) herbicide, the approval of a cultivar resistant to 2,4-D will cause an exponential increase in the use of this toxic agrichemical,” Mark Kastel of The Cornucopia Institute stated.
Citizens can comment on the proposed approval of Dow’s 2,4-D tolerant corn and Monsanto’s stearidonic acid soybeans until February 27, 2012.
An online petition opposing Dow’s 2,4-D corn variety, which will be sent to President Obama and USDA Secretary Vilsack, can be signed here.
For the full original news story click here.
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| Product RECALL | |||
| VENDOR | Rising Moon | ||
| PRODUCT DESCRIPTION | Organic Mediterranean Garlic & Herb Ravioli 8 oz | ||
| PRODUCT NUMBER | UPC# 78503000007 | ||
| LOT CODE or DATE | Lot# 040512 (ONLY) | ||
| Sell by Dates | SELL BY APR 05 2012 printed on the front label
(ONLY THIS Sell By date) |
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| REASON | Incorrect back label on the retail package has resulted
in an undeclared allergen (Soy) in this product. Any Marquette Food Co-op Customers who have this Lot Number of This Product may return the package to the Co-op for replacement. |
Larry Schultz chicken eggs have been recalled for salmonella contamination. For more information, click here.
What does this mean for the MFC and our customers?
Certified Organic Eggs from Larry Schultz Farm, MN have been recalled due to salmonella contamination. The Marquette Food Co-op would like to encourage all of those who may have purchased eggs with an expiration date on or before 286 EXP NOV 12 or 286 NOV 12 at our store to return them for a full refund. This information can be found on the side of the egg carton. If the carton has a plant number, any additional numbers or letters or a “sell by” date on the label, they are not part of the recall.
October 2, 2011 was the last time that we sold a carton of Larry Schultz eggs. The date of the reported contamination and illness is August 12 to September 24. We have no way of knowing if the Larry Schultz eggs we sold during this period of time are part of the recall. Regardless, bring back any Larry Schultz eggs to the Marquette Food Co-op for a full refund.
The frozen chicken we buy is not part of the recall, and we do not currently have Larry Schultz eggs in stock. All eggs on our shelves at this time are from local farms.
Thank you,
Natasha Lantz
Education & Outreach Director
Marquette Food Co-op
10/20/11
Attention all farmers and growers! We need to hear from you! A group of businesses and agencies interested in local food production want to know how best to help you. Take this survey and let us know what you need! The Marquette Food Co-op, Northern Michigan University, Michigan State University Extension, the Eastern Upper Peninsula Food Hub, and The U.P. Food Network are interested in pursuing activities to support the growth of local agriculture in the U.P. but need your help to decide how to proceed.
You may take this survey online at:
Or print a version to mail in by clicking here.
Big Ag/USDA Could Run Organic Leafy Green Growers out of Business!
Read the story and take action here.
