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Lately, I feel like someone could slap a sticker on the Brooklyn Bridge that says, “This bridge is certified sustainable,” and we would just accept it. Since most of us have no idea what would make a bridge sustainable, we would have no way of knowing if it’s truly sustainable or not. Even if the Brooklyn Bridge were certified sustainable by, let’s say, the National Sustainable Bridge Inspection Association (NSBIA), we would need to inquire as to what standards were established for that certification and why. Most importantly, people we trust in the bridge business would all have to agree on those standards. They would also have to agree that those standards, if met, would allow a bridge to be certified sustainable. This all seems straightforward, yet we allow ambiguity to exist in the organic labeling of our food. Look what’s been happening at the fish market… Read more…
Do you care where your seafood comes from? The National Fisheries Institute, a trade organization for the seafood import industry, thinks you don't.
The customer is always right. But is the customer always informed? Every day, money is made in this country based on the premise that most consumers don’t care about information pertaining to the products they buy. The imported seafood industry banks on it. Read more…
U.S. catfish farmers have been doing something almost unprecedented in the annals of the food industry — they have been asking for more regulation. In case you’re unsure of how serious they are, the Catfish Farmers of America launched a nationally televised ad campaign that asks President Obama to implement a new USDA program to inspect all catfish sold in the U.S. Read more…
The debate over GE salmon has uncovered many questions about the FDA’s approval process and about the data AquaBounty provided to the FDA to prove that the fish is safe to eat. A few reader comments from GE salmon proponents have suggested that critics of GE salmon, and the FDA process that governs its approval, are not supportive of technological advances. As one commenter put it, “Why are you guys anti-science?” Read more…
September 16 is a big day in the effort to stop the FDA from approving GE salmon. Food & Water Watch is holding a National Day of Action to oppose the approval of genetically engineered salmon by the FDA. We implore consumers to make sure we have a say in this fight against an experimental food mutation that is currently making its way through the FDA.
If you are concerned because GE salmon has not been proven safe for human consumption, and that the FDA has been secretive throughout much of the approval process, you can take action to stop the process so we can ask critical questions about GE salmon.
Today, September 16, consumers are taking time out of their busy workday to make their voices heard. We are asking people around the country to contact the Obama administration to tell the President to stop the FDA from approving GE salmon.
Consumers concerned about GE salmon because it has not been proven safe for human consumption should contact the Obama administration and tell the President to stop the FDA from approving GE salmon.
If you live in the Washington, D.C. area, you can participate with us in our rally and press conference today, September 16, at 3:15pm. Following the event, Ben & Jerry’s — who are supporting us in this effort — will be giving away free Phish Food ice cream and we’ll be generating phone calls to the White House to oppose GE salmon.
We encourage all consumers to be informed about this issue as much as possible. We have devoted an entire section of our website to providing information about GE salmon. It is clear that we have to move quickly and stop that fish before it reaches the food system.
The FDA is uncomfortably close to approving AquaBounty’s AquAdvantage® GE salmon for our kitchen tables, and they are trying to move the process along rather quickly. While the agency is downplaying the potential dangers of bringing GE salmon to market, there are legitimate concerns that every consumer should consider. Proponents of genetically modified food might attempt to distract consumers by making false claims and empty reassurances. Here are ten reasons why the FDA should stop the application process to approve GE salmon for human consumption.
The FDA is close to approving genetically engineered salmon for our plates, but here are ten reasons to stop them.
The race is over. The fight is on. FDA announced last week that they will hold public hearings on the approval of genetically engineered (GE) salmon for consumers’ tables. If they approve GE salmon, it would be the first transgenic animal approved for human consumption in the U.S. The hearings will take place September 19, 20 and 21, which doesn’t leave much time to pose critical questions. Even though many consumers express concern over health and environmental risks that might be associated with GE salmon, FDA is trying to quickly approve it. In response to this important consumer issue, Food & Water Watch will host a series of blogs dedicated to this topic, and we will break down each concern we have with every posting. The following post is the first in this series. Read more…
Occasionally, someone makes a PR gaffe so blatantly off-target that it would be downright funny—if it weren’t such an important consumer right-to- know issue.
AquaBounty Technologies—a name that conjures up images of fresh, wholesome seafood swimming straight to your plate—is the company behind AquaAdvantage genetically engineered (GE) salmon, coming soon to an FDA approval process near you. We call them FrankenFish or Arnold Schwarzensalmon. Included in their very own website is a statement that breaks one of the most important rules of sensible business practice: make the customer feel important. Read more…
The 2010 Smart Seafood Guide is the only current guide that addresses sustainability, food safety and socio-economic impact of different kinds of seafood. Its release comes at a critical time, when the safety of seafood from the Gulf is in question.
All right, seafood lovers… pay attention. Most of you, on average, eat approximately 16 pounds of seafood each year, 4 of which is shrimp. Most of you want safe, sustainable seafood, and you’re probably aware that there are many things to consider.
Consumers need a resource that addresses factors, such as sustainability, food safety, and the socio-economic impact of many different kinds of seafood; the 2010 Smart Seafood Guide will help you navigate those waters. Read more…
