Just Label It, New Roundup 2-9

Strips of wildflowers have been planted in the middle of fields across England as part of a trial to help the natural predators of the pests that attack cereal crops. Meanwhile, here in the U.S., Republican lawmakers threatened to cut funding for the World Health Organization’s cancer research program over its finding that the active ingredient in the herbicide Roundup is probably carcinogenic to humans. Also in the news, a variety of neonicotinoids – harmful to aquatic organisms – were reported to be in major Great Lakes streams. In the grocery sector, Kroger now represents nearly 20 percent of the United States’ annual organic produce business. A new report showed that Kroger’s produce sales have reached $1 billion. In GMO news, a genetically modified rice product developed by a group of Chinese scientists has acquired U.S. Food and Drug Administration approval, the first such Chinese product allowed to enter the U.S. market. And new lawsuit claims that Walmart and Cal-Maine lied to customers about the treatment of hens whose eggs were sold at Walmart. The alleged lie? The packaging claimed “outdoor access,” yet the birds were not permitted to go outside.

GOP Lawmakers Take Aim at WHO Agency Over Roundup Ingredient

Republican lawmakers threaten to cut U.S. funding for the World Health Organization’s cancer research program over its finding that the active ingredient in the herbicide Roundup is probably carcinogenic to humans.

Stripes of wildflowers across farm fields could cut pesticide spraying

The stripy fields have been planted across England as part of a trial to boost the natural predators of pests that attack cereal crops.

Kroger’s Annual Organic Produce Sales Reach $1B

The Kroger Co.’s organic produce business has achieved $1 billion in annual sales. The Cincinnati-based grocer “offers one of the largest organic produce departments in America, and we are proud to have led the way in making this category more mainstream, accessible and affordable,” noted SVP of Merchandising Robert Clark. In fact, Kroger now represents nearly 20 percent of the United States’ annual organic produce business, according to the company.

China’s First GM Rice Gets US FDA Approval

A genetically modified (GM) rice product developed by a group of Chinese scientists has acquired the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval, the first such Chinese product allowed to enter the US market.

Controversial insecticides pervasive in Great Lakes tributaries

A variety of neonicotinoids—harmful to aquatic organisms—are reported in major Great Lakes streams.

Lawsuit Filed Against Walmart for Claiming “Cage-Free” Eggs

A lawsuit has been filed in a California district court against two of the biggest companies in the country: Walmart and Cal-Maine Foods. The lawsuit claims that Walmart and Cal-Maine—the latter is one of the biggest egg producers in the US—lied to customers about the treatment of hens whose eggs were sold at Walmart. The alleged lie? The packaging claimed “outdoor access,” yet the birds are not permitted to go outside.