Usda

Why I Take Animal-Tested Drugs

Simon Chaitowitz | Posted 04.04.2009 | Living


Simon Chaitowitz

Throughout the past six years, I have felt terribly guilty about the drugs and procedures I've undergone because I know that so many animals have suffered in their development.

Shovel-Ready (Garden) Projects Abound

Leslie Hatfield | Posted 04.03.2009 | Green


Leslie Hatfield

As record numbers of Americans apply for food stamps and trickle into the nation's already-strapped food banks, it seems like community gardens should be a high priority.

Chipotle Founder: USDA "Natural" Meat Standards Should Be Tougher

The Denver Post | Steve Ells | Posted 03.29.2009 | Green


The Department of Agriculture recently released its long-gestating definition of "naturally raised" meat. Previously, the word "natural" had been ill-...

Conservationists, Farmers At Odds Over Collateral Damage In Coyote Trapping

AP | SCOTT SONNER | Posted 03.21.2009 | Green


RENO, Nev. — Conservationists argue in a new report that U.S. taxpayers should stop subsidizing a $100 million program that kills more than 1 mi...

Poison: One Lump or Two?

Andrew Kimbrell | Posted 03.15.2009 | Style


Andrew Kimbrell

As with mercury levels in corn syrup, our government agencies have simply not taken the time to conduct proper research, preferring rather to push genetically modified sugar beat initiatives at the whim of Monsanto and other agribusinesses.

The Big Risk of Insanely Small Nanoparticles in Our Food

Marguerite Manteau-Rao | Posted 03.07.2009 | Green


Marguerite Manteau-Rao

For now, until the FDA and the USDA get their acts together, when it comes to food and our health, it seems that we, the people, are once more on our own.

Change We Can Believe In, or a Second Helping of the Same-Old?

Paula Crossfield | Posted 02.18.2009 | Green


Paula Crossfield

I hate to put a damper on your inaugural enthusiasm, but the time to act is now if we hope to at least have someone with an interest in building a better food system at the table.

Our Change Agenda For Animals

Michael Markarian | Posted 02.15.2009 | Politics


Michael Markarian

When it comes to animal protection, more than a dozen federal agencies have a direct impact on the lives of millions of pets, farm animals, laboratory animals, and wildlife. It's time for change.

Something to Chu On

Brian Keane | Posted 02.15.2009 | Green


Brian Keane

To be sure, the nomination of Steven Chu -- like almost all of the Obama appointments -- represents a striking and hopeful departure from the approach we've seen under President Bush.

The Kindest Cut

Michael Markarian | Posted 02.13.2009 | Politics


Michael Markarian

When it comes to human-wildlife conflicts, I am quite sure we can do better at the state and federal levels than the programs built around large-scale killing of wildlife.

Let's Ask Marion Nestle: Are The USDA's Organic Standards A Sham?

Kerry Trueman | Posted 01.28.2009 | Green


Kerry Trueman

Dr. Nestle: "While waiting for all this to sort out, here's what to do: buy local from someone you know personally and think is worth trusting."

Peaceful Revolution: Current School Food Standards Don't Make Sense

Margo G. Wootan | Posted 01.16.2009 | Politics


Margo G. Wootan

Over the last two decades, rates of obesity have tripled in children and adolescents, and that increase has been linked to soda intake and the sale of junk food in schools.

Serving Sickness to School Kids

Michael Markarian | Posted 01.15.2009 | Politics


Michael Markarian

Lax agency enforcement of humane slaughter rules continues to allow unacceptable abuse of animals and food safety risks.

How Green Can A Christmas Tree Be?

New York Times | Anne Raver | Posted 01.05.2009 | Green


Locally grown, pesticide-free food is gaining sway these days because it is fresh, healthy and supports area farmers. But how many of us give the same...

Bush's Environmental Legacy on GMOs Is Irreversible

Jeffrey Smith | Posted 01.05.2009 | Green


Jeffrey Smith

After all weather effects of 21st century climate change have disappeared from the earth's surface, two destructive impacts traceable to George Bush's policies will yet remain.

Obama's Team Includes Dangerous Biotech "Yes Men"

Jeffrey Smith | Posted 03.12.2009 | Green


Jeffrey Smith

Instead of giving us change and hope, biotech "Yes Men" on Obama's team may prolong the hypnotic "group think" that has been institutionalized over three previous administrations.

Collin Peterson: Obama Considering The 'Original Lieberman' For Post?

The Huffington Post | Posted 12.23.2008 | Politics


The Hill reports that President-elect Obama is "considering Reps. Collin Peterson (D-Minn.) and Stephanie Herseth Sandlin (D-S.D.) for the USDA post. ...

Amber Waves of Antibodies

Gourmet | Barry Estabrook | Posted 12.14.2008 | Green


Another week, another hole ripped in our food safety net. This one is courtesy of the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), which last month...

Vegans And Meat-Eaters Unite To Support California's Proposition 2

The Huffington Post | Johanna Smith | Posted 11.28.2008 | Green


Proposition 2, a sweeping California ballot initiative designed to improve the treatment that farm animals receive, will be decided by voters on Novem...

To the Presidential Candidates....Debate This!

Deirdre Imus | Posted 01.07.2009 | Politics


Deirdre Imus

No question, the energy and economic crisis affect us all. But noticeably absent from the primaries and now the presidential debates have been any discussions about America's children.

Corn Crop To Be Larger Than Expected

Los Angeles Times | Jerry Hirsch | Posted 09.13.2008 | Business


Corn has taken an increasing role in the national economy in recent years because of its dual role as a source for auto fuel and its ubiquitous use in...

Meat Recall, Economic Downturn: What Will Happen To Whole Foods?

New York Times | Stephanie Clifford | Posted 09.12.2008 | Business


Whole Foods Market said Monday it would tighten oversight of its suppliers to keep substandard products out of stores, after recalling ground beef tha...

A Darker Shade of Green

Elissa Altman | Posted 09.11.2008 | Living


Elissa Altman

It's been a bang-up week in the increasingly green world we food professionals inhabit. To start, New York Times contributor Alessandra Staley brillia...

Ruin Your Barbecue: Learn About The Industry!

Footnoted | Michelle Leder | Posted 07.11.2008 | Business


As we head into the Fourth of July holiday and what will no doubt be a weekend full of BBQs, I can't seem to get a number that I saw in the 10K that S...

Abusive Slaughterhouse Billed $67 Million For Recall

AP | Posted 04.18.2008 | Business


CHINO, Calif. — The federal government said Thursday it has billed a California slaughterhouse more than $67 million for expenses associated wit...