Delivering the week’s top organic food news
1.22.2025
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A New Blueprint to Help Save Our Children from Synthetic Chemicals

(Will we protect our children's future or continue to sicken them?)


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Our current policy of allowing modern synthetic chemicals to pervade our food, water and environment — with little or no safety testing or proper oversight — is threatening the future of our children and humanity.

This was the conclusion reached in a seminal peer-reviewed paper just published in the world’s leading medical journal, The New England Journal of Medicine (NEJM), by a team of 25 scientists, economists and legal experts from 17 leading institutions in the U.S. and EU.

A Few Key Childhood Disease Statistics Over the Past 50 Years from the Paper:

• Childhood cancer: Up 35% in the U.S. and roughly 0.5%-1% per year in the EU.

• Male reproductive birth defects: Have doubled across western countries (EU, U.S., Japan).

• Neuro-developmental disorders now affect 1 child in 6 in the U.S.

• Autism spectrum disorder: 1 in 36 children now affected in the U.S.

• Pediatric obesity: Have quadrupled, driving type 2 diabetes in youth.

• Reduced fertility and altered sexual development (59.3% reduction in sperm count).

• IQ reductions being a major cause of over $340 billion a year in economic damage in the U.S. and $209 billion a year in the EU from endocrine disrupting chemicals.

And when we look at the current chemical production trends, it is equally as jarring.

Key Statistics from the Paper on Chemical Production and Lack of Testing

•  350,000+ synthetic chemicals and plastics listed globally.

• Production has grown 50-fold since 1950 and is projected to triple by 2050.

• Less than 20% of chemicals have been tested for toxicity, especially for infants and children.

A NEW ROADMAP FOR CHANGE

The key solutions promoted by the authors of the paper include stronger laws that require independent pre-market safety testing and post-market monitoring, chemical footprinting, investing in safer alternatives, and global policy reform and national legal frameworks for protecting children’s health.

While these recommendations are not novel and take a logical, precautionary principle approach, this roadmap differentiates itself with the following:

1) Fully Developed Playbook Published in the NEJM

The science and recommendations are both complete and have been published in the New England Journal of Medicine.

“NEJM is considered one of the best medical and public health journals in the world, and unbiased scientists will support it (the paper),” said Linda S. Birnbaum, Ph.D., scientist emeritus and former director of the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences and National Toxicology Program, and one of the paper’s authors.

As such, critics who attack the credibility of this playbook will face an uphill battle, allowing advocates to focus all of their energy on getting it into the hands of local and national politicians, and encouraging them to act.

2) Children-Focused Initiative

Given that this set of recommendations is all about protecting children, we will be hard-pressed to find anyone who will publicly argue that this is not a vitally important initiative.

3) Going After All Chemicals, Not Just One

The industry and its lobbyists are particularly adept at defending one specific chemical at a time and going after its critics or anyone who seeks to question its safety.

This playbook is not litigating against one single chemical, but rather, it is pushing for a new approach to approve and regulate all classes of chemicals.

4) Bottoms Up Approach Can Follow GMO-Labeling Model

Concurrent with the release of the paper, some of the study authors have launched the Institute for Preventive Health (IPH) to help fund and support initiatives that seek to turn the recommendations into policy.

According to Henry Rowlands, board member of IPH and founder of The Detox Project, “This blueprint for protecting children’s health and reversing the fertility crisis can lead to coordinated action at a state level, similar to the structure that the GMO-labeling movement employed more than a decade ago. It built strong momentum on the grass roots level, with California and Vermont leading the way, and the framework outlined in the paper allows everyone, including consumers, brands, investors and politicians, to get involved in this new movement in a variety of different capacities.”

SITTING IDLE IS NOT AN OPTION

With President Trump seeking to rollback regulations, pushing this roadmap through will not be an easy endeavor. However, sitting idle is no longer a choice.

“Continued unchecked increases in the production of chemicals based on fossil carbon endangers the world’s children and threatens humanity’s capacity for reproduction. It is worsening rapidly,” said lead author of the paper, Philip Landrigan, MD, the director of Boston College’s Observatory on Planetary Health.

With gratitude,

Max Goldberg, Founder

This Week's Quick Hits

Quick Hits

* Here is a running list of brands giving products to victims of the LA fires.


* David Bronner, cosmic engagement officer (CEO) of Dr. Bronner’s: An Open Letter to the Incoming Administration, Democratic Establishment and Our Divided Nation.


* Vive Organic is the only organic brand featured in Instacart’s national TV ad campaign.


* Jeremiah McElwee, a long-time senior executive at Thrive Market, has stepped down after an incredible 10-year run at the company.


* The Winter Fancy Food Show is being rebranded as Winter FancyFaire*, and it will take place in San Diego in 2026 and San Francisco in 2027. The Summer Fancy Food Show in NYC will remain as is.


* Rose Marcario, former CEO of Patagonia and partner at ReGen Ventures: How Regenerative Technologies Help Businesses and the Planet.


* In the UK, a junk food advertising ban goes into effect this October.


* Whole Foods Market is now accepting applications for its 2025 Local and Emerging Accelerator Program.


* On February 6th, Cornell University will hold the its inaugural Organic Field Crops Conference.


* 12 of the best organic hotel restaurants.


* Timothy A Wise, who has covered the Mexico GMO tortilla dispute better than anyone, is circulating a declaration condemning the trade panel ruling against Mexico’s right to keep GMO corn out of its tortillas. I have signed it.


New Organic Products

New Organic Products

Bionaturae organic pasta sauces

Pasta Sauces from Bionaturae

Bionaturae has unveiled its first-ever line of organic pasta sauces. Celebrating the essence of authentic Italian cuisine, they come in three flavors -- Marinara, Arrabbiata and Tomato & Basil -- and are available on the company's website, as well as exclusively at Whole Foods Market stores nationwide. Gluten-free, Glyphosate Residue Free certified and Non-GMO Project verified.
organic strawberry plant-based protein powder from Truvani

Strawberry Protein Powder from Truvani

The newest flavor of the organic, plant-based protein powder line from Truvani is Strawberry. The company sources its Romagna strawberries from Italy, where they are grown in open fields and are renowned for their bold flavor, aromatic richness and firm texture. Containing just eight ingredients and sweetened with monk fruit, the protein powder is gluten-free, dairy-free and soy-free.
organic maskal teff

Teff Flour and Grain from Maskal Teff

Idaho-based Maskal Teff has launched Organic Teff Grain, in ivory and brown varieties, and Organic Teff Flour. Teff, the world's smallest grain, is rich in protein, essential minerals, and soluble and insoluble fiber. Gluten-free and a climate-resilient crop, it is often used in baking or as a thickener for soups and gravy.
organic sauerkraut from flanagan farm

Sauerkraut from Flanagan Farm

Flanagan Farm has launched five new flavors of Organic Sauerkraut, including Classic, Kimchi, Beet, Dill and Roasted Garlic. With cabbage grown on a family-owned Wisconsin farm, it travels less than 75 miles north to a production plant where it begins fermenting -- part of the company's "24 hours from farm to fermentation" promise. 1% of sales is donated to the Food + Farm Exploration Center.
This Week's News Items

Weekly News Summaries

First Course
Feedstuffs

California defines Regenerative Agriculture with No Specific Reference to Toxic Pesticides

By Ann Hess

A massive victory for the chemical industry, who will now have further ammunition to co-opt this term and create greater confusion in the marketplace.

USDA

Kailee Tkacz Buller to serve as USDA Chief of Staff

Kailee Tkacz Buller recently served as the president & chief executive officer of the National Oilseed Processors Association and the Edible Oil Producers Association, in addition to having previously held numerous leadership roles across the USDA in the first Trump administration.

Center for Food Safety

EPA Report Reveals Health Impacts of Toxic 'Forever Chemicals' in Sewage Sludge

PFAS in sewage sludge applied to farmland can cause cancer and other diseases in people who (1) live near farm fields where the sludge is applied or (2) consume tainted milk, beef or other foods from these farms.

Food Dive

What CPGs Should Know About FDA’s Proposed Nutrition Info Box

By Maria Rachal

Industry sources predict required front-of-pack labeling could mean giving up key real estate in costly redesigns — or, more optimistically, an opportunity for some brands to modernize packaging.

Second Course
Supermarket News

Target sees Strong Organic Produce Sales

By Richard Mitchell

For the Minneapolis-based retailer, organic fruits and vegetables account for 20% of the retailer’s overall produce dollar sales, and organic bananas account for 33% of the company's total banana activity.

Investigate Midwest

New Senate Agriculture Committee Leadership has Extensive Ties to Industry Heavyweights

By Sky Chadde

Big Ag having such tremendous influence in D.C. makes it exceedingly challenging for organic.

IFOAM - Organics International

IFOAM approves Statement on Regenerative Agriculture

IFOAM - Organics International General Assembly overwhelmingly approved the statement “Elevating Truly Regenerative Agriculture – Statement from the Organic Movement,” providing members, partners and regenerative actors with valuable perspectives from the organic movement on current regenerative initiatives and claims.

Fresh Plaza

University of Georgia Researchers Explore Essential Oils to Improve Organic Produce Safety and Shelf Life

Essential oils, such as cinnamon bark, clove, peppermint, rosemary and thyme, are being evaluated for their antimicrobial properties and ability to form coatings that reduce dehydration and spoilage.

Third Course
Supermarket News

UNFI realigns Wholesale Business, Splits off Natural and Organic

By Chloe Riley and Bill Wilson

The move means new leadership for both natural and organic, as UNFI continues to attempt to right the ship as a company.

Food Dive

Private Label Sales Hit Record $271B in 2024

By Catherine Douglas Moran

Refrigerated items increased 7.5%, and general food and beverages saw growth of approximately 4%, according to Circana’s data.

Winetitles Media

Australia is Close to Having a Legal Definition for 'Organic'

The National Organic Standard Bill, if passed, would make Australia the final country in the OECD to create a legal definition of the word “organic”.


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This Week's Quick Hits

Quick Hits

* Here is a running list of brands giving products to victims of the LA fires.


* David Bronner, cosmic engagement officer (CEO) of Dr. Bronner’s: An Open Letter to the Incoming Administration, Democratic Establishment and Our Divided Nation.


* Vive Organic is the only organic brand featured in Instacart’s national TV ad campaign.


* Jeremiah McElwee, a long-time senior executive at Thrive Market, has stepped down after an incredible 10-year run at the company.


* The Winter Fancy Food Show is being rebranded as Winter FancyFaire*, and it will take place in San Diego in 2026 and San Francisco in 2027. The Summer Fancy Food Show in NYC will remain as is.


* Rose Marcario, former CEO of Patagonia and partner at ReGen Ventures: How Regenerative Technologies Help Businesses and the Planet.


* In the UK, a junk food advertising ban goes into effect this October.


* Whole Foods Market is now accepting applications for its 2025 Local and Emerging Accelerator Program.


* On February 6th, Cornell University will hold the its inaugural Organic Field Crops Conference.


* 12 of the best organic hotel restaurants.


* Timothy A Wise, who has covered the Mexico GMO tortilla dispute better than anyone, is circulating a declaration condemning the trade panel ruling against Mexico’s right to keep GMO corn out of its tortillas. I have signed it.


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