Archive for February 7th, 2012

Pepsico: You’re On Your Own Re: GMO’s

07/02/2012

Pepsico, Quaker Oats & GMO: You’re On Your Own
From: Corporate Greed Chronicles

Pepsico...Just to Big for its Own Good

PepsiCo Inc. is a Fortune 500 global conglomerate with interests in the manufacturing, marketing and distribution of grain-based snack foods, beverages and other products.  PepsiCo was formed in 1965 with the merger of the Pepsi-Cola Company and Frito-Lay, Inc.  PepsiCo has since expanded from its namesake product Pepsi to a broader range of food and beverage brands, the largest of which include an acquisition of Tropicana in 1998 and a merger with Quaker Oats in 2001 – which added the Gatorade brand to its portfolio as well.
Since 1989 Pepsico has contributed more than $10 million to federal and state political campaigns, and since 1997 they have spent an additional $28 million on lobbying.  Topping their politician recipient list is former Pennsylvania House Speaker John M. Perzel, the alleged mastermind of the $13 million “Computergate” scandal that pled guilty to corruption charges and is currently awaiting sentencing.  Rick Perry comes in number two, with Ed Rendel, Barack Obama and George W. Bush rounding out the top five.
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We don’t know what Pepsico got from the money they gave to Perzel, but we do know at least one thing they are getting from their lobbying investment:  So far, it has kept GMO warning labels off of their products.
“GMO” stands for “genetically modified organism”, i.e. organisms whose genetic material has been artificially altered using genetic engineering techniques.  The USA is the largest commercial grower of genetically modified crops in the world, and at least 75% percent of the processed foods consumed in America contain GMO ingredients.
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GMOs are banned or significantly restricted in 30 other countries around the world, including Australia, Japan and all of the nations in the European Union.  But here in the Corporate States of America, consumers aren’t even given the benefit of GMO warning labels.. Read the rest of this story..

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Cereal Crimes

07/02/2012

Confused about Labels in the U.S.? You should be!

How “Natural” Claims Deceive Consumers and Undermine the Organic Label—
From: Corporate Greed & Corruption Chronicles Chronicles

A Look Down the Cereal and Granola Aisle Companies’ Marketing Techniques Intentionally Blur Line Between Natural and Organic some companies that started out organic, and built consumer loyalty as organic brands, have switched to non-organic “natural” ingredients and labeling.  Peace cereal® is an example. Companies that market “natural” foods to eco-conscious and health-conscious consumers benefit from widespread confusion between organic  and “natural.” This section details various techniques that have been used by companies in their attempt to appear to be equivalent to organics, intentionally blurring the distinction to mislead shoppers.

Companies marketing “natural” products merely pay lip service to sustainability and eco-friendliness, while undercutting truly committed organic companies.

Bait-and-switch
Some companies that started out organic, and built consumer loyalty as organic brands, have switched to non-organic “natural” ingredients and labeling. Peace Cereal® is an example  of “bait-and switch.”  In 2008, the company that owned the Peace Cereal® brand, Golden Temple, switched from organic to cheaper conventional ingredients, without  lowering its prices. At the time of the switch, the company also did not change its package design, other than eliminating the USDA Organic seal and the word “organic” from its
cereal boxes. Most egregiously, it did not change the barcode on the cereal boxes. Many retailers and shoppers were unaware of the switch until e Cornucopia Institute conducted an investigation in late 2010.
Some retailers continued to use “organic”   read the rest of this story…

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