One of the most popular and beloved brands in the organic food industry, Harmless Harvest, surprised us with a Christmas gift that none of us wanted to receive – news that it has temporarily halted the bottling of its prized coconut water.

If you go to the company’s website, there is a long letter from the new CEO, Giannella Alvarez, eloquently saying many different things including that:

We have recently received a letter from the FDA requesting we comply with additional quality criteria to ensure consumers receive an added layer of product quality and safety from delivery into their hands.

The letter from the FDA said that there were serious violations of the company’s Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point (HACCP) plan and that “spores of Clostridium botulinum have demonstrated the ability to germinate and grow in low acid juices (such as coconut juice), producing toxin.”

According to the World Health Organization, Clostridium botulinum is a bacterium that produces dangerous toxins (botulinum toxins) under low-oxygen conditions, which can result in death.

In retrospect, this news about Harmless Harvest is not a huge surprise. Why? Read more »

Looking back on 2015, we have had some real wins, such as Agent Orange Corn being rejected by the EPA, and some real losses, such as GE-salmon being approved by the FDA.

As we enter a new year, there is a tremendous amount at stake and these are the top 5 organic food news stories that I’ll be keeping a close eye on in 2016.

GMO LABELING IN VERMONT / DARK ACT

While these are two separate issues, they are deeply connected.

In the summer of 2016, Vermont’s mandatory GMO-labeling bill is scheduled to go into effect. If this actually happens, it will be a watershed moment for the organic movement. Read more »

On the first Wednesday of every other month, I have a column called Wednesdays at Whole Foods. It showcases the most interesting news, exclusive products, store events, and happenings at the company.

A SIGN OF THINGS TO COME?

(Photos courtesy of Mendocino Farms)

In October, Whole Foods Market made a very interesting strategic move – it took a minority stake in Mendocino Farms, an 11-unit, healthy fast-casual sandwich chain based in Los Angeles. Read more »

Here are five important organic news stories to know about.

1 – CANCER CAUSING FEMININE PRODUCTS?

If you are a woman, this is an absolute must-read piece of news.

As I have written about in the past, the World Health Organization’s International Agency for Review of Cancer declared that glyphosate – the primary ingredient in Monsanto’s bestselling weedkiller Roundup – was a “probable carcinogen” and linked to cancer in humans. Read more »

TODAY IS THE LAST DAY TO COMMENT – PLEASE TAKE ACTION IMMEDIATELY. 

Recently, the World Health Organization’s International Agency for Review of Cancer declared that glyphosate – the primary ingredient in Monsanto’s bestselling weedkiller Roundup – was a “probable carcinogen” and linked to cancer in humans.

Each year more than 280 million pounds of glyphosate are sprayed on farmers’ fields across the country, and the U.S. Geological Survey has found glyphosate in more than 75% of air, rain and stream samples taken across the Midwest.

In addition to being linked to cancer, numerous studies have connected glyphosate with liver and kidney disease, and being responsible for wiping out more than 90% of the monarch butterfly population. Read more »

I am thrilled to share with you today my newest organic food venture called First Bite!

So, what is First Bite?

First Bite is a weekly curated email that will tell you about what is new and interesting in the food world.

One email per week, five links per email. Nothing more.

And it can be read in seconds.

In each email, you will get our (and our guest curators’) best ideas of food products, drinks, restaurants, juice bars, events, recipes, apps, books, podcasts, and movies, all with a very heavy emphasis on organic and sustainable. Read more »

(Photo: McDonald’s Germany)

Is the tide really starting to turn in the food world?

Or, is it that McDonald’s is just tired of closing new stores and reporting horrible numbers – quarter after quarter – to Wall Street?

Frankly, I could not care less about its motivation for doing so, but the fact that McDonald’s has just unveiled its first organic hamburger is a seriously significant event.

Next week in Germany, the fast food chain will be launching the McB, which will contain a hamburger patty made from antibiotic-free, humanely-raised, organic beef.

There will be two different versions of its organic hamburger (varying types of cheese, buns, and lettuce) and customers can vote on which one they like the best. Read more »