Organic/pet food standards

[imported_Cassie]

Here is an article of interest re: the curtailment of organic food (including pet food) standards. San Francisco Chronicle, May 22, 2004.

"The changes in the National Organic Program standards, made in April, expand the use of antibiotics and hormones in organic dairy cows, allow more pesticides in the organic arsenal and for the first time let organic livestock eat potentially contaminated fishmeal. . .seafood, pet food and body care products can use 'organic' on their labels without meeting any standards at all."

http://www.commondreams.org/headlines04/0522-09.htm

I am cross posting this from another forum. I found this to be very depressing...I don't feel as though I can trust any foods to be uncontaminated by toxins... :-? I was so fired up about organic produce and meats...now, I'm back to square one again...is there no way to get away from these toxins besides raise your own animals and veggies?

[TDG]

that is truly sad.

when i moved to the US from germany, i had a major problem with all the crap that goes into almost all food products here. the use of hormone in animals farmed for meat is illegal there, and rightly so. also any other drugs are very strictly controlled and animals may not be slaughtered unti a specific time has passed to make sure the drugs have left the body and don't pose any harm.

so even tho it's often not easy to afford, i only buy organic dairy products and eggs and try to stick with at least vegetarian fed poultry and beef, if not organic.

the majority of people may still not care, but i don't want to eat (and feed!) stuff that is polluted with all kinds of things.