Anuga Horizon 2050: What will we eat tomorrow?

New impulses for the food industry: The world’s largest trade fair for food and beverages, Anuga Horizon 2050, took a closer look at our menu of the future in its exhibition.

Why crowdfunding makes sense for organic companies

In recent years, several organic companies have raised funds for investments on crowdfunding platforms. This is not only financially interesting, but also from a marketing perspective.

Market introduction: more new products are organic

Every fifth new food product or beverage introduced to the German market is organic. Particularly the share of organic products that are additionally marked as ethically produced or free from certain ingredients increased.

European Citizens’ Initiative out to save bees and farmers

The main agricultural policy decision on subsidies, limits and authorisation of pesticides are made at EU level. An alliance with the European Citizens’ Initiative (ECI) wants to apply pressure on the EU.

Oxfam-Study: poverty pay for Assam tea

The human rights organisation Oxfam has researched the conditions under which conventional black tea is produced in Assam, India. The result: poverty, extremely low wages, toxic pesticides – and certifications that do not change anything.

Sustainable Beauty Award Finalists

The finalists of the 2019 Sustainable Beauty Awards have been announced. See who is among them.

Appeal to natural cosmetics companies

Sustainability expert Dr. Ulrike Eberle appealed to the International Natural & Organic Cosmetics Conference 2019 to think holistically about raw materials – and to act quickly.

Setback for Monsanto in South Africa

Bayer subsidiary Monsanto has been trying to establish its drought-tolerant genetically engineered maize in Africa. It is intended to protect African farmers from the increasing effects of drought. But the maize does not live up to Monsanto’s promises. The South African Ministry of Agriculture has therefore denied Monsanto a cultivation permit.

Achieving Sustainable Development Goals through Organic Agriculture

Organic agriculture significantly contributes to achieving the UN Sustainable Development Goals. This was the result of a Dutch study.

FiBL study: organic palm oil is sustainable

The research institute for organic agriculture (Forschungsinstitut für Biologischen Landbau (FiBL) compared organic palm oil with oil from conventional plantations. Organic received the best marks.

Biofach India goes into its 11th round

From 7 to 9 November 2019, Biofach India will open its doors for the 11th time. The India Expo Centre (IEML) in Greater Noida, Delhi NCR will then become the gathering place for Indian and international organic industry players.

TR 4 fungus: Does good soil protect organic bananas?

The banana plant disease TR 4, which has destroyed large banana stocks in Asia, arrived in Colombia. Four plantations are affected so far, including one organic plantation. The hypermarket chain real, which has converted its banana assortment to organic, is already rejoicing that they are not affected due to the good soil of their organic banana plantations. For BanaFair Manager Rudi Pfeifer, this reasoning is unfounded.

Sustainable Cosmetics for A Circular Economy

The Sustainable Cosmetics Summit will be hosted in Paris on 4-6th November. For the first time, the executive summit will discuss practical approaches to change formulations, packaging, and consumption of cosmetics & personal care products to help prepare for a circular economy.

Food coating instead of packaging

Scientists developed edible coating for food such as fruits and vegetables, meat and cheese. This not only helps to avoid packaging waste – some of the products also have a significantly longer shelf life.

Wessanen transferred into private ownership

Wessanen was withdrawn from the stock market and is now in private ownership. US-American Charles Jobson acquired the company, reports Wessanen.

Study: Kidney damage caused by glyphosate

For years, researchers have been trying to explain the epidemic kidney diseases of agricultural workers on sugar cane plantations in Central America and rice fields in Sri Lanka. Now, an international research team sees the cause of the disease in the intensive usage of herbicides glyphosate and paraquat, to which agricultural workers are exposed without protection.

Study: How do consumers use zero-waste units in organic markets

Scientists from the University of Sustainable Development Eberswalde asked customers of two organic markets in Berlin about their experiences with the zero-waste units set up there. The conclusion is that stores have to do more to facilitate and thus support the purchase of unpacked goods.

Switzerland: Demand for organic meat increased

In Switzerland, demand for organic meat increased in the first half of the year. Nevertheless, the market share remains low.

Bernhard Irrgang new president of Natrue

The International Natural and Organic Cosmetics Association Natrue has a new president. Dr. Bernhard Irrgang, Head of Research & Development Natural and Organic Cosmetics at Weleda was unanimously elected.

EU agricultural reform fails to meet climate and sustainability targets

A research team has analysed the European Commission’s current reform proposal for the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) after 2020. The result is rather disillusioning.