12th IFOAM EU Organic Congress: Last days of registration

From 25th - 26th September, the 12th European Organic Congress will place in Vienna. Registration for the congress is still open until 15th September.

Report: USA degenerates to a dumping ground for faked organic feeds

Large quantities of organic feed continue to be delivered to the USA whose organic quality is questionable. This is the result of a report published by the Cornucopia Institute, which is closely related to the US organic movement.

Aldi Germany: Strategy against packaging waste

The German discount stores Aldi Nord and Aldi Süd want to significantly reduce packaging. The common strategy is also about unpacked and disposable bags.

Genetic engineering is not beyond the fall armyworm

A new pest is threatening agricultural yields worldwide. Now, some scientists and manufacturers are propagating genetically modified Bt-maize as a solution to the triumphant advance of the pest. Instead, holistic strategies are needed.

Primavera: Alcohol remains a preservative in organic floral waters for now

For now, Primavera has cancelled the distribution of non-alcoholic organic plant waters announced for September. Quality control results are the reason.

Bio Fach South East Asia: Successful premiere in Bangkok

Last month, the first BioFach South East Asia took place in Bangkok, Thailand. Now, the exhibition's organizers as well as the exhibitors offered a positive summary of the event.

USA: Organic Trade Association accepts BASF and Cargill as new members

The agricultural trading group Cargill and a plastics-producing subsidiary of the chemical group BASF have become members of the US Organic Trade Association (OTA).

TP Organics: Call for Innovations 2018

TP Organics calls for innovations in order to compile solutions contributing to the transformation of European food & farming systems based on organic and agroecological principles.

Italy: Organic sector shows impressive growth

Data collected by Nielsen confirm a positive trend in the Italian organic market. The numbers presented at the shareholders' meeting of AssoBio, show that organic food sales within large-scale retail exceeded 1.5 bn euros.

Canada Organic Trade Association welcomes government funding for organic sector

According to the Canada Organic Trade Association, the Canadian government is investing $8.3 mn in organic agriculture research.

Alnatura now at Supermarchés Match in France

Alnatura products are now also available in France. According to the company, over 400 Alnatura brand articles are listed in around 30 stores of the supermarket and supermarket chain Supermarchés Match.

Amsterdam: Next BioBorrel in September

On 26^th September 2018, the seventh edition of BioBorrel will be held at Pakhuis de Zwijger in Amsterdam at 6 pm.

Control authority audit: Any residue is suspicious

In January 2018, the auditors of the EU Directorate-General for Health and Food Safety reviewed a control body operating in the Dominican Republic. By their criticism, they overshoot the mark.

Sana: 30th Edition in Bologna

For the 30^th time, Sana, the international exhibition of organic and natural products, will take place at Bolognafiere from 7^th – 10^th September 2018 in Bologna.

Sonnentor: New sales plus in 2017/18

The accounting year of 2017/18 went well for Sonnentor: The organic herbal specialist once again recorded an increase in sales and invested in the future.

Nestlé USA: Misleading Non-GMO seal

By filing a lawsuit against Nestlé, a woman alleged the company of misleading consumers by using its ‘No GMO ingredients’ seal as it might be confused with the Non-GMO Project Verified Seal, reports CBS News.

Core Organic: Europe-wide research for organic farming continues

Fruit growing, animal husbandry, processing: European research into organic farming is being continued with the Core Organic Cofund programme. Seven of the eleven projects are funded by the German Government's organic and sustainability programme BÖLN.

CRISPR is not free from risks

Nature Biotechnology reported CRISPR could cause mutations and genetic damage. This new method of genetic engineering has been hyped as one of the most important breakthroughs in modern science. 

Glyphosate verdict: US court condemns Monsanto to high fine

A US court in California made a spectacular decision last week. It sentenced Bayer subsidiary Monsanto to a "compensation for pain and suffering" equivalent to EUR 254 million for a dying cancer patient.

The packaging problem and the search for an ecological solution

When it comes to packaging, the conventional food industry and the organic sector are not very far away from each other.