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Wessanen was withdrawn from the stock market and is now in private ownership.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.

Visitors numbers up once again at Biofach America Latina – Bio Brazil Fair

Brazil’s organic sector continues to enjoy positive development. All the evidence was there at the Anhembi exhibition venue in São Paulo between 5 and 8 June 2019, when the exhibition pairing of Biofach America Latina – Bio Brazil Fair, held in parallel with Naturaltech, drew a total of 36,980 visitors. This figure is up 20 percent on the previous year.

New organic product line at Spar Switzerland

Spar Switzerland has launched a new line of organic products. Since mid-August, it is available in all Swiss Spar supermarkets. Our team found that it has been received very well by customers so far.

Organic Pioneer Klaus Griesbach died

The founder of one of the first ever organic stores in Germany, Klaus Griesbach died at the age of 76. He was a visionary. His theses on organic specialist trade are still valid today.

Midsona purchases Eisblümerl

With the takeover of Eisblümerl Naturkost GmbH, Midsona Deutschland GmbH (Davert) contributes to the growth strategy of the Swedish Midsona Group. The production capacities of Eisblümerl in Lauterhofen are to be expanded.

Biofach South East Asia: Successful second round

From 11 to 14 July 2019, the Impact Exhibition Center in Bangkok became the key hub for South-East Asia’s organic industry. As the promoters reported, Biofach South East Asia and Natural Expo South East Asia brought attracted 24,196 visitors, who were presented with a wide range of special display areas, high-calibre conference programme and a royal visit.

Interview: Poison Free Food and Farming 2030

In the face of the climate catastrophe and biodiversity loss, Indian environmental activist and feminist Vandana Shiva encourages global civil disobedience and calls for transition to 100 percent organic farming.

Wine against trawl fishery

Eco-sponsoring for underwater biodiversity: LaSelva helps to prevent trawl fishery off the Tuscan coast with money from the sale its organic Bio-Cantina wine.

10 key take-aways from the Sustainable Cleaning Products Summit in New York

The North American edition of the Sustainable Cleaning Products Summit took place in New York in July. Senior executives discussed pressing sustainability issues facing the detergents & home care industry. Read the 10 key take-aways.

Fermentation: A Trend in Cosmetics

Fermentation has turned into a gourmet status in recent years. And it is also being hyped in cosmetics at the moment. Especially when the creams and lotions come from Korea, which is currently considered a trendsetter in cosmetics.