October
2008
“Good for you”
Organic yields higher in developing countries
After last week’s mention of a University of Michigan study that organic yields are higher in developing countries, it was interesting to see the release this week of a major UN study reaching the same conclusions. An analysis of 114 projects in 24 African countries showed that yields more than doubled when organic, or near-organic practices were used. The study showed improved soil fertility, better retention of water and resistance to drought, as well as social benefits.
With developing country’s currencies weakening in the current financial situation, and the cost of herbicides and pesticides, as well as patented seeds for farmers using GM crops, reaching record levels, chemical farming makes less and less sense.
Organic certification
The study also showed the barrier that organic certification creates. While most African farmers are effectively organic, they cannot benefit from selling their goods as organic since organic certification is too expensive, and usually administered by European organisations.
This is one of the prime reasons we support non-certified organic suppliers. Small and community farms that grow according to strict organic principles, but cannot afford certification, are equally, if not more so, in need of our support. Remember that you can click on any of our products for more information, including the organic certification details, and, in most cases, much more detail about the product.
Double-standards
Developing counties also suffer double standards from multinational food companies when it comes to marketing. Nestle were recently caught out showing an ad for Maggi’s noodles, claiming that it helps build strong bones and muscles. The reason they were caught out? Ad ad intended for Bangladesh was shown on British TV, where the claims rightly caused an outcry. Unfortunately, if the ad had been shown in Bangladesh, as intended, their claims would probably have gone unchecked.
In developed countries, with strict legislation, Nestle could not get away with false marketing. In developing countries, with poor consumer protection legislation, and with high levels of illiteracy, where people don’t read or understand the labelling, they get away with it.
But even reading the label is sometimes not enough. Taking bone and muscle-building Maggi’s Noodles as an example again, the product lists E627 (Sodium guanylate,a flavourant) and E150d (Sulphite ammonia caramel, a caramel flavouring), on the label.
In spite of the labelling claiming that the product is suitable for vegetarians, E627 is partly made from fish, and E150d can be made from maize, which is usually genetically-modified. Neither of these facts are volunteered on the label.
South Africa fortunately has relatively good consumer protection legislation, and, if the GM lobbiests don’t get their way, even better legislation on the way. I remember the outcry two years ago when Kellogs were forced to remove their claims that Coco Pops and the like were “healthy mind and body development.” I always found it strange that people could believe that what’s effectively sugared air could be healthy, but enough people said they felt betrayed at the time that, clearly, labelling is believed, and it’s important to make sure it’s accurate.
N&O Exhibition and country-wide deliveries
We had a great, if frenzied, time at the Natural and Organic exhibition this year, and enjoyed meeting many of you. Coming from this, we hope to have more new products appearing on the site, as well as closer and more convenient collection points for many of you. As announced at the exhibition, we’ll be launching countrywide deliveries (of dry products only!) very soon. If you’ve joined from upcountry, or have friends and family elsewhere, look out for an announcement in the next few days.
Administrator Vacancy
The co-op has a vacancy for an administrator, starting as soon as possible. This is a part-time position, three days a week. Click here for more information.
To order, head on over to www.ethical.org.za.
Have a great week,
the Co-op team
