New Admin at USDA steps up to end organic corruption
EXCERPT:
Cornucopia NewsNew Administration at USDA Steps Up to End Organic Corruption
April 27th, 2010
Industry Watchdog / Washington Post Investigation Brings Down Old Leadership

Documents obtained through the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), by The Cornucopia Institute and shared with the Washington Post, indicated that Robinson, after meeting with Jay Friedman, a lawyer and lobbyist with the powerful Washington law firm of Covington Burling, rescinded a ruling made by USDA career civil servants who found the inclusion of synthetic oils in organic infant formula to be illegal.
“Justice prevailed in this matter but it took a change in the administration in Washington to make this happen,” said Mark A. Kastel, Codirector of The Cornucopia Institute.

Cornucopia, an organic industry watchdog, first investigated the use of these “novel” nutritional oils, derived from soil fungus and algae, in infant formula, because they are extracted using a neurotoxic chemical, hexane, which is explicitly banned in organic production. “We couldn’t understand why the USDA was allowing this to happen,” Kastel said.

Dr. Barbara Robinson corruption at USDA
EXCERPT:
Promiseland became the focus of industry watchdog Cornucopia's investigation into giant factory farms, milking thousands of cows, that were allegedly operating illegally. Promiseland sold thousands of dairy cows to giant factory dairy farms owned by Dean Foods (Horizon Organic), Natural Prairie Dairy in Texas and Aurora Dairy based in Colorado. Aurora and Natural Prairie supply private-label, store-brand milk for Wal-Mart, Costco, Target and major supermarket chains such as HEB, Safeway and Harris Teeter.

Documents secured under the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) by The Cornucopia Institute indicate that the initial investigation was squashed for political reasons by Dr. Barbara Robinson, who until recently directed the USDA’s organic program.

Promiseland Judgement
EXCERPT:

Corrected Decision

UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
BEFORE THE SECRETARY OF AGRICULTURE
OFPA Docket No. 08-0134
In re: PROMISELAND LIVESTOCK, LLC, and
ANTHONY J. ZEMAN,

Respondents

DECISION AND ORDER

Preliminary Statement

On June 4, 2008, Lloyd C. Day, the Administrator of the Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS), initiated this disciplinary proceeding against the Respondents Promiseland Livestock, LLC (Promiseland) and Anthony J. Zeman by filing a Complaint alleging willful violations of the Organic Foods Production Act of 1990, as amended (7 U.S.C. §6501, et seq.) (the "Act" or "OFPA") and the National Organic Program (the "NOP") regulations (7 C.F.R. §§205.1-205.690 (the "Regulations" or the "NOP Regulations").

On June 30, 2008, Counsel for the Respondents filed a Notice of Appearance1; an Answer and Statement of Defenses; a Motion to Strike and to Dismiss for Lack of Jurisdiction; and a Request to Establish a Briefing Schedule. Docket Entries 3-5. On July

1 During the initial contacts by counsel with AMS, the Respondents were represented by William J. Friedman, Esquire, of Covington & Burling, LLP, Washington, D.C. Sometime prior to the filing of the Respondents’ Answer, Friedman left Covington & Burling (subsequently returning) and eventually withdrew as the Respondents’ attorney. As noted by Complainant, Friedman is frequently referred to by his middle name ("Jay"). Fn. 4, Complainant’s Proposed Findings of Fact, Conclusions of Law and Order and Brief in Support Thereof. On June 9, 2009, Mark Mansour, Esquire of Bryan Cave LLP filed his Notice of Appearance and has represented the Respondents at the hearings and in post hearing matters.
PETER M. DAVENPORT

Administrative Law Judge
Copies to: Babak Rastogoufard, Esquire
Mark Mansour, Esquire
Hearing Clerk’s Office
U.S. Department of Agriculture
1400 Independence Avenue SW
Room 1031, South Building
Washington, D.C. 20250-9203
202-720-4443
Fax: 202-720-9776

Healthy Eating and Nutrition News
Healthy Eating & Nutrition News
Latest health, healthy eating, nutrition news, data, studies & research from around the world for nutritionists and those interested in healthier lifestyles.

Tuesday, March 14, 2006
Vegetarian EPA / DHA- Algae Omega 3 World First.
Vegetarian EPA / DHA - Sound Ethical Investment for Diet, Health & Nutrition

World's First Vegetarian DHA / EPA Product

Hot on the heels of her helping to develop what’s probably the world’s healthiest dairy free, sugar free chocolate (with shelled hemp for added essential fats and amino acids) Harley Street Nutritionist Yvonne Bishop-Weston is now helping to launch another world exclusive, a Vegetarian and Vegan docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) product.

Following many years of research and development, scientists in Europe have succeeded in developing a state of the art natural extraction process to extract DHA and EPA from a secret strain of pure algae.

Yvonne says “ There are very real concerns about toxicity in fish oils and even the ultra conservative British Nutrition Foundation admit that the idea of obtaining enough DHA and EPA from threatened fish stocks is unsustainable.”

“Studies show that, probably due to modern diets and lifestyles, many people’s body’s conversion of omega 3 LNA (alpha linolenic acid) to EPA and DHA is very hit and miss especially for DHA and especially in men.”

Algal DHA has been shown to match fish’s ability to increase DHA in the body , meanwhile fish based DHA and EPA has been shown to out perform LNA rich foods such as flax.

Although nutritionists struggle to agree the exact ratios of essential fats most of them agree that the levels of DHA / EPA should be balanced.

The discovery of a vegetarian EPA DHA product that offers a credible alternative is a huge leap forward in ethical health and nutrition.

Vegetarians, Vegans, and those with strong ethical, environmental and religious beliefs should be particularly delighted with this innovative product but it also offers beneficial long-term ramifications for the natural health industry at large.

Editors Notes

http://www.vegetarian-dha-epa.co.uk
http://www.foodsforlife.org.uk
http://www.news.foodsforlife.org
http://www.water4.net/press-release.htm
Posted by Tony - FoodsforLife at 10:05 PM