Michael Pollan in his new book Omnivore’s Dilemma makes the point that big companies have, more or less, hijacked the organic food business and will control the standards that, what I am now calling “so-called organic,” will be subject to. If you are interested in organic food and have some degree of belief that truly organic food is important you should consider making a small contribution to the Organic Consumer's Association.
Even without a contribution you can sign up for their very valuable e-mail here. This a sample from their newsletter detailing the take over of small, focused organic food companies:
• Kraft Foods bought small natural cereals producer Back to Nature in
2004. The company is a subsidiary of Altria Group, which also owns Phillip Morris Companies Inc., one of the largest cigarette makers in the world. Kraft also owns Boca Burger Inc.
• Odwalla Inc., which produces natural and organic fruit juices, was purchased by Coca-Cola in 2001.
• Dean Foods Co., the largest dairy company in the U.S., bought out Horizon Organic in 2003, in addition to Silk soymilk and White Wave tofu.
• Kellogg's has acquired several natural and organic brands: Kashi Cereal and Morningstar Farms.
• General Mills purchased Cascadian Farm, in 2000. The brand consists of items such as frozen fruit, vegetables, granola bars and fruit spreads. General Mills also bought out Muir Glen, which produces ketchup, tomato sauce, and salsa.
• Unilever bought out Ben & Jerry's for $326 million.
• Colgate-Palmolive Co. is purchasing Tom's of Maine, which specializes in natural oral and personal care products.
Colgate paid $100 million for Tom’s which does only $50 million of sales but is the clear market leader in the natural toothpaste market and is a well-established brand.
I was unaware until reading the newsletter that Kellogg’s owns Kashi. I’m going back to raw oats for breakfast.
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