Re: Whole Foods Market Article

[Guest guest]

I remember when our WF first opened I went in there and they had all

these little tags all over the place saying they didn't have anything

that contained partially hydrogenated oils and I picked something up

and read the label... yup, partially hydrogenated oils. I love WF

but you certainly can't expect to believe everything they say

there. I still read labels, no matter where I am.

Cheryl

On Apr 18, 2008, at 6:04 PM, isoaa@... wrote:

>

> The Whole Story About Whole Foods Market

>

> Many organic food fans trust stores that sell largely organic produce.

> However, the merger of Whole Foods and Wild Oats may be a sign that

> it's time for

> the rose-colored glasses to come off.

>

> It is growing harder to make the case that shopping at Whole Foods is

> socially commendable. Whole Foods has faced well-deserved criticism

> for its effects

> on the environment, and its employees.

> Whole Foods is an " industrial organic " company that has done away

> with the

> local distribution that was the center of the 1960's back-to-nature

> movement.

> There is nothing environmentally friendly about Whole Food's

> practice of

> importing asparagus in from Argentina in January.

> Whole Foods is also the second largest union-free food retailer, right

> behind Wal-Mart. Whole Foods has taken the position that unions are

> not valid.

>

> Many of Whole Foods’ canned or boxed items contain MSG, even though

> it is on

> Whole Foods list of unacceptable food ingredients. Their dairy

> products may

> or may not contain rBGH.

> Whole Foods is a Fortune 500 Company that owes its allegiance to its

> shareholders. It is exploiting a niche market, and has now cleared

> the field of

> major competitors, leaving it free to raise prices and reduce quality.

>

> Sources:

> * _Natural News March 25, 2008_

> (http://www.naturalnews.com/z022881.html)

>

> (http://store.mercola.com/b/abmc.aspx?b=209 & z=2)

>

> Dr. Mercola's Comments:

> _Whole Foods_ (http://v.mercola.com/blogs/publi

> c_blog/Great-Interview-With-Whole-Foods-CEO-and--

> Pollan-7180.aspx) , the largest premium natural and

> organic supermarket chain in the United States, first entered into

> a merger

> plan with its chief rival Wild Oats in February 2007. Their plans

> were halted

> by the Federal Trace Commission (FTC) at the time, who contended

> that the

> merger violated federal antitrust laws by eliminating the substantial

> competition between the two close competitors. They also said it

> would give Whole

> Foods unilateral market power resulting in higher prices and

> reduced quality,

> service and choice for consumers.

> Well, money spoke the loudest again, it would seem.

> Certainly, Whole Foods Market has helped bring organic healthy and

> unprocessed foods to the mainstream market, but, like most large

> corporations, it will

> have to contend with its shareholders, even if that means cutting

> corners

> here and there in order to make a profit.

> Are Large Corporations Friend or Foe in the Organic Market?

> The creation of the organic market niche is a double-edged sword.

> On the one

> hand, the involvement of large corporations has turned organic food

> into a

> $16-billion business, with sales growing by as much as 20 percent

> per year..

> What this means for many Americans is access to more organic foods,

> likely at

> lower prices.

>

> Large corporations also have big advertising budgets, which means

> the idea

> of eating foods free from pesticides, genetically modified

> ingredients and

> raised in sustainable, humane ways is getting a lot of publicity,

> whereas just a

> couple of decades ago it was next to unheard of.

> The downside, however, might outweigh the benefits.

> Because as soon as big corporations dip their hands into a project, it

> automatically becomes about maximizing profits by churning out the

> largest amount

> of product for the least expense. If this means sacrificing some

> ethics and

> skimping on some quality, that’s a price they’re willing to pay.

>

> As a result of organic going mainstream in national super-chains

> such as

> Wal-Mart and Whole Foods, the term “organic” has virtually lost its

> meaning,

> and it is no longer a guarantee that the food is any better for

> either you or

> the environment.

> You can now buy organic versions of ice cream, potato chips,

> crackers, soda

> and just about anything else, but _these foods are STILL not good

> for you_

> (http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2003/03/26/

> organic-foods-part

> -one.aspx) ; they’re still junk foods with little or no real

> nutritional

> value. And, from an environmental aspect, at least one study has

> found that the

> transportation of organic produce causes an _environmental impact

> large

> enough to cancel out any environmental benefits_

> (http://v.mercola.com/blogs/public_blog/Why-You-re-Better-Off-

> Buying-Local-Than-Organic-19673.aspx) .

> So, when you take all these factors into account, buying local is

> often

> _better than buying organic_

> (http://v.mercola.com/blogs/public_blog/Why-You-re-Better-Off-

> Buying-Local-Than-Organic-19673.aspx) , because you get fresher

> foods that didn't use up excess fuel to be transported long

> distances. They’re

> also likely to be somewhat less expensive since the rising fuel costs

> inevitably get passed down the line to the end consumer.

> How to Get Your Money’s Worth When Shopping at Whole Foods Market

>

> A _2007 Money Magazine article_

> (http://money.cnn.com/galleries/2007/moneymag/0706/

> gallery.whole_foods.moneymag/index.html) highlighted the problems of

> Whole Foods Market and gave several pointers to keep in mind, so

> you don’t

> end up spending your whole paycheck on not-so-great foods. Among them:

>

> * Whole Foods offers only a limited supply of local produce, meaning

> the environmental damage it causes in transportation is just as

> high as most

> other supermarkets. Even in summer months, only 30 percent of the

> produce in

> your average Whole Foods store is grown locally. On the upside,

> they’re

> clearly labeled, which can help you in your purchasing decisions.

>

> * Although Whole Foods doesn't carry products with trans fats or

> artificial coloring, everything else is fair game, including MSG

> and rBGH, so

> being a vigilant label reader is still a necessity. For a great

> resource on how

> to find hidden MSG, please see the website _www.MSGMYTH.com_

> (http://www.msgmyth.com/) for detailed listings.

>

> * The in-store prepared foods do list ingredients, but there's no

> nutritional information provided.

> It remains to be seen whether Whole Foods’ CEO Mackey holds

> true to his

> word to develop a new multi-tiered system for rating organic farms

> and meat

> producers this year, as _he discussed it with Pollan_

> (http://v.mercola.com/blogs/public_blog/Great-Interview-with-Whole-

> Foods-CEO-and--Polla

> n-7180.aspx) in February 2007. Mackey said he’d like to create more

> transparency in the food chain, which he believes could become the

> basis of a new

> national system.

> Why and When to Buy Organic

> Conventionally grown food is often tainted with a multitude of

> _chemical

> residues_

> (http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2006/11/28/the-

> dirty-dozen-fruits-and-vegetables-containing-the-most-

> pesticides.aspx) , including

> _chemical fertilizers_

> (http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2002/06/08/

> toxic-waste-part-two.aspx) , _insecticides_

> (http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2005/05/19/

> insecticides.aspx) , and _herbicides_

> (http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2004/07/24/

> herbicides-water

> ..aspx) . These pesticides can cause a wide variety of health

> problems,

> including:

> * Neurotoxicity

> * Disruption of your endocrine system

> * Cancer

> * Immune system suppression

> * Male infertility and _miscarriages in women_

> (http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2001/02/28/

> pesticides-miscarriage.aspx)

> However, you can easily overspend on purchasing organic now that

> everyone is

> jumping on the organic bandwagon, so let me give you some tips on

> how to

> prioritize your spending.

> Meats and Poultry -- Since animal products tend to bioaccumulate

> toxins,

> concentrating them to far higher concentrations than are typically

> present in

> vegetables, it would make sense to make sure all your meat choices are

> organic.

>

> When choosing organic beef, you should also go the additional step

> and make

> certain the cows are_ grass-fed exclusively_

> (http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2007/11/10/at-

> last-new-rules-set-for-grass-fed-meat.aspx)

> , especially the three months before they are slaughtered, as this

> is when

> they are typically given grains to fatten them up.

> For chickens, it would be important to make sure they are cage-

> free, or

> free-range, chickens.

> Fresh produce – When it comes to produce, buying local may be more

> important

> than buying organic since freshness is so very important. You’re

> better off

> buying fresh, vibrant, conventionally grown produce than wilted

> organic.

> As a side note on this issue, I am currently in the process of

> examining

> some VERY interesting technology that can destroy all the pesticide

> residue on

> produce in less than a second. It is really amazing, relatively

> inexpensive

> and may become a virtual necessity for all of us. I hope to report

> on this by

> the end of the year.

>

> That said, organic produce has been shown to have a much _higher

> nutrient-content _

> (http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2005/04/13/

> organic-diet.aspx) than conventional fresh produce, which should be

> a pretty good

> motivator to locate organic produce that has also been grown

> locally. On ave

> rage, conventional produce has only 83 percent of the nutrients of

> organic

> produce.

> Personal care products – As reported in the article above, many

> personal

> care products contain ingredients listed on Whole Foods’

> unacceptable food

> ingredients’ list. Remember: if it’s not safe to eat, it’s not safe

> to put on

> your skin either as it is absorbed directly into your blood stream.

>

> An additional concern that was recently raised by the Organic

> Consumer’s

> Association is that a whopping 50 percent of “natural” and

> “organic” products

> were found to be contaminated with 1,4 Dioxane – a petrochemical

> carcinogen.

> The results of their testing of 100 “organic” personal care

> products are

> _listed on their website_

> (http://www.organicconsumers.org/bodycare/DioxaneResults08.cfm) and

> worth checking out to make sure you’re actually getting what

> you think you’re paying for.

>

> The only way to ensure your personal care product is truly organic

> is to

> look for the USDA Organic seal, which certifies that it complies

> with organic

> standards and is free of petrochemicals.

> Essentially, although you may spend more money on organic food and

> personal

> care products, your payoff of good health should more than make up

> for it –

> and reduce your health care costs in the future.

> It makes sense to me to invest a little bit more now so I can avoid

> paying

> LARGE hospital bills later on, but more importantly, I can avoid the

> disability and dysfunction from not being healthy. (If you don’t

> believe me on this

> one you simply must see the _video of J. Fox_

> (http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/

> 2007/10/11/9663.aspx) to show you what is possible

> if you consistently violate this principle.)

> Where to Buy Organic and Locally-Grown Food

> To assist you on your way to _Taking Control of Your Health_

> (http://www.takecontrolofyourhealth.com/) , here are some great

> resources to help you obtain

> wholesome food that supports not only you, but the environment as

> well.

> Combined with the tips on how to prioritize your spending, these

> resources can

> help you to put the very best food money can buy on your table.

> Farmers’ Markets

> * Farmers' Markets -- _www.ams.usda.gov/farmersmarkets_

> (http://www.ams.usda.gov/farmersmarkets)

> A national listing of farmers' markets.

> * Local Harvest -- _www.localharvest.org_

> (http://www.localharvest.org/)

> Find farmers' markets, family farms, and other sources of

> sustainably grown

> food in your area.

> * Eat Well Guide: Wholesome Food from Healthy Animals --

> _www.eatwellguide.org_ (http://www.eatwellguide.org/)

> The Eat Well Guide is a free online directory of sustainably raised

> meat,

> poultry, dairy, and eggs from farms, stores, restaurants, inns, and

> hotels,

> and online outlets in the United States and Canada.

> * _Chicago's Green City Market_

> (http://www.chicagogreencitymarket.org/) -- Chicago's only

> sustainable market with the highest quality locally

> farmed products. May through October. (Wednesdays and Saturdays, 7

> a.m. to 1:30

> p.m.)

>

> Community Supported Agriculture programs (CSA’s)

> * Alternative Farming Systems Information Center, Community Supported

> Agriculture (CSA) -- _http://www.nal.usda.gov/afsic/csa/_

> (http://www.nal.usda.gov/afsic/csa/)

> * Weston A. Price Foundation -- _www.westonaprice.org_

> (http://www.westonaprice.org/)

> * FoodRoutes -- _www.foodroutes.org_ (http://www.foodroutes.org/)

> The FoodRoutes “Find Good Food” map can help you connect with local

> farmers to find the freshest, tastiest food possible. On their

> interactive map, you

> can find a listing for local farmers, CSA's, and markets near you.

> * Community Involved in Sustaining Agriculture (CISA) --

> _www.buylocalfood.com_ (http://www.buylocalfood.com/)

>

> Grass-Fed Beef Ranchers

> * Panorama Meats – Black Angus and Red Angus --

> _www.panoramameats.com_

> (http://www.panoramameats.com/)

> * Country Natural Beef – Hereford and Angus --

> _www.countrynaturalbeef.com_ (http://www.countrynaturalbeef.com/)

> * Tallgrass Beef -- _www.tallgrassbeef.com_

> (http://www.tallgrassbeef.com/)

> * Niman Ranch – A network of more than 600 independent farmers and

> ranchers, and probably the easiest to find locally --

> _www.nimanranch.com_

> (http://www.nimanranch.com/)

> * Pacific Village – Entirely grass-fed cattle since 2002 --

> _www.newseasonsmarket.com_ (http://www.newseasonsmarket.com/)

>

> Related Articles:

>

> _The Selling of Organic_

> (http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2008/3/20/the-

> selling-of-organic.aspx)

>

> _Which Giant Corporation Owns Your Favorite Organic Food Brand?_

> (http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2008/04/01/

> which-giant-corporation-own

> s-your-favorite-organic-food-brand.aspx)

>

> _Cracking Down on Organic Food Fraud_

> (http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2008/02/23/

> cracking-down-on-organic-food-fraud.aspx)

>

> (http://articles.mercola.com/sites/Newsletter/NewsLetter-Archive.aspx)

> _Next Article » _

> (http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2008/04/17/are-

> cell-phones-more-dangerous-than-smoking.aspx)

> Did you find this article interesting?

> Community Comments ( 186 )

>

> (http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2008/04/17/the-

> whole-story-about-whole-foods-market.aspx#commentfocus)

>

>

>

>

>

>

> Please

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>

> HealthCoachG

> [ Joined on 03/08 ] [ Posted on March 28, 2008 ] 50 Points

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> Apprentice User

> It's time for people to stop expecting corporations, manufactures,

> the FDA,

> the EPA, the USDA, etc etc etc to look out for the consumers best

> interest. Whole Foods Market is simply providing a place to

> purchase organic and

> whole foods, supplements and clean products. I've never seen any

> where in the

> store that Whole Foods is in business to do all the filtering for

> you, and you

> can safely consume everything in the store. A large corporation

> like this

> has to think of the bottom line first.

>

> The popularity of Whole Foods is certianly a message that people

> want to eat

> healthy and this message should be taken seriously by our

> regulating bodies.

> However, as unfortunate as this may sound (since marketers are

> sneaky), it

> is up to the consumer to understand what they're buying and

> consuming. Maybe

> some day this will change, but for now, we need to know how to read

> a label

> and know where our food is coming from (at least whole foods tells

> you the

> veg came form Argentina and you can vote with your dollar).

> [ _Reply_ (javascript:window.alert('You are not authorized to Post

> comment.

> Please login or join to continue.')) ]

>

> 4Hand Healthy

> [ Joined on 06/07 ] [ Posted on March 28, 2008] 6 Points

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> Apprentice User

> Amen!!

> geminga

> [ Joined on 03/08 ] [ Posted on March 30, 2008] 10 Points

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> Novice User

> I thought the FDA,EPA,USDA were paid from public dollars to protect

> public interest, so that we would not have to wonder if there are

> harmful

> ingredients in the foods we consume. The fact is that certain

> chemicals in foods,

> dairy and meat have a consensus from those with no conflict of

> interest to be

> harmful to humans. In fact you are probably better off eating and

> buying food

> in a Eurpoean country than here in the states. Untill unbridled free

> wheeling of corporate behavior, unchecked by non accountable

> publicly funded

> agencies became corrupt the American food supply was among the

> safest in the world.

> I feel strongly that the public agencies we pay for need to divest

> of their

> corporate bedfellows and start their love affair with the American

> people. It

> is we not they that by law they must protect. About the only path

> to that

> end as far as I can determine is term limits of politicians.

>

> Barbiec1953

> [ Joined on 06/06 ] [ Posted on April 1, 2008] 15 Points

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> Novice User

> I think that this one of the sad results of a school system that

> encourages memorization of facts and teaches to the test and in the

> process does

> away with critical thinking. We need to learn that life is like a

> chess game

> and we need to consider ten steps ahead. If I do this or eat that the

> consequences may not show up for twenty years.

> I met a diabetic coach who told me that most people don't realize

> that they

> have type II diabetes for ten years and that damage starts being

> done the

> moment you have it. We need to read labels and start learning about

> our bodies.

> God gave us an amazingly intricate and

> complicated body that is a universe in and of itself. I know that

> we have a

> lot more to learn... it was only just recently that they discovered

> that the

> appendix does have a job, DUH !!! Why would God put useless things

> in our

> body ? Dr Oz on Oprah Winfrey has started to teach us about our

> organs and

> Discovey channel has a lot of good programs teaching us about

> muscles and

> organs. So let's teach ourselves and

> our children critical thinking and responsibility and not always

> depend on

> marketing and advertising which only lulls us sleep in many cases.

>

> Jonny_

> [ Joined on 01/08 ] [ Posted on April 1, 2008] 21 Points

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> Apprentice User

> Government schools are doing exactly what they were designed to do:

> dumb

> down the masses and indoctrinate.

> Non-Big Pharma

> [ Joined on 12/07 ] [ Posted on April 17, 2008] 7 Points

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> Novice User

>

> Right, you are! Folks, it's time you learn that the government allows

> certain levels of contaminants in your food, water, etc. Don't

> believe it? Check

> out the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Title 21, Part 130 (Food

> Standards:

> General). Do a Google (or whatever search engine you like) search

> on " CFR

> or Code of Federal Regulations. It is in your best interest to read

> and learn

> about the CFR as it applies to you (i.e. read between the lines!!). In

> 21CFR there are 169 subparts. Just skimming the subpart titles

> should be a

> little bit scary! As you read the CFR titles, you'll discover that

> the gov't

> allows some toxins and contaminants in food/water. Albeit small

> amounts, but

> things like PCBs, rat excrement, bugs and bug parts, heavy metals,

> etc. In one

> of the subparts there is a table listing many, many contaminents

> and the

> levels that the FDA considers to be " safe " . How much inspection do

> you think

> occurs? How many USDA and FDA agents do you think there are?

> Farmers Markets are

> probably the best source for food especially if they make efforts

> to be

> " organic " . I forgot to mention, the FDA also allows for levels of

> pesticides

> that are " acceptable " in your food supply.

> brinogordon

> [ Joined on 01/08 ] [ Posted on April 17, 2008] 8 Points

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> Novice User

>

> I really don't understand the Whole Foods bashing. I shop there. I

> find lots

> of organic produce and staples (beans, rice) sold at discount under

> their

> store label. They aren't tricking me into buying anything I don't

> want. Read

> the labels. They've got the same stuff as our crappy local health

> food stores,

> just unexpired dates and much, much superior selection. No one is

> forcing

> you to shop there.

> Corporate organic is a nice resting point in between conventional and

> locally grown organic. Local is great, if you want a small slice of

> the populace to

> have access to organic food. Even with concessions in the organic

> standards

> for big producers, you're saving millions of pounds of pesticides

> from the

> food chain, and you're saving millions of pounds of synthetic

> fertilizer from

> the ecosystem.

> Dissing Whole Foods for using diesel trucks to ship around organic

> produce

> is silly. The infrastructure of the US is the result of years of

> government

> planning gone wrong.

> Now, a response to the requisite public school bashing. We have

> lots and

> lots and lots of great public schools. Find one you like, rent a

> house there,

> send your kids. Then, when your kids get home, talk to them and

> teach them more

> stuff. The resources in a good, modern, public school are something

> that

> most kids should not be missing out on. There are severe problems with

> inner-city schools and some schools in poor districts, no doubt,

> but in those cases

> you're often asking a school to be a substitute parent, which will

> always fail.

>

> mrose

> [ Joined on 09/06 ] [ Posted on April 17, 2008] 2 Points

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> Novice User

>

> TupeloHoney: calling someone a Jack Ass just because you disagree with

> them, only brings to attention your inability to articulate your

> disagreement in

> an intelligent manner. You, at some level, are seeing something in

> Jonny,

> that you see in yourself.

> C Ed

> [ Joined on 06/07 ] [ Posted on April 17, 2008] 1 Points

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> Savvy User

>

> geminga, you need to buy, borrow, whatever, the book, " The

> Principle "

> which explains a number of things about why things go the way that

> they do..

> A few years ago I attended the early performance of a show by

> political &

> social commentator Mort Sahl, who said in his discourse that

> " ...there doesn't

> seem to be much difference between the two major political parties

> in this

> country anymore... " refering to the nuts on the Left and neocons on

> the

> so-called Right. So I visited him between shows in his dressing

> room. After

> standard pleasantries I reminded him what he'd said and told him

> there's a big

> difference: The Republicrats are GENERALLY faithful to their wives,

> and the

> Democlicans think that's abolutely hilarious. " (He thought it was

> very funny.)

> The point I want to make here is what I forgot to tell him then:

> " The other

> main difference is that the Republicrats generally come from

> business, to

> visit briefly in government, in order to improve business, while

> the Democlicans

> have no business in government whatsoever. " Whether or not you

> think that's

> funny, what the point is, is that Big Business has an annoying

> habit of

> hijacking governmental regulation, to the point where you could say

> that EPA

> stands for Economic Protection for Alcoa. To put it another way,

> Socialism is

> where government invests in and controls Business, and its inverse

> Capitalism is

> where Business invests in and controls government. Like the man said,

> " Power corrupts, and absolute power corrupts absolutely. "

> As for term limits, they are utterly ineffective because they send no

> message, carry no force, and simply become part of the background

> scheme of things.

> There is a movement starting called VAIP: Vote Against Incumbent

> Politicians. The idea is, every election, if things haven't been

> markedly corrected

> since last election, " throw ALL the bums out. " VAIP 'em. Sure a few

> good

> ones will go out too, but they were completely ineffective anyway,

> so what good

> were they really?

> NieeMA

> [ Joined on 06/06 ] [ Posted on April 17, 2008] 5 Points

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>

> Apprentice User

>

> I agree with most of the comments from the dumbing down of the

> masses, to

> the understanding of the need to be more involved in our own lives

> in general.

> I think that having all of that information, we need to do a big

> campaign

> regarding local foods and the value of it!

> If you get the local farmers to grow the food and support that

> decision,

> things will turn around for many industries.

> I lived in St. MN where there were coops and two Whole Foods

> within

> driving distance..( that was back in 2002 when the price of gas was

> not as

> high!!!)

> I now live in South Dakota and I shop with local farmers. I can

> tell them

> what I want and how much and they grow it for us. We have also

> turned our big

> yard into a cornucopia of different types of fruits and veggies.

> It is really not hard work once you get an agreement with the rabbits.

> We get raw milk locally and my husband makes fresh yogurt weekly.

> Now I know that is not what all of you will do...some live in

> apartments and

> such but I am sure we all know someone that has the room and we can

> share

> the time to work, just like community gardens. There are other ways

> like

> gardening out of pots...use your imagination.

> When I realised organic food sometimes is put in a warehouse and is

> gassed

> to stop the bugs and rodents from getting to the food until it gets

> to the

> store. They also gas to reduce spoilage. I went crazy, all of that

> work

> getting good food to have it messed up!

> I buy locally all veggies and our meat too.

> We have a butcher that gets his meat from places he knows has great

> quality.

> He makes things using-natural spices to get the taste right. He

> uses no

> MSG or anything that is harmful.

> If we band together as a group of people that: gets good food, has

> no need

> for the Dr., will settle for nothing less we can change things from

> the inside

> out.

> Let the children experence real food out of the ground, not off the

> shelf.

> If you think the farmes are far away, just drive and not use the

> freeway,

> they are there!

> skysi

> [ Joined on 11/07 ] [ Posted on April 17, 2008] 1 Points

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> Novice User

>

> All the troubles in this country, including the one we are

> discussing stems

> from the mixed economy and government regulating business, ridiculous

> anti-trust laws and absence of political philosophy that would

> value personal

> liberties and freedom of enterprise above all. We need a true

> laissez-fare

> economy!

> Mom2BandC

> [ Joined on 07/07 ] [ Posted on April 17, 2008] 2 Points

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> Novice User

>

> The FDA, EPA and USDA are indeed paid for with public dollars, But

> unfortunately they do not act on behalf of the public interest per

> se, instead they're

> accountable to whom ever is in power.

> As for Whole Foods or any store, we need to be proactive - read

> labels and

> choose foods, supplements, personal care, cleaning products, etc.

> that don't

> have ingredients that may be harmful. Bottom line, it's up to us.

>

> Wilde1

> [ Joined on 10/07 ] [ Posted on April 17, 2008] 5 Points

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>

> Novice User

>

> I agree that checking labels is important but as we know, some of

> the worst

> foods are those sold as no or low fat, sugar, cholesterol, trans-

> fats, etc..

> The other problem is the deception used by the manufacturers and

> sanctioned by

> government. MSG goes by a dozen different names. Numerous products

> in health

> food stores contain genetically modified ingredients such as soy

> and canola

> -- but does the label state that?

> Check a package of Yves tofu dogs or any of their other so-called

> 'nutritious' meat alternatives. The label states they are

> cholesterol free, high in

> protein, low in fat, blah, blah, blah. But no where does it

> indicate if the soy

> protein or the canola are certified organic. (as is the case with

> the Sol

> tofu product line). When I questioned an Yves customer service rep

> about the

> absence of such labeling --which would give some assurance the

> product was

> wholesome, she stated " the ingredients are organic but there's only

> so much room

> on a package so not every descriptive can be included " . She also

> assured me

> the company's marketing department would look into it. I assured

> her I wouldn't

> touch their product with a 10 foot pole.

> Anyone familiar with Amy's? They used to be a trusted source for

> quality

> vegetarian 100% organic ingredients. If you look closely at the

> packaging on the

> front of their boxes now, you'll see in small print the fact that the

> contents range from between 65 and 90% organic -- mainly due to the

> dairy and other

> key ingredients being replaced with conventional sources.

> What about the recent revelation that some organic products contain

> known

> cancer-causing elements or that cloned meat is going to be marketed to

> unsuspecting consumers? I guess there's just no room on the package

> to state so.

> " You're all liars and you've been telling me lies,

> Yeah you're liars and I caught you with your finger in the pie " .

> " Liars " - Canadian singer/songwriter Ian .

> Skupe

> [ Joined on 01/07 ] [ Posted on April 17, 2008] 3 Points

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> Savvy User

>

> They are in " in bed " with Big Pharma and the oher corporations.

> They don't

> have time to look after us as they have their handouts for kick backs.

> I go to WF for certain things, but I have started to go to the coop

> more.

> The stuff they sell is higher quality and not loaded with canola oil.

>

> Barbiec1953

> [ Joined on 06/06 ] [ Posted on April 17, 2008] 3 Points

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> Novice User

>

> READ THE LABELS EVERY TIME...even if you've bought it many times

> before.

> Clorox bought Burts Bees so you know that if they haven't already they

> will change the ingredients. Keep a list of what ingredients are...

> MSG has at least 10 different names. Do you think the FDA is as

> concerned

> as you are about what goes into products ? Be wise and use your

> brain...

> don't be a lemming, even if the product has an organic label ! You

> vote

> every time you purchse something... use your power to change the

> companies..

> They won't make it if we don't buy it !

> lively*

> [ Joined on 12/06 ] [ Posted on April 17, 2008] 1 Points

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> Apprentice User

>

> Meaning TAKE CONTROL?

> Yes, know how to read a label, know where the food is coming

> from... and

> then realize you have to grow your own. And then realize that this

> will be

> prohibited soon.

> Demand that your " elected " officials disclose to whom they've sworn

> allegiance.

> Twiggy328cb

> [ Joined on 10/07 ] [ Posted on April 18, 2008]

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> Novice User

>

> Non-BigPharma, can you tell me where in the Code of Federal

> Regulations

> (CFR) Title 21, Part 130? I looked at Part 130 but didn't see the

> list of

> contaminants (PCBs, rat excrement, etc). Part 130.___

> Thankyou

> (http://products.mercola.com/inner-circle/)

> samurai

> [ Joined on 04/07 ] [ Posted on March 27, 2008 ] 41 Points

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> Savvy User

> The author of this article has some sort of personal beef against

> WF. To

> mention that WF is not Union is a good thing! Unions are very

> outdated, and

> wasteful. Did you know that you wouldn't be paying the very, very

> high price

> for a car if it weren't for unions??

> [ _Reply_ (javascript:window.alert('You are not authorized to Post

> comment.

> Please login or join to continue.')) ]

> (http://products.mercola.com/inner-circle/)

> Dekalb

> [ Joined on 06/06 ] [ Posted on March 27, 2008] 33 Points

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>

> Apprentice User

> I agree, unions are outdated. They served well back in the day, but

> they've become a " business " no better than insurance companies.

> Business' where people are " forced " to buy what you're selling

> should be

> illegal. (http://products.mercola.com/inner-circle/)

> SpartyOn

> [ Joined on 06/06 ] [ Posted on March 28, 2008] -5 Points

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> 6'))

> Novice User

> As soon as there are no longer unions, or the threat of employees

> unionizing, the companies will go back to the same behavior that

> created the need

> for unions in the first place. I work for a union advocating and

> negotiating

> for employees. I am very proud to represent the working people. And

> because

> it's March Madness, I also have to say this: GO STATE!

> SpartyOn

> Jonny_

> [ Joined on 01/08 ] [ Posted on March 28, 2008] -18 Points

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>

> Apprentice User

>

> Even stewardesses are unionized. Stewardesses were supposed to be

> young

> girls who wanted to see the world and earn money for school.

>

> I don't have a problem with unions per say, but the owner of the

> company has

> the right to hire, fire, or pay whomever he pleases. At least that

> is the

> way it should be in a free country.

>

> I see the myths about unions keeps getting told.

> bmc

> [ Joined on 02/07 ] [ Posted on March 28, 2008] 6 Points

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> Apprentice User

> I am discussed by the corruption in unions, but watch the movie fast

> food nation which trys to bring light to the horrible working

> conditions for

> meat packers. I think that you may find a union or something

> similar is very

> much needed.

>

> Jonny_

> [ Joined on 01/08 ] [ Posted on March 28, 2008] 15 Points

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>

> Apprentice User

> If the conditions are so " horrible " then don't work there and tell

> others. They won't stay in business long if they don't have quality

> employees.

>

> heilmikaal

> [ Joined on 04/07 ] [ Posted on March 28, 2008] 5 Points

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> Novice User

> I would rather have to pay more than have exploited workers.

>

> Ferlie

> [ Joined on 12/06 ] [ Posted on March 30, 2008] 36 Points

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>

> Apprentice User

> Jonny, your use of the insults " fat old hags " to describe modern

> stewardesses is neither useful nor entirely correct. Please

> describe your feelings

> and opinions without resorting to insults that denigrate fat

> people, old

> people and hags- or anyone else. I'm sure you can find ways to

> express yourself

> that are not mean and will be more informative to all of us.

>

> I have some experience with flying. I don't care what my steward/

> ess looks

> likes or her/his age as long as they treat me respectfully, can

> pour a drink

> without putting it in my lap and help evacuate the plane in case of

> emergency.

>

> Jonny_

> [ Joined on 01/08 ] [ Posted on March 30, 2008] -13 Points

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>

> Apprentice User

>

> My description is very accurate, Ferlie. I don't care what they

> look like,

> but I do care if they can fit down the aisle or not.

>

> bmc

> [ Joined on 02/07 ] [ Posted on March 30, 2008] 5 Points

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> Apprentice User

> Ferlie, thank you for your comments.

>

> Galt

> [ Joined on 06/06 ] [ Posted on April 17, 2008] 14 Points

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> Novice User

>

> Yeah, imagine how successful the Detroit auto companies would be if

> they

> weren't required by US law to be union. The importers aren't

> required, just GM

> and Ford, due to laws passed decades before the importers arrived.

>

> TupeloHoney

> [ Joined on 04/08 ] [ Posted on April 17, 2008] -22 Points

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> This user is BELOW novice level and all their comments need to be

> reviewed with great caution.

>

> Jonny, you're a jackass.

> Gehman

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> Novice User

>

> There's nothing wrong with collective bargaining in a truly free

> market. The

> problem is, we haven't had a free market in a long time, and the

> government

> has tipped the balance strongly toward the unions with a variety of

> laws. If

> the employer could still simply fire those who unionized - assuming

> the labor

> market made that practical - and hire those who were willing to work

> according to terms the employer was willing to give - then unions

> wouldn't be such a

> destructive force. They'd simply be one more input into the labor

> market,

> along with supply and demand. But when employers are forced by the

> government

> to negotiate and cannot fire unionized labor for anything other

> than gross

> negligence, and sometimes not even then, it tips the balance way

> too far in

> favor of the unions.

> The fact that unions have been on the decline for a long time,

> DESPITE all

> the legal advantages the government gives them, is proof that their

> time is

> past. That doesn't mean their time won't come again sometime, but

> for now

> they're far more of a negative than a positive.

> healthnutmom

> [ Joined on 09/07 ] [ Posted on April 17, 2008] 3 Points

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> Novice User

>

> How right you are!

>

> " Ms. Michele "

>

> **************Need a new ride? Check out the largest site for U.S.

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>

>