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: http://www.naturalnews.com/z022881.html
Read Dr. Mercola's comments at: http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles
/archive/2008/04/17/the-whole-story-about-whole-foods-market.aspx
