The Organic Consumers Association would like to clarify information in an alert that was part of Organic Bytes issue #122 (sent to you on
11/15/2007).
We take great pride in reporting strictly factual information with each issue of Organic Bytes. That is a major reason why Organic Bytes has more subscribers than any other email newsletter focused on organic consumers.
Our alert was based on information provided to us from one of our trusted allies, United Farmworkers. It stated: “According to the FDA, the company, Beef Northwest, has been administering drugs to its livestock above legal limits.” It goes on to say that Beef Northwest’s meat is sold under the “Country Natural Beef” label, which is found at a large number of natural foods stores, including Whole
Foods Market.
Since the alert went out, we have received FDA documentation with an update: Beef Northwest did have a one-time FDA violation, and an employee has now been terminated for the error. In addition, the beef in question was routed to conventional outlets NOT packaged under the Country Natural Beef (CNB) label. Any livestock that require antibiotic treatment are not packaged under the CNB label.
In addition, Beef Northwest has multiple operations, and only a portion of its cattle are packaged under the CNB label (those cattle that are pasture or range fed for 16-18 months and never treated with hormones or antibiotics). The majority of CNB’s meat is raised by family farmers.
Having clarified that, we would like to note that this story does bring to light some of the controversial angles of this issue:
CNB is a co-op of family farmers who do ethically raise their animals naturally and with open access to pastures for the first 16-18 months of their lives. These farmers then sell those animals to CNB who, according to their website, send the animals to one of Beef Northwest’s feedlots that is a CAFO. CNB is very transparent and open with this information on its website but not on its packaging. The animals spend the final three months of their lives fattened at this feedlot with a diet made-up of 50% potatoes and a 50% mix of corn and alfalfa. CNB notes that it cannot guarantee the corn is GMO-free. If an animal falls ill and must be treated with antibiotics, it is not packaged under the CNB label.
Also, the feedlots where these animals are fattened are under scrutiny for union busting by United Farmworkers. We encourage our readers to contact United Farmworkers for more information on these labor related issues: http://www.ufwaction.org
For more information, the CNB website goes into detail about its operations, including how the animals are slaughtered:
http://www.oregoncountrybeef.com/2006%20Sustainable%20Stewardship%20Letter.htm
http://www.oregoncountrybeef.com/2006%20Frequently%20Asked%20Questions.htm
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FYI – Here is a letter from Whole Foods Market further articulating this point:
Dear Concerned Customer,
Thank you for taking time to email us with your concerns.
Whole Foods Market works hard to provide the best tasting, the freshest and most wholesome, naturally raised meat available. We are proud of our role as a leader in the natural meat industry and we have been able to champion innovative production systems to ensure the quality and the safety of the meat we sell. You can learn more about our meat program at: <http://www.wholefoodsmarket.com/products/meat-poultry/index.html>http://www.wholefoodsmarket.com/products/meat-poultry/index.html.
We̢¢d like to take this opportunity to address the issues regarding alleged unsafe residue present in meat supplied to Whole Foods Market by Country Natural Beef (CNB). The information contained in the email text you sent to us is factually inaccurate because no unsafe residue has been reported to be present in CNB beef. The citations referenced by the United Farm Workers (UFW) were in no way related to CNB̢¢s herds or processing plant.
With regard to the unsafe residue issue raised on the UFW website, the beef provided by CNB to Whole Foods Market comes from herds that are completely segregated from herds destined for the conventional market. Further, we have controls in place to ensure that meat sold in our stores meet our strict quality standards. These safeguards include an affidavit process verifying compliance of our standards and on-site visits and assessments, which allow us to help ensure beef provided by our suppliers is not commingled with conventional beef.
As for the employment issues you raised in your email, please be assured that Whole Foods Market works diligently to comply with all local, state and federal labor laws. We expect our vendors to do the same and to take this issue as seriously as we do. Though we work closely with our vendor partners to offer products of the highest possible quality, we have no practical or legal authority over their labor practices.
Sincerely,
Your Whole Foods Market Customer Service Team
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FYI – Here is United Farm Workers letter from today:
Tell Whole Foods to Cut the Bull
Since we sent out our alert on Wednesday, November 14, thousands have contacted Whole Foods to express their concern about the use of illegal drugs on cows fattened at the Beef Northwest feedlots. Whole Foods sells Country Natural Beef. Country Natural Beef’s cows are fattened exclusively at the Beef Northwest feedlots. In addition, the owner of Beef Northwest, John Wilson, is also a member of the Country Natural Beef co-op.
The FDA recently warned Beef Northwest about the use of illegal drugs on cows. In their letter, the FDA calls the meat treated with these drugs “adulterated” and “unsafe.”
Whole Foods responded to concerned citizens who sent them an e-mail, by claiming that they “have controls in place to ensure that the meat sold in our stores meet our strict quality standards.” However, Whole Foods makes no mention on either their website or in their e-mails regarding any testing protocols in place to ensure that the meat they sell does not contain unsafe levels of these drugs.
This is not the first time Whole Foods has overstated their position. Whole Foods used to advertise Country Natural Beef (CNB) as “grass fed.” In August, we pointed out to Whole Foods that there is not a blade of grass to be seen at the feed lots. Country Natural Beef cows were fed grain, cooked potatoes and dark, used vegetable oil during the approximate three months they were at Beef Northwest⬢s feedlot prior to slaughter.
By coming forth and sharing this information, Beef Northwest workers are risking their jobs. Please stand up for these workers and make sure that Beef Northwest does not retaliate against them for speaking the truth.
Tell Whole Foods to cut the bull. Demand that Whole Foods test all the meat it sells to ensure that it doesn̢¢t contain unsafe levels of illegal drugs.
http://www.ufwaction.org
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ORGANIC CONSUMERS ASSOCIATION
6771 South Silver Hill Drive
Finland, Minnesota 55603
Phone: (218)- 226-4164 Fax: (218) 353-7652