General Mills Executive Resigns NOSB Appointment After Pressure from OCA & Consumers Union

>From : Organic Business News Feb. 3, 2006
http://www.obn.hotlineprinting.com/obnbreaking.html
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Heinze Quits NOSB after Criticism

Katrina Heinze, an executive with General Mills who was recently appointed
to the National Organic Standards Board along with five others, resigned
from the post this week after criticism was leveled at her by consumer
groups.

Consumers Union and the Organic Consumers Association filed complaints with
the US Dept. of Agriculture that Ms. Heinze and Daniel Giacomini, a dairy
industry consultant, were not qualified to represent the consumer sector on
the advisory board.

"By loading the NOSB with industry representatives, the USDA threatens to
undermine consumer trust in the organic label," the OCA said.

"We believe that the veracity of the consumer/public interest positions is
being compromised by these appointments," said Urvashi Rangan, senior
scientist with CU. "These individuals may be appropriate to serve for
industry related slots on the NOSB, but it is misleading to have them
represent the interests of consumers and the public interest."

General Mills did not want Heinze to be the focus of controversy.
Agriculture Secretary Mike Johanns must now name a replacement for her. The
NOSB will meet for the first time with the new board members in April.