FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 24, 2015

Contact:
Mexico: Ercilia Sahores, ercilia@organicconsumers.org, (55) 6257 7901
US: Griffin Klement, griffin@organicconsumers.org, (713) 701-5417
Greenpeace Mexico: Aleira Lara; aleira.lara@greenpeace.org, (55) 4084 5319

Groups petition Coca-Cola, Bimbo and other brands to stop using 29 chemicals banned or restricted in other countries.

Mazatlan, Mexico- The Organic Consumers Association Mexico (OCA Mexico) has teamed up with Greenpeace to expose the environmental and health hazards of 29 toxic agrochemicals used in Mexico that are currently banned or restricted in other countries including the US.

As part of its “Tierra Sana, Comida Sana”  (Healthy Earth, Heathy Food) Campaign, Greenpeace Mexico has petitioned 15 transnational Mexican and US food brands such as Bimbo, Coca-Cola, La Costeña, Bachoco and Maseca, to seek out more sustainable organic food production methods that are healthier for consumers and the environment.

OCA Mexico is supporting Greenpeace Mexico’s efforts with a cross-border education and marketplace pressure campaign to pressure the transnational food companies.

“Organic consumers in the US, and around the world must support Greenpeace Mexico’s efforts, not only because the food companies in Mexico continue to use 29 toxic agrochemicals that are banned or restricted in other countries, but also because Mexico is the second-largest exporter of agricultural products to the US. Only by working together in international solidarity, can we stand up against the multinational agrotoxic companies,” said Ronnie Cummins, OCA Mexico’s international director.

Greenpeace recently organized an event in Mazatlan aboard its research vessel “El Esperanza” to illustrate the impact industrial agriculture is having on Mexico’s waterways and the ocean. “La Esperanza” is serving as a research vessel for scientists from the UNAM, the Union of Scientists Committed to Society (UCCS) and the Thematic Network Harmful Algal Blooms to document how the use of toxic agrochemicals by industrial agriculture is poisoning rivers, aquifers and seas across the country.

“The use of pesticides and fertilizers is polluting the water of rivers, lakes and the sea in the Pacific, threatening the biodiversity and health of people,” said Sandra Laso, head of Greenpeace’s Campaign.

Greenpeace Mexico has already sent over 30,000 signatures to the Mexico and the US based companies. So far, only six of the 15 companies have responded. Visit Greenpeace’s Comida Sana page for updates from the companies and additional campaign information.

Consumers can join the “Tierra Sana, Comida Sana”  (Healthy Earth, Heathy Food) campaign by signing the petition, and sharing the OCA Mexico “Mexico Stand Up” GMO Protest Song.

Sign the Petition: Tell these brands: Stop the Use of Banned Agrochemicals in Mexico

Watch and Share the Video: “Mexico Stand Up” GMO Protest Song

 

The Asociación de Consumidores Orgánicos Mexico (ACO) is a chapter of the Organic Consumers Association (OCA) an online and grassroots non-profit 501(c)3 public interest organization campaigning for health, justice, and sustainability. The Organic Consumers Fund is a 501(c)4 allied organization of the Organic Consumers Association, focused on grassroots lobbying and legislative action.