Groceries Really Organic?
GMOs Pesticides, Food Safety, Price Markups, and Imported Risks at Major U.S. Chains
Vons, Albertsons, Safeway, Pavilions, Jewel-Osco, Acme Markets, Shaws, Star Market
Randalls, and Tom Thumb -- Declare Organic Civil War On Them All
Tracy Turner
How often have you felt angry or heavily incensed at these companies? Perhaps there is a reason you feel cheated…
Primarily offering USA and North American food with various international and imported food products, including items from developing third-world countries, their store brands include food items from domestic and international sources, with third-world sourcing also occurring for organic and other specialty items. Albertsons Companies. 2022. Sustainability report. < https://www.albertsonscompanies.com>.
These grocery chains import food from various countries worldwide, including Mexico. They import food items from Mexico, Canada, China, India, Thailand, Peru, and several European and South American countries. Standard imports often include produce, spices, seafood, canned goods, and packaged foods. Specific sourcing could vary depending on the type of store.
Ownership:
- Albertsons Companies own Vons.
Sister Companies (under Albertsons):
- Albertsons, Safeway, Pavilions, Jewel-Osco, Acme Markets, Shaws, Star Market, Randalls, and Tom Thumb.
Many grocery chains in the United States, including those mentioned above, import a significant volume of food items from Mexico, Central, and South America. In these regions, the term organic can be applied extremely loosely, if at all, compared to U.S. standards.
While there is organic certification in these regions, it may not meet the standards for USDA Organic. Such a discrepancy brings up serious questions regarding the validity of organic labeling. For example, agricultural practices are carried out differently in countries like Mexico and Guatemala; sometimes, due to less strict oversight, producers misapply the organic label.
This constitutes misleading information and threatens the quality of foods. According to critics and American food producers, labeling may be compromised since consumers depend on the labels on foodstuffs. Source: U.S. Department of Agriculture. (2020). Organic Certification and Labeling. < https://www.ams.usda.gov/rules-regulations/organic>.
Countries less developed than Mexico and Guatemala, particularly those with high poverty levels, often need help producing organic food due to limited infrastructure, inconsistent certification, and varying agricultural practices. In many of these nations, such as parts of sub-Saharan Africa, Southeast Asia, and Latin America, the organic label can be used with minimal oversight, leading to concerns about authenticity and quality (Willer & Lernoud, 2020).
Organic farming in many low-income countries, such as the USDA Organic program, may not be certified to international standards. However, the farmer could still sell his or her products organically due to the need for more enforcement by regulatory agencies. For instance, in countries like Ethiopia, India, and Southeast Asia, "organic" might merely mean the lack of synthetic pesticides. However, that does not qualify it as an international organic product (Guthman, 2004). Because these products usually need to be imported and their economies of scale are limited, they can be very expensive. The certification process is generally difficult and costly, especially in poorer nations.
The higher price of such third-world organic products, compared to organic food from developed countries like the USA or Canada, is often due to higher shipping costs, middleman markups, and the logistical challenges of exporting organic goods from countries with less developed agricultural infrastructures (Smith & Smith, 2019).
There is a greater demand for a certified organic product in the United States, and for a USDA Organic label that American consumers trust. USDA-certified organic products are regulated by the strictest standards concerning pesticide use, soil management, and other agricultural practices, making them one of the preferred choices in the U.S. market (U.S. Department of Agriculture, 2020). These products usually command a higher price, which results in higher profit margins for retailers.
Imported organic food from less-regulated countries, while possibly cheaper, faces issues related to inconsistent certification, possible quality control, and several agricultural practices. This underscores the need for consumer vigilance when purchasing organic products, as organic standards in countries like India, South America, and Africa may be based on pesticide-free farming, but often lack the comprehensiveness in oversight accorded to U.S. organic certification, hence raising concerns about fraud or misapplication of the "organic" label (Guthman, 2004). Organic imports from less careful monitoring may present a high risk of food adulteration with chemicals like pesticides or heavy metal residues. It has been reported that organic labeling without due verification or standards set at international levels does occur. Smith & Smith (2019).
Eric, a producer of Barbecue Sauces in California, claims they just slap an Organic Label on anything in third-world countries, who’s going to stop them? One of the examples he used was Organic Honey. Who goes out and watches to make sure the bees did not forage conventional, pesticide crops?
Corruption and lax oversight in developing countries create an environment where products often bear the "organic" label despite not meeting recognized international standards, thereby deceiving consumers, as stated by Guthman (2004). Nonetheless, most retailers have their own product verification standards in place to ensure some sort of legitimacy in these organic products. But the retailers are foxes guarding their own henhouses.
Understanding the origin of food products is crucial. Conventional food sold at stores like Vons, Albertsons, Safeway, and others is often imported from various countries, including Mexico, China, India, South America, and Southeast Asia. These regions supply fruits, vegetables, grains, seafood, and processed foods. However, the likelihood of these foods containing high levels of pesticides, heavy metals (like lead, cadmium, and cobalt), or radionuclides depends on factors such as the agricultural practices of the exporting country, the type of crop, and the level of regulatory oversight.
Countries with less stringent regulations on pesticide use, such as India or parts of Latin America, may have higher pesticide residues in their conventional products (Cheng et al., 2018). Heavy metals, including lead and cadmium, can sometimes be present due to soil contamination or industrial pollution (Nriagu, 2019). While the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) monitor imports for pesticide residues and heavy metals, enforcement can vary, and some countries may lack the infrastructure to comply with U.S. standards (FDA, 2020).
While regulations are in place to ensure food safety, it's important for consumers to be aware that imported conventional foods—especially from developing countries—can carry higher contamination risks than domestically produced food. This is primarily due to weaker regulatory enforcement. It's crucial for consumers to be vigilant and informed about the sources of their food.
While there have been incidents of foodborne illnesses and contamination linked to products sold at major grocery chains like Albertsons, Safeway, Jewel-Osco, and others, cases leading to death are relatively rare but not unheard of. Foodborne pathogens such as Salmonella, E. coli, Listeria, and Campylobacter are common culprits in food recalls and outbreaks in the U.S. and Canada, sometimes linked to products sold at these stores.
For instance, in 2018, a significant outbreak of Salmonella was linked to contaminated chicken, which caused several illnesses and deaths in the U.S. (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention [CDC], 2018). While specific store chains may not always be directly implicated, large retailers like Albertsons and Safeway often sell products from national suppliers affected by such outbreaks. Moreover, recalls due to contamination- most notably Listeria in ready-to-eat meats and E. coli in leafy greens- have caused consumer deaths in rare instances.
Significantly, the strict regulation of foods and monitoring of such aspects by agencies such as the FDA and CFIA has curbed the incidences to low levels that cannot easily cause widespread fatalities; notwithstanding, foodborne illness remains a health concern.
In 2021, a cold cut recall by Dietz & Watson was implicated in a Listeria monocytogenes outbreak that sickened people and caused one death in the United States. While the outbreak did not affect just one or two grocery chains, contaminated cold cuts had been sold at many major retailers, including but not limited to stores like Safeway, Albertsons, and Jewel-Osco, which carry Dietz & Watson products. This was a national outbreak; several of these consumers became seriously ill. Listeriosis can easily be transmitted, especially among pregnant women, the elderly, and immunocompromised individuals, the group most susceptible to infection.
The FDA and CDC investigated the outbreak and worked with the supplier (Dietz & Watson) and retailers to remove affected products from shelves, though the exact number of deaths tied to the recall varied. The company voluntarily recalled affected products, and most stores involved quickly pulled the contaminated items from their shelves. These stores, including major supermarket chains, followed standard protocol for such recalls to mitigate further public health risks (FDA, 2021).
While the cold cut recall involved many consumers, and some deaths were confirmed, the grocery stores generally followed recall procedures and consumer safety guidelines to limit further exposure.
In February 2024, Albertsons Companies voluntarily recalled six store-made items that included Dietz & Watson charcuterie meat products at Albertsons, Safeway, Vons, and other stores.
Stores: Albertsons, Carrs-Safeway, Eagle, Jewel-Osco, Pavilions, Randalls, Safeway, Shaw's, Star Market, Tom Thumb, and Vons.
Products: Gourmet Charcuterie Sampler Bags and Sliced Charcuterie
Reason: Possible Salmonella contamination.
In 2024, Albertsons and Safeway were involved in a meat recall due to Listeria monocytogenes:
Recall:
In October 2024, BrucePac recalled over 9.9 million pounds of pre-cooked meat and poultry products due to Listeria. The recall included store brands from seven of the top 10 grocery chains in the United States and other chains and name brands.
Notification:
Albertsons and Safeway notified customers not to eat the recalled products and to either throw them away or return them to the store. Listeria can cause serious illness in children, the elderly, and pregnant women.
The FDA's Recalls, Market Withdrawals, and Safety Alerts webpage contains a list of recalls.
Said grocers: Vons, Albertsons, Safeway, Pavilions, Jewel-Osco, Acme Markets, Shaw's, Star Market, Randalls, and Tom Thumb— have been subject to various criticisms, both consumer-wise and food-safety-wise. Here are some of the most commonly questioned practices.
Consumer-Related Issues:
1. Price Markups and Lack of Transparency: Many consumers feel essential items are more expensive in these grocery chains than discount stores or competitors. The perceived inflated prices of organic and specialty foods have led many consumers to believe they are being ripped off. Other consumers also take issue with a lack of price transparency or "shrinkflation," where the product sizes are reduced, but the prices are not (Krause, 2023).
2. Frequent Product Substitution: Many customers complain about being substituted with lower-quality or less preferred items, especially for online grocery orders. If a particular brand or item is unavailable, the substitution may be incompatible with the customer's preferences or needs, leading to frustration (Moore, 2022).
3. Deceptive Marketing of "Organic" Products: While the chains frequently carry organic items, consumers have voiced suspicion regarding the authenticity of organic produce, with some produce coming from countries where organic certifications may be less demanding (Guthman, 2004). They feel that the "organic" name is sometimes used merely as a marketing tool, without regard for actual, strict organic practices.
Food Safety Issues:
1. Imported Foods with Slack Safety Standards: Imported conventional foods, mainly from China, India, and other parts of Southeast Asia, may have slack standards regarding food safety. Pesticide residues may contaminate importation, heavy metals such as lead and cadmium, and harmful elements like carcinogenic chemicals found in the manufacturing process of food items (Cheng et al., 2018; Nriagu, 2019). These are heightened in countries with weaker regulatory enforcement, allowing for higher contamination levels than might otherwise be tolerated in products landing on U.S. grocery store shelves.
2. Cold Cut and Meat Safety: Over the last several years, there have been many instances involving large grocery chains and recalls of deli meats and cold cuts due to bacterial contamination, including Listeria and Salmonella. For instance, the 2021 Dietz & Watson Listeria outbreak caused illness and one death, putting in question the food safety practices of handling and importing meat products. Concerns remain that some suppliers may need to meet the same cleanliness and safety standards as U.S.-based producers.
3. Lack of Traceability for Imported Produce: The sourcing of produce from regions with less regulatory oversight (e.g., parts of Latin America, Africa, and Southeast Asia) can raise concerns about pesticide residue and the use of chemicals banned or restricted in the U.S. There are also occasional concerns about the use of untreated water for irrigation, which can lead to contamination of imported fruits and vegetables (Smith & Smith, 2019).
4. Over-reliance on Imported Seafood: A particular issue with seafood from countries like China and Southeast Asia is the possibility of heavy metal or toxin contamination, including mercury. While the FDA monitors imports, various studies have found that imported seafood may not always meet U.S. safety standards for chemical contamination (FDA, 2020).
While large retailers like Vons, Albertsons, and others may have food safety policies, consumer-related complaints and other food safety concerns continue to occur. These include issues such as price gouging, deceptive organic labeling, outbreaks, and the problem of not selling safe food imported from countries with more lenient oversight.
Here are a few lesser-known food health insights that may surprise you:
1. Food Fraud is Much More Common Than You Think
Food Fraud, in the form of mislabeling, counterfeit products, and adulteration, has become increasingly prevalent along the global food supply chain. For instance, according to the European Union, in 2018, nearly 5% of imports were either fraudulently labeled or contaminated. The most adulterated foods include olive oil, honey, seafood, and spices (Spink & Moyer, 2013). That may even suggest you are paying for something "organic" or "premium" that is not. This affects not only the price but also the safety and authenticity of food.
2. The "Dirty Dozen" Is not Just About Pesticides—It Can Be About Antibiotics, Too
What is not always mentioned when speaking of the "Dirty Dozen" list of 12 fruits and vegetables with the highest pesticide residues is that conventionally grown produce, especially meat and dairy products, may also contain traces of antibiotics or growth hormones. Research has shown that antibiotic residues can be found in non-organic poultry and meats due to farming practices (Cameron, 2021). This added to livestock overuse and raised concerns about antibiotic resistance.
3. Aquaculture: The Hidden Issues Behind "Sustainable" Seafood
While farmed seafood is often marketed as "sustainable," there are considerable environmental and health concerns regarding industrial aquaculture. Intensive fish farming, like that in Norway, China, and Chile, contributes to several ecological issues, including the use of antibiotics and pesticides to control disease (Bjørndal & Davíðsdóttir, 2019). Farmed fish, such as salmon, may contain higher levels of polychlorinated biphenyls, harmful chemicals stored in fatty tissue.
4. The Environmental Impact of Food Waste in Grocery Stores
Grocery chains, including those mentioned, are responsible for significant food waste. According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, approximately 30-40% of the food supply in the U.S. is wasted annually, and a large portion of this happens at the retail level. Items that do not meet aesthetic standards (e.g., slightly misshapen or bruised fruits) are discarded, contributing to environmental strain. However, many stores have started initiatives to reduce waste, such as offering discounted "ugly" produce or donating unsold items to food banks.
5. Supply Chain Risks from Climate Change
Climate change is having a measurable impact on food supply chains, especially for products imported from regions highly vulnerable to extreme weather. Droughts, flooding, and unpredictable weather patterns can ruin crop yields in India, Brazil, and Africa, primarily produce, grains, and livestock exporters. Climate Change threatens to cause food shortages and price increases in imported commodities, increasing the risk of a particular good's shortage in the future if the disruption of the supply chain continues to worsen due to climate change (Gornall et al., 2010).
6. The Truth About "Free-Range" and "Cage-Free" Labels
While "free-range" and "cage-free" labels are often considered more humane than conventional farming, they do not always guarantee much better animal living conditions. Some "cage-free" chicken farms have overcrowded conditions with minimal access to outdoor spaces (Smith, 2016). While progress is being made in animal welfare standards, the effectiveness of these labels depends heavily on enforcement and the specific practices of individual farms.
7. Pesticides in Imported Produce—Not Always the Biggest Problem
While much attention is given to pesticide residues in imported fruits and vegetables, research has shown that the processing and handling of food post-harvest can also contribute to contamination. For example, washing produce with contaminated water or storing it in unsanitary conditions during transportation can lead to additional consumer risks (Nriagu, 2019). This practice is especially true for imported products that travel long distances, where quality control might be less stringent.
8. The Global "Organic" Trade is Massive and Growing
The global organic food market is projected to surpass $400 billion by 2025 (Willer & Lernoud, 2020). While countries like the U.S. have strict organic certification standards, this differs globally. Some developing nations use "organic" as a marketing tool, even if practices do not always meet the standards set by more regulated markets. This has given way to cheaper organic imports from countries with less stringent regulations, which is a risk to fraud and safety. A $400 billion industry has to have its fair share of corruption and deceit.
Highly recommended read: "Your Herbs and Spices Might Contain Arsenic, Cadmium, and Lead."
CR tested 126 products from McCormick, Trader Joe's, Whole Foods, and other popular brands. Almost a third had heavy metal levels high enough to raise health concerns.
By Lisa L. Gill - Published November 9, 2021
Many consumers have much bottled-up anger yet will not bother with a few dollars and a few minutes to do pesticide and heavy-metals test strips. You get the food retailers that you settle for. Most tests can be performed at your kitchen sink. Do not just bottle-up that anger; test, test, and post on social media! Or just settle for mediocre health, you have a say, here!
Here is one more area where we need you to man or woman up and make a difference:
Plastic bottles in the United States can contain PFAS (per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances), bisphenol A (BPA), phthalates, and other chemicals:
PFAS
A toxic class of fluorine compounds is known as "forever chemicals." They can be found in fluorinated high-density polyethylene (HDPE) plastic containers. PFAS can leach into food, cosmetics, household cleaners, and pesticides. They can build up in the body and environment over time and have been linked to health issues like prostate, kidney, and testicular cancers.
BPA and phthalates
These chemicals can be found in some plastic bottles, cups, containers, toys, and pacifiers. They can be toxic when released by heat or when the product is scratched.
PVC
A dangerous chemical sometimes used in plastic squeeze bottles and peanut butter jars.
Polystyrene
A chemical used in Styrofoam food trays that can damage the brain and nervous system.
Here are some recent actions taken by the EPA about PFAS in plastic containers:
In December 2023, the EPA ordered Inhance Technologies LLC (Inhance) to stop producing PFAS in its fluorinated HDPE plastic containers.
In March 2022, the EPA issued a Notice of Violation to Inhance for failing to notify the agency before it began manufacturing PFAS.
The EPA is seeking public comment on the manufacture of certain PFAS during the fluorination of plastic containers.
In plain English, you are drinking PFAS-contaminated "health drinks" by the case. Stop buying them. It is not "indulging yourself," but it is your bowel cancer. Woo-e-woo brand Iced Chai with Vanilla and Nutmeg in a PFAS Plastic Bottle is not pampering you; it is taking years of life away from you! "Spring Water" with PFAS is "Spring Water" with (per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances), bisphenol A (BPA), phthalates, and other chemicals. Stop making plastic oceans. Go into the store, not hungry. Take pictures of all the plastic. Post on a wall of shame on Social Media…
Vons, Albertsons, Safeway, Pavilions, Jewel-Osco, Acme Markets, Shaw's, Star Market, Randalls, and Tom Thumb are grocery chains that import food products from other countries. These stores import from countries such as Cambodia, Thailand, Laos, Vietnam, and China. Produce, seafood, packaged goods, spices, and canned foods are among the items imported from both developed and developing countries.
Imports from Southeast Asia and China
Thailand and Vietnam are the major exporters of seafood, like shrimp, fish, and other aquatic products, that can be commonly found in grocery stores. More specifically, Thailand is a major supplier of frozen seafood (e.g., shrimp and tilapia) to the U.S. (U.S. International Trade Commission, 2021). Similarly, Vietnam exports all kinds of food products, ranging from sea foods like catfish and shrimp to rice and processed foods. Food and Agriculture Organization [FAO], 2020). Cambodia and Laos: While less prominent than Thailand or Vietnam, Cambodia and Laos still export various food products to the U.S., including specialty foods, canned products, and some processed goods. For example, Cambodia is a source of canned fruits, rice, and other packaged goods, often sold in international or ethnic food sections of supermarkets (FAO, 2020). These foods are highly, highly suspect for heavy metals, pesticides, antibiotics and hormones.
China is one of the leading suppliers of all kinds of food products to the United States, from processed foods to fruits, vegetables, tea, and a variety of packaged goods. Products from China often include frozen vegetables, mushrooms, and some grains like rice. China is also one of the largest exporters of canned and packaged goods, very common in the aisles of U.S. grocery stores (U.S. Department of Agriculture [USDA], 2022). China does not have a USDA, whatever that means. The EPA, Food and Drug, USDA and Monsanto have revolving doors that all connect to one-another. China has less than that.
Food Safety and Regulatory Considerations
Despite the wide variety of imports, food safety has become a concern for some of the products from these regions.
For instance, China has been in the spotlight over food safety problems, especially with pesticide residues, heavy metals, and other contaminants (FDA, 2020). Thailand and Vietnam have also encountered challenges related to food safety, especially in the seafood sector, where contamination with heavy metals like mercury or industrial chemicals is a concern (FDA, 2020; U.S. Food and Drug Administration [FDA], 2019). Imports are also overseen by the FDA and other agencies, including the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), which make sure they meet U.S. food safety standards. However, critics have pointed out that enforcement is spotty, particularly for products coming from countries with weak regulatory oversight. (FDA, 2020)
Grocery chains like Albertsons, Safeway, Vons, and other chains import various food items from countries in Southeast Asia: Thailand, Vietnam, Cambodia, China, and a host of others. All these have different categories ranging from fresh produce and seafood to finished goods. Therefore, consumers have to be really aware of sourcing and safety standards for the food they are consuming, especially when imports are coming into play. Just the very water they use is suspect.
The Inalienable Right to Food, Water, and Freedom from Corporate Control
Access to clean water and plants for food, fiber, and medicine should arguably be among the first inalienable rights of humanity. In the Stone Age, when early humans were still learning to harness the land, no corporate giant came along with a patent on the wild plants they harvested or cultivated. There were no papers declaring ownership of currants, bamboo, or Sapote trees. Yet today, this basic human right to grow food and access without interference from corporations has been compromised through the aggressive practices of biotech companies like Monsanto, BASF, and DuPont, whose reach now goes deep into the world's food supply.
Not so long ago, man's relation with nature was symbiotic, and agriculture was a humble, non-destructive affair. The ancient farmers, whether in Mesopotamia's fertile river valleys or the tropical landscapes of the Amazon, knew the interdependence of water, soil, and plant life. They cultivated their crops with care, grew medicinal plants, and lived in harmony with the environment. These early horticulturists had no need for corporate patents or genetically engineered crops; they relied on the natural bounty of the Earth, cultivating it in a way that was sustainable and ecologically responsible. Their methods were organic by today's standards, and their farming practices ensured the health of the soil and the crops it produced.
Fast-forward to the present, and the rise of agrochemical giants has radically altered the landscape. Companies like Monsanto dominate the global food system, patenting plants and seeds and controlling vast swaths of agricultural production. These corporations often market their genetically modified (GM) crops as "sustainable" and "eco-friendly," but the reality is far from it. GM crops are designed to be dependent on chemical fertilizers, pesticides, and herbicides-substances that harm the environment, disrupt ecosystems, and threaten human health. While these corporations push for more control over food production, they are doing so at the expense of farmers, consumers, and the planet.
The most insidious aspects of biotech corporations' influence seem to be their manipulation of the laws in order to protect their interests. Consider how Monsanto's seed patents have resulted in a series of legal battles with farmers. If Monsanto's genetically modified seeds inadvertently contaminate a neighboring farmer's field, that farmer can be sued for patent infringement. It is a form of corporate overreach that undermines the basic right of farmers to grow food without the interference of powerful corporations. With Monsanto and its allies in a chokehold on the food supply, there is a risk of living in a world where access to basic foodstuffs will be determined not by nature but by the whims of corporate monopolies.
Apart from the legal and ethical issues that surround GMOs, the environmental effects of the technology are undisputed. Pesticide-resistant "superweeds" and disease-resistant "superbugs" are on the rise as wide-scale adoption of GM crops is implemented. These engineered crops are often bred to withstand massive doses of herbicides, but this only feeds a cycle of chemical dependence which furthers the problem. Long-term, GMOs are contributing to soil degradation, water pollution, and loss of biodiversity-all the things that threaten the very foundation of agriculture. All this brings us back to the very roots of horticulture and farming, in the greatest respect for nature.
The first farmers knew very well that healthy ecosystems translated into abundant food. Organic farmers today continue with that philosophy, trying to rebalance human agriculture with the environment. But they are under siege. The biotech industry, in an attempt to usurp the world's entire food chain through seed patenting, genetic modification, and pressure, threatens with extinction the organic mode of farming, along with a fundamental right of humanity: to grow its own food autonomously from corporate tyrants.
More than ever, it is necessary to take action in the name of our rights to clean water, safe food, and a healthy ecosystem. The emergence of biotech firms such as Monsanto, for example, has utterly transformed not only how we grow food but, on a more profound level, how human beings relate to the Earth.
Preserving the health of the planet and our own health demands from us an opposition to such monopoly business and the regaining of our rights to grow, harvest, and consume food in an ecologically viable, ethical way, and free of interference from corporate autocrats. The future of our food system depends on it.
Fish farming, or mariculture, has been widely promoted as a more environmentally sustainable way to produce protein for the growing global population. In fact, an article in *The Guardian* explains that aquaculture is said to have less environmental impact than land-based meat production, since it requires a minimal amount of land, water, and feed.
But if fish farming is to be truly sustainable and safe for human consumption, it is paramount that the water in which the fish are raised is free from contaminants, especially pesticides like Atrazine. Unfortunately, 94% of U.S. water sources are contaminated with this chemical, making it nearly impossible to raise fish in clean water without constant monitoring and regulation. The EPA has been criticized for its role in permitting this pollution under the Bush and Obama administrations. Both administrations did the same thing: put industry insiders-people with a background in working for oil companies-into the highest levels of regulatory positions.
The result has been a set of policies that work in favor of corporate interests and against environmental protection, undermining strict laws once in place to protect our water and oceans. Aquaculture, requiring as it does clean, unpolluted seawater, is thus especially sensitive to the environmental degradation these policies bring about. If the water that fish, shellfish, and kelp are grown in is contaminated, then the fish will die or build up the poisons in their flesh, thus posing a potential danger to human health. The risks from pollutants such as Atrazine are not merely theoretical. Studies have shown that even low levels of chemicals in water make their way into the food chain, where they often accumulate in the bodies of animals, including humans.
Despite proof that Atrazine is hazardous, members of the general public stay excluded from any discussion relating to the regulation of Atrazine. Long-term implications for major health disorders might well arise, especially among those whose main staple diets include farmed fish in polluted waters. This is indicative of the larger systemic failure at the level of regulatory bodies to safeguard public health because of corporate lobbying and influences.
Apart from the various environmental threats that industrial agriculture and biotechnology present, there is also a related and growing concern over genetic modified organisms' dangers. Companies like Monsanto, BASF, and Syngenta are heavily invested in this genetic engineering and market these products as solutions to the global food shortages.
However, the science behind GMOs is far from settled, and there are significant risks associated with genetic modification. A notorious example is the Showa Denko tryptophan disaster, which showed how genetic engineering can have unintended and catastrophic consequences. When GMOs are introduced into the environment, they can pollinate with non-GMO crops, thereby creating general contamination and even new varieties of plants that could eventually be harmful to human consumption and the environment. The GMOs are also very often designed to sustain huge doses of pesticides, like glyphosate, which are linked by themselves to serious health risks. The monocropping and heavy pesticide use inherent in GMO farming degrade the soil and deplete it of essential nutrients, making the crops less nutritious.
This creates a vicious cycle where farmers are forced to use more chemicals to maintain yields, further depleting the health of the soil. Ironically, however, while GMOs have been heralded as the technology to feed the world, they often fail to bring better nutrition or yields over the long term and also contribute to the global ecological crisis. Desertification and ocean acidification are some of the most serious current environmental problems that are linked to industrial agriculture. Every year, millions of acres are lost to desertification; much of this is brought on by poor farming practices, including the heavy application of chemical fertilizers and pesticides.
This process contributes not only to a decrease in arable land available for food production but also to climate change through increased carbon emissions and accelerated destruction of vital ecosystems. As land becomes desertified, it also leads to soil erosion, much of which ends up in the oceans, further acidifying marine environments. This has dire consequences for marine life, from fish and shellfish to kelp, all sources of protein for millions of people.
While the practices of large biotech corporations continue to destroy the environment, they are also destabilizing global food systems. Preoccupation with short-term profits at the expense of long-term sustainability depletes natural resources, destroys biodiversity, and increasingly relies on chemical inputs that poison the land, water, and air.
Worse still, many of these companies are complicit in the ongoing loss of pollinators, particularly bees, which are critical to food production.
Bayer-CropScience and Environmental Destruction
Bayer-CropScience’s focus on profits from its crop-protection division is having devastating effects on both the environment and human health. One of their most notorious products, the insecticide Imidacloprid (sold as Gaucho), is linked to the mass death of bees. Bees play a vital role in food production, and their decline directly threatens human food supplies. Despite the dangers, Bayer continues to sell this toxic pesticide, prioritizing immediate profits over the long-term survival of humanity.
Soil Depletion and Agricultural Practices
The agricultural practices promoted by Bayer and other biotech giants like Syngenta, BASF, Corteva, FMC, Sumitomo are destroying the planet’s topsoil. Healthy soil, which takes thousands of years to form, is being eroded rapidly due to poor farming practices such as monocropping and the overuse of chemical fertilizers and pesticides. These practices strip the soil of beneficial microorganisms and nutrients, making it less capable of supporting sustainable farming. In the process, they contribute to global desertification.
The Illusion of Technological Solutions
Proponents of biotech argue that technology will eventually solve the environmental damage caused by industrial agriculture. However, this belief is akin to the misguided faith in future technologies, like nitrogen-powered cars, to fix current environmental crises. The truth is that many of these technologies, such as genetically modified crops, come with harmful side effects that are not easily mitigated. The idea that new technology will clean up the mess created by industrial agriculture is dangerously naive.
Food Quality and Nutritional Deficiencies
The overuse of chemical fertilizers and pesticides has not only destroyed the soil but also degraded the nutritional value of our food. Crops grown in depleted soils are far less nutritious than those grown with sustainable practices. While biotech companies claim to be "feeding the world," the food they produce is often devoid of essential micronutrients. This is why many crops, like lettuce and corn, offer little nutritional value compared to those grown before industrial agriculture took over.
Wasteful Practices: Sewage and Food Production
Cities like New York discharge raw sewage into the ocean, wasting valuable nutrients that could be used to enrich the soil and improve food production. In contrast, some researchers have found ways to safely grow food using sewage biosolids, which are rich in nutrients. This wasteful practice of dumping sewage into the sea is a stark reminder of how disconnected modern society has become from sustainable food production methods.
The Toxic Supply Chain: Oil and Agriculture
The global food supply chain is deeply dependent on oil. From the diesel used to plow fields to the fuel required to transport food and pesticides, every stage of food production and distribution contributes to environmental degradation. The reliance on oil for agriculture is one of the reasons why food quality is so poor and why prices remain high. Shipping, pesticide spraying, and fossil fuel-powered machinery all add to the cost of food, while also polluting the environment.
What You Can Do: Support Local and Organic Farming
One way to counteract the negative impact of industrial agriculture is to support local and organic farmers. Shopping at local farmers' markets, purchasing certified organic products, and avoiding GMOs whenever possible can help reduce the demand for harmful agricultural practices. While this is not a perfect solution, it does contribute to a more sustainable and healthy food system.
The Dangerous Power of Big Ag
The biotech giants—Bayer, Syngenta, BASF, Corteva, FMC, Sumitomo—are not only polluting the environment but also violating human rights. Every year, hundreds of thousands of people die directly from pesticide exposure. The companies profit from practices that deprive farmers of food, water, and livelihoods, and they push harmful products like genetically engineered "terminator seeds" that are sterile and cannot be replanted, trapping farmers into a cycle of dependency on these corporations.
Terminator Seeds and Global Food Security
Monsanto’s terminator seeds, which are designed to be sterile and unable to reproduce, represent a grave threat to global food security. Farmers who buy these seeds cannot save any of their crops to plant the next season, and if these seeds spread, they could render entire crop species sterile. This would have catastrophic consequences for food production worldwide, potentially leading to mass starvation. The biotech companies’ relentless pursuit of profit through technologies like terminator seeds puts the entire global food system at risk.
The Path Forward
To avoid the disastrous consequences of industrial agriculture, we must embrace more organic and sustainable farming practices. This shift requires a concerted effort to reduce reliance on harmful pesticides, genetically modified crops, and the oil-dependent agricultural system. Only by supporting local, organic food production can we hope to build a resilient and nutritious food system for the future.
Spatula at Kroeger $20. Similar at Dollar General down the street: $1. Both are probably Chinese.
References:
Guthman, J. (2004). The trouble with “organic lite” in California: A call for critical research in the sociology of agriculture. Sociologia Ruralis, 44(4), 301-315. H
Smith, C., & Smith, J. (2019). Organic certification: Costs, benefits, and barriers for smallholder farmers in developing countries. Agricultural Economics, 50(2), 183-195.
Willer, H., & Lernoud, J. (2020). The world of organic agriculture: Statistics and emerging trends 2020. Research Institute of Organic Agriculture (FiBL) and IFOAM - Organics International. https://www.fibl.org
Cheng, L., Ding, Y., & Zhou, Q. (2018). Pesticide residue in imported and domestic fruits and vegetables in China. Environmental Toxicology and Pharmacology, 63, 9-16.
FDA. (2020). Pesticide residue monitoring program. U.S. Food and Drug Administration. https://www.fda.gov/food/pesticides
Nriagu, J. O. (2019). Global health and the chemistry of heavy metals. Springer.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). (2018). Salmonella outbreak linked to raw chicken. https://www.cdc.gov/salmonella/
Cheng, L., Ding, Y., & Zhou, Q. (2018). Pesticide residue in imported and domestic fruits and vegetables in China. Environmental Toxicology and Pharmacology, 63, 9-16.
FDA. (2021). Dietz & Watson recalls ready-to-eat deli meat products due to possible Listeria contamination. https://www.fda.gov/food/food-recalls-and-alerts/dietz-watson-recalls-ready-eat-deli-meat-products-due-possible-listeria-contamination
Guthman, J. (2004). The trouble with “organic lite” in California: A call for critical research in the sociology of agriculture. Sociologia Ruralis, 44(4), 301-315.
Krause, A. (2023). The hidden costs of shrinkflation: How grocery prices are rising while portions shrink. Consumer Reports. https://www.consumerreports.org
Moore, T. (2022). How grocery stores are managing product substitutions for online orders. Retail Dive. https://www.retaildive.com
Nriagu, J. O. (2019). Global health and the chemistry of heavy metals. Springer.
Smith, C., & Smith, J. (2019). Organic certification: Costs, benefits, and barriers for smallholder farmers in developing countries. Agricultural Economics, 50(2), 183-195.
Bjørndal, T., & Davíðsdóttir, B. (2019). The economics of the global seafood industry: A sustainable perspective. Springer.
Cameron, R. (2021). The role of antibiotics in food production and their impact on human health. Journal of Environmental Health, 83(9), 26-32.
Gornall, J., Betts, R., Burke, E., et al. (2010). Implications of climate change for food security in the UK. Food Security, 2(4), 233-246.
Nriagu, J. O. (2019). Global health and the chemistry of heavy metals. Springer.
Smith, C. (2016). The truth about cage-free eggs: Animal welfare and food ethics. Agriculture and Human Values, 33(4), 845-857.
Spink, J., & Moyer, D. C. (2013). Defining the concept of food fraud. Journal of Food Science, 78(12), 531-536.
Willer, H., & Lernoud, J. (2020). The world of organic agriculture: Statistics and emerging trends 2020. Research Institute of Organic Agriculture (FiBL) and IFOAM - Organics International. https://www.fibl.org
Food and Agriculture Organization. (2020). Food imports from developing countries: Market opportunities and challenges. FAO.
U.S. Department of Agriculture. (2022). USDA Foreign Agricultural Service: Export and Import Statistics. USDA.
U.S. Food and Drug Administration. (2019). FDA Import Program: Seafood and food products from Southeast Asia and China. FDA.
U.S. Food and Drug Administration. (2020). Food Safety and Imported Food. FDA.
U.S. International Trade Commission. (2021). Seafood trade: U.S. imports and exports. U.S. International Trade Commission.
Tracy Turner is a 1977 Graduate of Tri-Cities Horticultural Trade School with over 6,000 hours of instruction and study of Horticulture, Botany and Arboriculture. Several years into a professional landscape career, my maternal grandmother informed me her father was a botanist who owned a rare seed and bulb business in four states near the Great Lakes. My grandma Beulah did a lot of logistical support work with scientists from National Geographic, Audubon and the Sierra Club. Both my mother and Beulah grew lush gardens at home, where I learned Latin plant names without even realizing it was the nomenclature of botany. I also learned master mechanics and much about the petroleum industry from both my father and his' father Claude. Both men died young with severe health ailments from years of petrol-chemical exposure. Prior to his career at Atlantic Richfield, he and Grandma Turner had farmed in Indiana. My Dad's mother grew flowers and vegetables, made her own roses from cuttings, etc. My own career included much time in large family owned nurseries and owning my own landscape business many years. During the dot-com bubble, I worked in IT and took a lot of Computer Science courses. When I started missing my ecology career roots I worked as a plant propagator at a large arboretum where I was in charge of the outdoor scientific collection nursery. The most gratifying work I have ever done was planting five varieties of willow, cottonwood and mule fat cuttings into a riparian waterway -- reforesting a nature habitat damaged by cattle grazing. Turning dry desert into a duck pond is extremely gratifying. To help stop farmland desertification and ocean acidification, find out what these words mean: mycorrhizae hyphae, mycelium, vermiculture, and beneficial soil organisms, topsoil. The top 4 companies that control the top 147 companies who occupy the Earth's governments are destroying the Earth's mycorrhizae hyphae, mycelium, vermiculture, beneficial soil organisms, topsoil. The results are desertification and ocean acidification, aka global warming. There is no debate, there is only 147 companies starting Astroturf think tanks that do not ever talk about empirical science... mycorrhizae hyphae, mycelium, vermiculture, beneficial soil organisms, topsoil -- True sustainability vs Astroturf-sustainability. See olivebiodiesel.com for more info.