Say it Aint So: Whole Foods Importing "Organic Foods" from China?
I'm a fan of Whole Foods (the US based "organic" supermarket chain) and shop there often when I'm back in the States. Their selection and presentation are great and I often pine for a similar type store in Beijing (sorry Lohao, but you just don't cut it).
Unfortunately, I came across this article claiming that "much of what Whole Foods sells as organic is imported from China."
Frozen spinach, sugar snap peas, California Blend (carrots, cauliflower and broccoli) and more, all selling under the Whole Foods 365 Organic label, come from China, but you have to flip the bag over and read the small print to find this out.
The word organic is supposed to assure no use of harmful pesticides and environmentally friendly growing conditions, at least in the U.S. But what does that word mean in China? Food grown as organic in the U.S. must be approved by the USDA before it can be labeled organic, but food from China does not have this level of supervision.
True indeed, and there is a lot of suspicion out there about the soil quality and methods used by local farmers who claim to grow organic produce.
I suppose I'll still shop at Whole Foods when I'm back in the States, but articles like this make me think twice about believing anything anybody says when it comes to food safety - even outside of China.
Jerry Chan, Editorial Director
Re: Say it Aint So: Whole Foods Importing "Organic Foods" ...
Definitely comes as a shock!
Kara Chin, Managing Editor
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Re: Say it Aint So: Whole Foods Importing "Organic Foods" ...
I guess I'm too jaded to be shocked by this (if it's true) - just goes to show that like everyone else, I'm a sucker for slick marketing, positioning and packaging.
At least the fresh produce section at Whole Foods seems fresh and locally grown, which is reason enough for me to continue going back.
Now if only our local "organic produce" stores had a similar selection at a similar quality, instead of a few baskets filled with a palsy selection of shriveled, dirt-encrusted "produce" of dubious quality and extraction.
Jerry Chan, Editorial Director
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Re: Say it Aint So: Whole Foods Importing "Organic Foods" ...
This one really caught my attention. The way Whole Foods brands and presents itself, you would have never expected an organization like that to be shipping in from China. But they are a business after all and all businesses must manage costs. Goes to show how spiffy packaging can fool even the best of consumers. I'll still go there. They have some real nifty items that are not available anywhere else, you have to admit.
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Re: Say it Aint So: Whole Foods Importing "Organic Foods" ...
Wow, I am shocked. I wonder what their response will be.
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Re: Say it Aint So: Whole Foods Importing "Organic Foods" ...
Well, it will be great news if they do come back and verify, legitimately, that the China import food has met USDA standards. Then, we'll need to source Whole Foods' supplier here and we can all eat as if we've got a Whole Foods around the corner, for probably a third of the price.
Let's wait and see their response....
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