Organic Processing Vo1.7 #1 - January/February 2010

tory to stop the spread of genetically
modified sugar beets. A federal court
ruled that USDA’s approval of Mon-
santo Company’s “Roundup Ready”
sugar beets was unlawful. The court
ordered USDA to conduct an assess-
ment of the environmental and eco-
Mountain Gringo and Straus Family Creamery. New Chapter and
Rainbow Light joined as the first vitamin and supplement companies
to enroll products, and EO Products enrolled the first body care
items. In August and September, 10 companies joined, including En-
dangered Species Chocolate, organic baked goods manufacturer
Mary’s Gone Crackers, and tofu-maker Pulmone Wildwood. In Octo-
ber and November, 13 companies joined, including Organic Valley,
Annie’s Homegrown and Springfield Creamery. With the new addi-
tions, the number of companies and brands participating in the Non-
GMO Project now exceeds 50, and more continue to join.

nomic impacts of the crop on farmers and the environment.

Plaintiffs Center for Food Safety, Organic Seed Alliance, Sierra Club and High Mowing Seeds, represented by Earthjustice and the Center for Food Safety, filed suit in January 2008, alleging USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service failed to adequately assess the environmental, health, and associated economic impacts of allowing Roundup Ready sugar beets to be commercially grown without restriction. The court ruled in the plaintiffs’ favor, proving that when the industry works together it can make an impact.

95 percent of sugar beets are now estimated to be grown with GMO seeds.

More Companies Join Non-GMO
Project

Working together is what the Non-GMO Project is about and recently many more companies have joined the effort. From July to November 2009, 30 new companies made the commitment to be part of the Non-GMO Project.