It ain't over until the biotech giant screams: Wal-Mart says its private-label milk will be produced with no artificial growth hormones, aka Monsanto's rBST drug Posilac. (Globe and Mail) Related: Kroger wants to be able to tell consumers in its more than 3,200 groceries and convenience stores that its milk is rBST-free, and it's not very happy that Monsanto's pawn Ohio is vetoing its labels. (The Enquirer)
You lose some, you win most: Mexico approves rules to begin planting genetically modified corn. Monsanto cackles quietly to itself before throwing puppies in the cauldron. (Reuters)
Raw-milk victory followed by stormtrooper visit: A judge granted raw-milk producers Organic Pastures and Claravale a temporary restraining order against the state, reports David Gumpert at The Complete Patient, but a few hours later the Feds came calling to harass OP employees for selling its milk across state lines as pet food. We sleep so much better knowing that the FDA is devoting manpower to important problems like that instead of these.
No E. coli left behind: A simple change in laboratory methods means USDA inspectors will find more beef contaminated with deadly E. coli bacteria this year. (The Des Moines Register)
Oh, that's all right then: Scientists have transplanted a gene from the roundworm C. elegans into pigs to create "heart-healthy" meat. Three of the six piglets subsequently had to be killed because of heart defects. "These defects appear to be a result of the cloning process rather than the introduced gene," this industry article deadpans. (Pig Progress)
Appearances are everything: Nobody seems happy with the USDA's proposed new "naturally raised" meat labeling plan, which will be allowed to exist cheek by jowl with the meaningless "natural." One problem cited: Meat that doesn't qualify as naturally raised "will appear to be somehow 'unnatural.'" (Des Moines Register)
Bubble, bubble, toil and trouble?: Farmland prices in Iowa are rising rapidly — over 18% in the last year on average — despite the current nationwide credit crisis. Strong demand for corn (thanks to ethanol refining tax credits and other government policies) is a big reason, as is land speculation by hedge funds and other financial institutions. (Agriculture.com; via The Rural Blog)
Plants are suffocating: Part of the controversy around the EPA's recent revision of the ozone standard is the White House's weakening of the "secondary standard," which is intended to protect plants from ozone damage. One researcher interviewed found an unexpectedly strong impact of air pollution on crops. (Living on Earth)
G'day, GMOs: More than 700 groups and individuals have signed a letter urging Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd and senior ministers to examine the health risks associated with genetically modified foods. (The Age)
Assuming you don't die of boredom first: Study finds gluten-free vegan diet may help ease rheumatoid arthritis. (Reuters)
Not in My Child's Body: An internal report by the FDA found that there was little or no support among Americans for food from cloned animals, claims the Center for Food Safety et al. (Food Quality News)
Breast milk 17, formula 0: Naturally occurring arsenic in well water is a health threat or many Bangladeshis, but a new study finds that breastfeeding can protect babies from arsenic exposure even if the mothers' arsenic exposure was relatively high. (Environmental Health Perspectives)
Fertilizer companies spent $900,000 on lobbying in 2007 (CNN Money/AP)
Prized Spanish fighting bull to be cloned (New York Times)
Plastics industry battles bag bans (MSNBC.com)
Sisters from Virginia sell Illinois-shaped corn flake on eBay for $1,350 (Capital Press)