foodwatch fights for consumers' rights

17.02.2010

foodwatch is a non-profit and independent organisation that draws public attention to practices in the food industry that are not in the interests of consumers. foodwatch fights for the right of consumers to honestly know what they are buying and to enjoy good food that is healthy and uncontaminated. We are fed up with being fed off.

What's the problem?

What we eat is no longer something we decide on ourselves. The food industry, lobbyists and politicians have control over what will end up on our plates and what we are allowed to know about our food. This has to stop!

Why is it like this?

For several reasons - it's worth it to the food industry, authorities stand back and watch, and consumers still don't defend themselves enough. We won't know the truth about the food on our plates until we as consumers unite and fight for our rights.

What does foodwatch want to do?

• Consumers must have the last word about food. We have to know what is in our food so we can consciously decide what to put on our plates.
• We want the industry to stop misleading the public by making fals promises about food products.
• Laws protect the industry more than they do consumers. This has to change. The industry must not be allowed to expose consumers to risk and go.
• We should look beyond our own noses when we're eating. It's wrong that biofuel for our cars is driving up the price of food all over the world, and that many people in Germany can't afford to eat a balanced diet.
• Consumers must unite and stand up for good and safe food. If we don't defend ourselves, the food industry will stay in the stronger position. foodwatch was founded in 2002 for this reason.

How does foodwatch work?

• foodwatch makes things clear: we do independent research and analysis, we tell the public which food products contain toxins, we name the parties responsible and we tell consumers about the barefaced lies used in food advertising.
• foodwatch interferes: we say what's wrong and don't mince our words to the public and the media.
• foodwatch puts on pressure: we mobilise consumer-protest activities and take offenders to court on behalf of consumers.
• foodwatch is political: we propose changes in the law in areas where no one else seems to care, and we exert pressure to change policies.
• foodwatch is independent: we don't accept any funds from government sources or the food industry. We are completely funded by membership fees and donations from our 15.000 supporters.

 

Information in English

• Financing by means of Contributions and Donations
  In order to guarantee absolute independence, foodwatch declines government funding and is financed solely by means of contributions and donations. foodwatch is a non-profit association.

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• Traffic lights. Colour your food!
  The idea is compelling: With just a glance at the package, consumers should be able to see how much sugar, fat and salt a food product contains. This is exactly what traffic light labels achieve – and this is exactly why the food industry is trying to stop them.

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• Organic: A Climate Saviour?
  foodwatch commissioned the Institute for Ecological Economy Research (IÖW) to examine the respective contribution of conventional and organic agriculture in Germany to the greenhouse effect. The results show that considerable amounts of greenhouse gases can be avoided in the agricultural sector. Consequently, agriculture must finally become part of climate change policy in Germany and at EU level.

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• A critical look at Golden Rice
  Golden Rice is genetically modified so that it generates carotenoids which the human body synthesizes into vitamin A. This variety of rice is supposed to combat vitamin A deficiency in developing countries. Current research has shown that most questions about the quality and safety of this product are unanswered even today.

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• Canadian farmer: "Coexistence is not possible."
  The Canadian farmer Percy Schmeiser was sued by the agricultural company Monsanto for illegaly using genetically manipulated rapeseed. Schmeiser fights back by claiming that pollen of bordering fields contaminated his fields.

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• Exports of carcass meal are halted after foodwatch publishes findings
  foodwatch press release: foodwatch report forces authorities to stop the illegal trade of meat-and-bone meal. foodwatch calls for applying the principles of EU waste legislation to animal by-products.