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 17.000 (July 2010) supporters.
- foodwatch goes Europe – an exciting project
One of the most important global sustainability challenges this century will be to meet humankind’s growing food needs. This means not only producing food in sufficient quantities, but also providing healthy and safe food to everyone, everywhere. To achieve this goal, consumer rights must play a key role. mehr »
How foodwatch is financed
In order to operate independently foodwatch accepts no government funding and is financed by membership fees and donations. foodwatch is a non-profit organisation.
mehr »
How Deutsche Bank, Goldman Sachs and Other Financial Institutions Are speculating With Food at the Expense of the Poorest
The foodwatch report „The Hunger-Makers“ shows how institutional investors like investmank banks and insurance companies raise the price of food stuffs by betting on commodities. foodwatch therefore calls on legislators in Europe to exclude institional investors from commodities trading. Additionally we need to impose effective position limits for trading with commodity futures and to prohibit the issuers of commodity index funds and certificates at least from investing in agricultural and energy commodities.
mehr »
„Calculated Fatalities from Radiation“
After Fukushima: Setting official radiation value limits for foodstuffs does not offer enough health protection to the population – foodwatch and IPPNW call for drastic improvement – a report on the risks to health from radioactively contaminated food
mehr »
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.
mehr »
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.
mehr »
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.
mehr »
Exports of carcass meal are halted after foodwatch publishes findings
