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Although the large biotech companies - Monsanto in particular - continue to claim that genetically modified foods pose no risk to human health, much of the research on which these claims have been based has been called into question. In this video, Masaharu Kawata, Professor of Microbiology from Japan’s University of Nagoya critically analyses Monsanto’s research. He concludes that the research provided by Monsanto to the Japanese Government, which culminated in the release of genetically modified soy into Japan during the early 1990s, was misleading. Professor Kawata outlines significant discrepancies between Monsanto’s US-based research and that which was provided to Japan’s Health Authorities. Professor Kawata concludes that Monsanto...

Cotton is grown from Brazil to West Africa. Unfortunately, the conditions for cotton growers in many of the world’s poorer regions are not the same as those enjoyed in, for example, the United States. Organophosphate and organochloride pesticides are routinely applied to conventional cotton crops in many developing countries. This is despite the fact that these chemicals have long since been banned in Western countries. It is estimated that 220,000 farmers die from pesticide poisoning each year, while approximately 1 million farmers suffer from adverse health consequences as a result of pesticide exposure. The following documentary, which was produced by the UK’s Pesticide Action Network, looks at the differences between organic...

Jose Elanjhimattam is an organic farmer from Kerala, India. He is one of a growing number of Indian farmers who are making the switch from chemical fertilizers to organic principles. In this video, Jose explains how the loss of soil nutrients arising from past chemical fertilizer misuse had rendered his land sterile. During the three year transition phase Jose’s soil was incapable of supporting crops. Armed with an academic background in agriculture as well as knowledge of traditional Indian farming practices, Jose has been able to successfully reinvigorate his farmland into a productive asset supporting organically grown black pepper crops.

Greg Christian is someone who cares. He cares a lot in fact. As founder and Chairman of the Organic School Project, he’s played an important role in bringing positive food choices to thousands of children. We first talked with Greg while undertaking research for our article on organic choices in schools. As a professional chef, Greg doesn’t assume that he has the requisite credentials to teach others what is, and isn’t, healthy. Instead, he simply aims to help young people learn more about positive food choices. What are positive food choices? In this short video, Greg explains exactly what he means by food being “positive”. Essentially, Greg believes food should be sourced respectfully. He emphasizes the need for...

Organic Dairy FarmingIn Keeping Organic Dairy Traditions Alive, we were introduced to Jon Bansen, an organic dairy farmer. Jon’s knowledge and insights regarding what it means, and what it takes, to be an organic farmer are wonderfully captured in Part II of Cooking Up a Story’s video weblog entitled, Organic Dairyman: The Farmer. Jon Bansen, and other organic farmers like him, will in time prove to be the future of food. Human beings can’t – and shouldn’t be aiming to - change natural processes. Whenever we do, we generally have to deal with the oftentimes unfortunate consequences of the guesswork masqueraded as the scientific underpinning for our interference with natural processes. Fortunately, the pendulum is swinging back in favour...