"Jonathan Ball" > wrote in message
link.net...

> Currently, there are two possible errors:
> misidentifying organic produce as conventional, which
> grocers have an incentive not to do (immediate monetary
> loss); and misidentifying conventional produce as
> organic, which is against the law.

And a third- having no way of identifying genetically
modified produce, which grocers and the industry have
an incentive not to do (immediate monetary loss).

> The thrust of the article ... posted is
> that grocers somehow want to fool consumers into
> thinking that conventional produce is organic, or at
> least allow them to think it.

The thrust of the article posted is to give shoppers
information so that they can distinguish between
conventional and GM produce, not that anybody
somehow wants to fool consumers into thinking that
conventional produce is organic, but that GM produce
is conventional, or at least allow them to think it.
(Clue, look at the title of the article)

> Organic
> produce in supermarkets is clearly marked as organic,
> for the aforementioned incentive (get more money for
> it). There isn't a shopper anywhere who doesn't know
> that if it doesn't say organic, it isn't organic.


Genetically modified produce is not clearly marked as GM.
for the aforementioned reason (get less, or no, money for it).

> >>pearl wrote:
> >>
> >>
> >>>12-Nov-2003
> >>>
> >>>You've noticed that tiny stickers that now appear on almost all
> >>>fruit, and probably been annoyed that you have to peel each one off.
> >>>These contain bar codes for the check-out clerk, but they also
> >>>contain a secret the store might not want you to know.
<..>
> >>The stickers do NOT contain bar codes. They contain an
> >>eye-readable numeric code that the grocery clerk must
> >>manually into the terminal.

Splitting hairs.

> >>>Nutritionist Karma Metzgar of the University of Missouri writes that
> >>>these stickers also tell you if the fruit is organic or genetically-
> >>>modified. On conventionally-grown, non-organic fruit, the sticker has
> >>>only 4 numbers. Organically grown fruit has a five-numeral code,
> >>>which begins with the number 9. Since organic fruits and vegetables
> >>>now have to be in separate areas in grocery stores, this confirms
> >>>that your apple hasn't ended up in the wrong pile. However, the store
> >>>does not have to reveal which fruits and vegetables are genetically-
> >>>modified-but you can find out by looking at their stickers, which
> >>>will begin with the number 8.
> >>>
> >>>According to Metzgar, this means a regular banana would have a
> >>>sticker saying 4011, an organic banana would say 94011 and a GM
> >>>banana would say 84011.
> >>>
> >>>Lots of people complain that the stickers are too hard to peel off,
> >>>so it may be a relief to know that the adhesive is safe to eat.
> >>>
> >>>http://www.unknowncountry.com/news/?id=3314
> >>>
> >>>
> >>
> >
> >
>