Many labels read “organic” these days, but some of them are no more than lies unfortunately.

Aurora Organic Farms [has been discovered] misrepresenting its organic products and mistreating cows. The Cornucopia Institute – dedicated to preserving organic, family-scale farming – found Aurora’s Platteville, CO farm was milking cows 3 times a day instead of the standard twice, and depriving them of grazing space…. Aurora supplies milk for several private labels, including Safeway’s “O,” Publix’s “High Meadows,” and Giant’s “Nature’s Promise. Source: Vegetarian Times Magazine, Feb 2007, Issue 347, page 60“

Sadly I found that was the tip of the iceberg as I did a bit of verification before posting the above fact. Over at the Organic Consumer’s Association (OCA) website, I found out that not only was Aurora Farms in violation, but so is Horizon Farms. Horizon Farms is one of the largest organic milk suppliers in the country – you see them at Whole Foods among other places. The OCA supports a ban of not only those two milk producers, but the companies they supply for. “The Shameless Seven”, i.e. the list of brands to avoid is:

• Horizon
• Aurora
• Costco’s “Kirkland Signature,” (Aurora)
• Safeway’s “O” organics brand (Aurora)
• Publix’s “High Meadows” (Aurora)
• Giant’s “Natures Promise” (Aurora)
• Wild Oats’ (Aurora)

And there is still more. Lest you think that if cow’s milk is trouble you will drown your sorrows in soy milk – be careful there too. Silk soymilk products and Dean Food’s White Wave tofu have both been discovered “sourc[ing] abroad, primarily from Brazil and China. Environmental standards and workers’ rights are routinely violated in these two countries.”

Yikes. And so continues the tedious tightrope of “what to eat.”