Monday, September 3, 2007

Watch Out For the "Organic" Label

"In China, going organic is nothing new
Sometimes, people find that the oldest ways may be the best.

Organic farm manager Guo Changjun is just one such person. He believes that returning to traditional cultivation methods can provide a better future for the agricultural industry, a better environment for future generations, and a guarantee of safety for the coming Beijing Olympic Games.

His organic farm, located near the Badaling section of the Great Wall, where the strong smell of manure is impossible to avoid, will supply 4,000 tons of vegetables to the Beijing Games.

"Organic farming is not a new thing in Chinese agriculture. We did it thousands of years ago and now we are just going back to the traditions with some modern technologies," said Guo.
What this puff piece fails to mention is that "going organic" in China means using night soil. It is why foreigners and Chinese a like must peel all fruit and carefully wash (or avoid) lettuce.

No comments: