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Sometimes you have to wonder. When hubby and I decided to make an organic way of gardening into an organic way of life for our family there was a lot to learn. We learned the truth behind the “natural” labels on our food and about food production and big corporarions. It’s been a real eye-opener!

Like so many others, we trusted “independent” brands that were dedicated to organic products, sustainable practices and social awareness.Good stewards of God’s creation. We bought the yogurt, used the toothpaste and ate the ice cream. Then came this bit of news (Source: Organic Consumer’s Assoc. March 17, 2009) that most of the companies have sold out to large corporations that now run production and distribution. Yup, small home-grown organic businesses run by everyday folks sold for millions of dollars. Just take a look:

Burt’s Bees (natural honey products) sold to CLOROX in 2007 for $925 million. Yes, the same bleach company that makes Pine-Sol and other harsh chemical cleaners.

Ben and Jerry’s Ice Cream sold to Unilever in 2007 for $326 million.

Tom’s of Maine (popular natural toothpaste products) owned by Colgate-Palmolive makers of soaps, deodorants etc.

Stonyfield Farm Yogurt sold to French corporation Danone, though the Stonyfield CEO is still involved.

Horizon Organic Milk was bought by Dean Foods, the largest dairy co. in the USA.

Odwalla natural fresh-squeezed juices from Ca. bought by Coke in 2001 for $181 million.

Naked natural juices bought by Pepsi in 2006 for $450 million.

After the Fall, R.W. Knudsen and Santa Cruz organic juice brands were bought by Smucker’s.

Kashi cereals is now owned by the Kellogg’s conglomerate.

Back to Nature was sold to Kraft (which has ties to companies that produce cigarettes!)

Cascadian Farms is owned by General Mills.

And the list goes on to include candy and even natural product stores bought out by huge corporations. Look closely at the labels and you won’t see any mention of corporate ownership, and that’s intentional. Like I said, sometimes you have to wonder.

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