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Could poor diet be partly responsible for depression?

The subject of depression has come to the fore in Germany following the suicide of the German national goalkeeper, Robert Enke. According to the ecological magazine MyLife, published by Burda, researchers have discovered that diet could have a role to play in determining whether depression develops and how intensely it is experienced.
Scientists from University College London have evaluated data from the Whitehall-II study paying particular attention to the physical well-being and individual dietary habits of about 3,500 subjects.
The scientists’ assumptions have indeed confirmed that highly processed food is not only detrimental to physical health but also to mental health. Subjects who had been eating large quantities of processed meat, sausages, sweets, fried foods and white flour were found to be at greater risk of depression than those who essentially ate fresh foods such as fruit, vegetables and fish.

Deception in the organic labelling of cosmetics

On 5 November 2009, the National Organic Standards Board of the US ministry of agriculture issued a recommendation in an attempt to solve the problem of the deceptive labelling of organic products.
The recommendation is putting pressure on those responsible for the National Organic Program (NOP) to ensure that the term “organic” is only used for personal-care products if an independent verification has confirmed that it is used correctly according to the US guidelines. It is claimed that personal-care products are currently being marketed with organic labelling even though they are not associated with any clear standard and have not obtained any organic certification.
The problem of the misuse of the terms “organic” and “natural” is not restricted to the USA. Product lines labelled as “natural” are being launched on the market when they are nothing more than conventional cosmetics.

Melvita opens shops worldwide

As announced in the “Biofach Newsletter”, the French natural cosmetics firm Melvita is to open a number of natural cosmetics businesses with the support of L'Occitane in Germany. The first one is to be launched next spring in Karlsruhe.
Melvita was established over 25 years ago in the region of Ardèche. In June 2008, the founder and owner Bernard Chevilliat went into partnership with L’Occitane. He works as a consultant with L’Occitane in the research and development department.
Melvita has manufactured 250 products to date which are sold in around 2,000 natural and health food shops in France and in 500 chemists. There are already three Melvita businesses in the South of France. Specialised stores were opened for the first time abroad in Zagreb in April 2009 and in Slovenia in June. After Hong Kong and Istanbul, Melvita shops are also to be opened in the USA in 2010.

Beauty treatment & climate protection:
prize awarded to an Andalusian organic oil for its carbon-footprint value

How damaging is the cosmetics industry to the climate and to what extent can it prevent a climatic disaster? These questions have seldom been raised. However, a Spanish oil mill has been considering these issues and has been awarded a prize in this connection. The association of young entrepreneurs (AJE) from Córdoba awarded a prize to the firm Alcubilla 2000 because it is the first and only Spanish oil mill to be confirmed and verified in connection with its CO2 emissions stemming from production and transport. This is stated on the packaging of the 11 glass bottles of organic, native Extra “LUQUE” olive oil. The “CO2 verified” project was established by the “association of environmentally friendly firms from Andalusia” (EPEA). The CO2 emissions measured are verified by an independent body. In addition, the participating firms undertake to reduce their emissions and ensure that consumers are informed. Alcubilla 2000, which is based in the Province of Cordoba, only presses organic olives. 56% of the products are exported, principally to the USA, Japan, France, Italy and Norway.

November 2009

Chemical cocktails present a risk for men

According to the Biofach-Newsletter, a new study has revealed that a mixture of different chemicals is more damaging than was previously assumed. “Researchers have found that the normal reproductive development of male rats was disturbed by a certain mixture of chemicals found in food, goods and the environment. The study confirms the flaws in the applicable pesticide regulations according to which components are only tested individually rather than in terms of their effects as mixtures.”
I have for a long term indicated in my books that the “cocktail effect” of cosmetic chemicals needs to be examined as a matter of urgency because it can create major problems. This is particularly true of highly creative cosmetic chemicals.

EU Commission: 50 million euros invested in alternatives to animal testing

The money is coming in at last! As was announced some time ago, the EU is now planning to provide 50 million euros for the development of scientific safety tests for cosmetics which are more reliable, faster and cheaper than animal testing. The aim is to do away with animal testing in research and increase the safety of products for consumers.

France: 6% organic farming in 2012

Organic farming is to be developed according to the Loi Grenelle law enacted at the beginning of August in France. Article 31 lays down clear goals for French organic farming:

• By 2012, 6% of the useful agricultural area is to be governed by ecological conditions; this figure is set to rise to 20% by 2020. The doubling of the maximum organic operation rate has been decided upon as a specific supportive measure.
• The Norwegian government is also planning to do more promote organic farming. Its aim is to achieve an organic share of 15% in farming and consumption by 2015. Part of the plan involves supplying certain units of the Norwegian army with organic food within the framework of a pilot project.

Genetically modified linseed

The German minister for agriculture, Aigner has appealed to the EU Commission to oppose the introduction of generically modified linseed in the EU.

Culinary herbs as an organic insecticide

Scientists in the USA have discovered that environmentally-friendly pesticides can be obtained from herbs such as rosemary, thyme, cloves and mint. In the context of a growing intrest in organically produced fruit and vegetables, these herbs could offer organic agriculture a new weapon for combating irritating insects.