On Monday, December 4th, NBC's Today Show ran a slanted segment called "How Fresh is Organic?" which perpetuated several myths about organic food with little or no factual support.

See a clip of the show "Gimmick or For Real - How Fresh is Organic Food?"

Join us in asking NBC to give equal time and consideration to the many benefits of organics with a follow-up story

Sample Letter for Campaign

Dear [ Decision Maker ] ,

December 11, 2006

Today Show NBC Universal 30 Rockefeller Plaza New York, NY 10112 (212) 956-2395

Viewer Comment Line: 212-664-3499 General Number 212-664-4249 Today@NBC.com

Re. How Fresh Is Organic Food?

Your December 4, 2006 segment "How Fresh Is Organic Food?" perpetuated several myths about organic food, with little or no factual support. As a viewer and careful consumer I am writing to ask you to do a follow-up story, giving equal time and consideration to the value of organics.

Please take the following into consideration:

Your piece failed to adequately address the key health benefit of organics, namely that they are produced without hazardous synthetic pesticides. Many of these pesticides are known to cause cancer, birth defects and other serious health effects.

By asserting that consumers need not buy certain organic varieties, your story perpetuates the false notion that consumers are disconnected from the harmful health effects of industrial food production. Synthetic pesticides and fertilizers contaminate our waterways and pollute the air, exposing us to health hazards not only in food but in our environment. Organic foods are also desirable because they do not include genetically engineered ingredients, and are not irradiated like may conventional food products.

Your piece also confuses the key issue of bacterial contamination of food. Recently authorities determined that conventional produce tainted with harmful e.coli 0157:H7 was responsible for two recent food poisoning outbreaks. Your piece somehow manages to ignore the evidence that bacterial contamination in the mainstream food system is responsible for such severe outbreaks (often resulting in death or serious illnesses), and instead uses a small sample and unscientific method to focus on so-called "freshness" bacteria that pose no health threat.

People increasingly want fresh food, rather than food preserved by chemicals for lengthy periods. Your story ignored the growing movement to support local farmers, who grow food organically and/or sustainably.

No mention was given to the many health concerns resulting from conventional agriculture, such as the massive overuse of antibiotics in animal production, which has been linked to the spread of antibiotic resistance disease, or the health effects from air and water pollution associated with confined mass livestock operations.

Thank you for your attention to this issue.

Sincerely,

Campaign Launched:
December 11, 2006