The world’s top food companies and farmers of crops such as beet sugar are pitted against each other as they lobby the U.S. government over plans to label genetically engineered ingredients. Genetically engineered food is a controversial topic. But mandatory labeling of genetically modified organisms in food products may actually improve consumer attitudes toward GMO foods, according to a new study. A farm at Augusta Health hospital in Virginia provides organic produce for patients. This hospital garden is one of many taking health and recovery back to the soil. Organic fruit and vegetables in the supermarket are often packaged and labeled with plastic. But unnecessary packaging and plastic stickers could be replaced by an innovative laser mark. In other news, Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Scott Pruitt resigned after months of scandals. Emails have revealed a close rapport between top EPA officials and industries they regulate. Monsanto will face a lawsuit that seeks to determine whether the active ingredient in its weedkiller is to blame for a California man’s terminal cancer. Neonicotinoid pesticides have commonly been linked to the plight of honeybees. But a new study from the University of Guelph finds that honeybees aren’t the only non-pest creatures coming into contact with the pesticides.

Trust in Transparency: Study Shows Labeling GMO Foods Improves Consumers’ Attitudes

The world’s top food companies and farmers of crops such as beet sugar are pitted against each other as they lobby the U.S. government over plans to label genetically engineered ingredients.

Hershey, Unilever: GMO labeling should apply to highly refined oils, sweeteners

Genetically engineered food is a controversial topic. But research shows that mandatory labeling of genetically modified organisms in food products may actually improve consumer attitudes toward GMO foods, according to a new study published in the journal Science Advances.

Farm at hospital provides organic produce for patients

There is a rule when harvesting produce at the farm at Augusta Health — your hands have to be very clean. If you touch your face or your hair you have to wash your hands again. “It needs to be okay for immunocompromised patients,” explained Maya Epelbaum, the local food coordinator for the Allegheny Mountain Institute farm at Augusta Health.

Finally, an alternative to plastic for labeling organics

Ironically, organic fruit and vegetables are often packaged and labeled with plastic. But such unnecessary packaging and plastic stickers could be replaced by an innovative laser mark. Will it catch on? 

EPA chief Scott Pruitt resigns amid scandals, citing ‘unrelenting attacks’

Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Scott Pruitt has resigned after months of ethics controversies, citing “the unrelenting attacks” on himself and his family, which “have taken a sizable toll on all of us.” 

Monsanto’s Roundup weed-killer goes on trial with billions at stake

After it was introduced in the 1970s, Roundup was promoted as an “herbicide that gets to the root of the problem.” Now, four decades later, manufacturer Monsanto will face a lawsuit that seeks to get to the root of another problem: whether the active ingredient in the weed-killer is to blame for a California man’s terminal cancer. If Monsanto fails to persuade the court that its product isn’t to blame, the agricultural company’s flagship product could take a hefty hit.

Neonicotinoid Pesticides Have Been Found in Wild Turkeys

Neonicotinoid pesticides have commonly been linked to the plight of honeybees. But a new study from the University of Guelph finds that honeybees aren’t the only non-pest creatures that are coming into contact with the pesticides.

Neonicotinoids, sometimes called neonics, are pesticides chemically similar to nicotine, hence their name. There are several different varieties, with the three most common being imidacloprid, thiamethoxam and clothianidin. They’re exceedingly prevalent in the U.S. and were also used in Europe—at least before they were banned in the EU earlier this year.