Organic Inc
Who really owns organic?
At heart, the organic movement is driven by ethics, not market-forces. It started out as a reaction to large-scale industrial agriculture, with an anti-establishment vibe which abhorred mass produced, processed food. But, as demand for organic products has grown, big business has moved in, and now accounts for an increasing amount of the market.
Big Food has money and clout. It can support farmers to transition to organic, and throw its weight behind marketing the virtues of organic methods and food. But whilst its products might be organic on paper, has it truly embraced the spirit of the movement, and does that matter?
Emily Thomas talks to three organic farmers who are uneasy about 'Big Organic', and General Mills, one of the largest food producers in the US.
(Image: Composite image of a chicken standing in a suitcase. Credit: Getty)
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Is big business truly embracing organic?
Duration: 02:16
Broadcasts
- Thu 9 May 201902:32GMTBBC World Service Online, Europe and the Middle East & West and Central Africa only
- Thu 9 May 201903:32GMTBBC World Service UK DAB/Freeview
- Thu 9 May 201904:32GMTBBC World Service Australasia, Americas and the Caribbean, South Asia & East Asia only
- Thu 9 May 201910:32GMTBBC World Service except West and Central Africa
- Thu 9 May 201917:32GMTBBC World Service Australasia
- Thu 9 May 201921:32GMTBBC World Service except Europe and the Middle East
- Thu 9 May 201922:32GMTBBC World Service Europe and the Middle East
- Sun 12 May 201907:32GMTBBC World Service
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The Food Chain
Examining what it takes to put food on your plate



