Whole Foods Won’t Ban Foods From China

The Austin American-Statesman ^ | February 12, 2008 | By Lilly Rockwell

[JACKRUSSELL]

......When asked about whether Whole Foods plans to ban any items from China, I received an e-mail statement from spokeswoman Ashley Hawkins:

“We believe Whole Foods Market is in a different situation when it comes to single-ingredient products from China. We actually carry very little as we don’t carry them in our fresh meat, seafood or produce departments and we offer a very, very small amount in our grocery department.

Our private label family of brands has a small percentage of single-ingredient products that come from China, which equates to less than two percent of our more than 2,000 private label products. We feel that simply discontinuing all single-ingredient products from China is not a solution. Our private label team strives to ensure the quality and safety of our products, regardless of their country of origin. We invest a significant amount of time and energy in order to fully understand all facets of product procurement and we are constantly monitoring emerging global food issues. We are confident that our efforts are paving a positive path for the future when it comes to improving conditions in world markets so that every stakeholder will benefit by having access to higher-quality products. We do not have plans stop the progress we have made with sourcing select high quality products for our private label brands that come from China and other global partners.

For shoppers specifically concerned about purchasing single-ingredient products from China, we offer domestic alternatives. For example, we have an exclusive line of frozen organic fruits and vegetables from Columbia River Organics. These products are grown in the United States and are packaged in Pasco, Washington.”

[JACKRUSSELL]

Related thread about Trader Joe's:

US Store Chain Cuts Sales Of Food From China

[JACKRUSSELL]

(Please FReepmail me if you would like to be on or off of the list.)

[AmericanMade1776]

Read the label, and don’t buy foods from China, then the grocery chains will follow suit. Why pick on Whole Foods, don’t you think lesser food chains carry food from China?

[VeniVidiVici]

Because Whole Foods has been in the news lately about it. Mainly a chain that supposedly devotes itself to environmental causes and “pure”, “organic” food, continues to buy stuff from China. Much worse than your local chain who doesn’t make a statement one way or another.

Though I’m sure the folks who live near the Piggly Wiggly in Charlotte will be interested too.

[jiggyboy]

Well SCREW YOU, Whole Foods! I look on the label now for where my seafood comes from. Shrimp, salmon, mussels, clams — no more from China!

[rurgan]

I’ll continue to buy food and products made in China.

I don’t buy the liberal media made in China hysteria just like I don’t buy the media global warming hoax.

If Chineese products were so harmful then where are the deaths and or law suits ?

[Eye of Unk]

[Eye of Unk]

[Clemenza]

Of course, the Whole Foods bashers will probably ignore the fact that Wal Mart carries less American fish and other food products than Whole Foods does.

[nickcarraway]

The only thing I remember see from WF from China was frozen soy beans. And maybe some teas.

[Eye of Unk]

[Eye of Unk]

[Eye of Unk]

[Eye of Unk]

[Eye of Unk]

[Eye of Unk]

[VeniVidiVici]

Of course, the Whole Foods bashers will probably ignore the fact that Wal Mart carries less American fish and other food products than Whole Foods does.

Wal Mart doesn't purport to be the holier-than-thou of the grocery scene either. When one shops in Wal Mart one expects crap. When one shops in Whole Foods one does not expect products that may kill you.