Comments on: Inside Scoop: Organics from China

By: Nancy Andersson

Nancy Andersson — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 17:37:21 +0000

I do not feel that you are up front with your customers about Chinese frozen vegetables.

I cooked some frozen 365 whole foods organic edamame today. They smelled ROTTEN and tasted off. I then checked the package to see where they were from and learned that they were from China. I almost gagged. I will NEVER again buy your Chinese poor quality produce. EVER.
Please listen to your customers. It makes no sense to fly spinach or edamame from China.
It isn’t good and this is totally hypocritical. BUY LOCAL!

By: Jeanne Phillips

Jeanne Phillips — Thu, 11 Jun 2009 12:54:26 +0000

Beyond the organic ingredients, what about the non organic ingredients that come from China that might be used in all of the products made by other manufacturers that Whole Foods sells, who is checking these? While the organic ingredients that Whole Foods gets may be checked, who is checking or ensuring that your vendors are following the same standards with their organic and non organic ingredients? Many of the products sold at Whole Foods are not organic. Where do the ingredients come from?
Thanks

By: Melissa

Melissa — Sun, 02 Nov 2008 16:23:11 +0000

I’d like to respond to David’s comment:
“I shop in Washington state the land of apples. And I see that at least 75% of the apples are from foreign soil (I would like Whole Foods to comment on their carbon footprint). With the amount of produce Whole foods sells they could make a big impact on the small local farmers if they chose to buy from them before buying from overseas.I have seen the quality of Whole foods produce decline over the years.”

I agree completely with this comment. It’s ironic that I came to this blog to post the same sentiments by using the example of how at my local store in San Francisco, California, all of the apples are “organic” monstrosities (why they are so huge? I just don’t get it) that seem to have a waxy film on them..interesting…and are shipped in from…drum roll..Washington State. I am a long time shopper and can’t figure out why Whole Foods is shipping in apples from Washington when there are plenty of local sources of delicious, organic, normal-sized apples that don’t have a waxy film and don’t cost $3 a piece. It’s incredible that people in Washington State can’t even support their own farmers – rather, we in California have to do it. How does this policy support “eat locally” again?

By: Deann

Deann — Wed, 22 Oct 2008 06:11:49 +0000

I personally do not want to buy any food from China. Organic included.
I would also like larger labels on food items so I know where ALL the ingredients come from. If it’s winter flax that comes from Vietnam, I want to know. If it’s fall flax that comes from Argentina, I want to know. Please make bigger labels so that Whole Fools can have true transparency.
I pay more for food at Whole Foods, and I expect more from Whole Foods.

By: Winnie

Winnie — Fri, 20 Jun 2008 21:28:57 +0000

@Elizabeth Most all of our produce has signage that indicates its origin. We do our best to ensure our customers can make informed decisions about their food.

By: Elizabeth

Elizabeth — Fri, 20 Jun 2008 20:08:40 +0000

One other point, what about unpackaged or loose produce? Is it labeled as to where it was grown? Since it is not specifically identified as the WFM brand, where does it fall in terms of identifying its source?

By: Elizabeth

Elizabeth — Fri, 20 Jun 2008 20:01:16 +0000

I have read the information on WF standards, but I am troubled regarding the reliance on QAI for inspections and verifications. I wrote to them asking about follow up with their producers and issues regarding organic food from China and got a boiler plate, non-answer. In reviewing their certification and follow-up processes–at least as much that I could find, it appears that once a supplier/grower has filed the appropriate paperwork that is it. There does not appear to be any follow-up, on-site certification, or verification of sourcing.

By: Shawn

Shawn — Thu, 19 Jun 2008 00:36:34 +0000

Although I agree that Whole foods can get organic foods from China… How about the whole picture that is China. I would like to know how come Whole foods (which is great company) can help to support a country that suppresses a smaller country like that of tibet along with the people in China. In what ways is Whole Foods trying to change the mistreatment (animal and human)? I really support Whole Foods, but would like to know more. thanks. (I used to live in China for nine years).

By: Ellen

Ellen — Fri, 13 Jun 2008 01:17:41 +0000

I just wanted to comment to Michael Thorne’s comment(who is on the Board of a Celiac Disease support/education group) about having Whole Foods Market gluten free sections. In response to customer requests, there are several Los Angeles area stores who not only have gluten free sections in the store, but also offer gluten free events where customers are educated on the subject and are given an opportunity to taste various gluten free items throughout the store. Individual stores respond to customer concerns and will lend assistance with their dietary needs.

By: Concerned Citizen

Concerned Citizen — Tue, 10 Jun 2008 23:09:03 +0000

Well said Jessica. I couldn’t agree more. Furthermore this decision does not agree with WFM’s 5th core value.

“We care about our Communities and Environement”