UK: Tesco under fire on organic food’s carbon footprint; Tesco’s Carbon Reduction Label criticized for not properly crediting organics for a lower carbon footprint.

“The Carbon Trust developed The Carbon Reduction Label to tell customers how much CO2 and other greenhouse gases are being produced through the lifecycle of a product, including production, transport, use and disposal. In determining the carbon footprint of Tesco’s products, The Carbon Trust has used the PAS 2050 draft standard for products’ carbon footprinting, which it is developing together with DEFRA and BSI British Standards. This draft does not include ’soil carbon’, which is why the carbon footprints of Tesco’s organic tomatoes and potatoes don’t reflect the potential extra deductions of CO2 that the Soil Association refers to.”

Of note, at least to us at Organicanews carbon foot print labeling as another example of the proliferation of label claims for consumer products. Should not organics, by very definition indicate a lower carbon footprint due to the lack of conventional fertilizers and increased carbon sequestration through the use of cover crops and compost? This is one area where organic producers, certifiers, and regulators are missing the opportunity to once again speak up on the full range of benefits that come from organic farming.  Read the entire article at www.freshplaza.com/news_detail.asp?id=21072