foodwatch

Foodwatch eV (german food, nutrition ' and watch, guard ') is a non- ideal association which deals with the rights of consumers and the quality of food. Food Watch was founded in Berlin in October 2002 by former Greenpeace CEO Thilo Bode, who since then acts as a board within the meaning of the Act and as Managing Director. Deputy Managing Director and Head of campaigns, Matthias Wolf Schmidt.

Objectives

Purpose of the association is according to the statute, the " advice and information to consumers in the field of agriculture and food production, trade and sale of consumer goods and the provision of services". The club also has political goals: It is currently dictating " the food industry, the policy rules of the game " means food and watch for changes in the law. The association is combined sue the infringer.

Members

In December 2012, the association had claims to more than 25,000 conveyor; this includes non-voting members conveyor, conveyor voting members and one-time donors. The number of voting members is not published. According to the Constitution, it should, however, be no more than 100; according to the advertising of foodwatch focused on sponsors and donors.

Finances

According to information foodwatch financed " from the contributions of the supporting members and donations ." On government subsidies will dispense; Donations from business would only be accepted if this would produce no conflicts of interest. To build the organization from 2002 to 2005 had around 1.5 million euros, mainly, fronted by long-term loans from the GLS Bank and of private persons.

, 2007, the club on an ongoing budget of around one million euros, which came to 78 percent of funding contributions and small donations of less than 5,000 euros and 20 percent of large donations and foundations. This was used for campaigns (39 percent), member support and advertising (27 percent), media and public relations ( 18 percent) and administration ( 16 percent).

2009 announced foodwatch to be able to cover the running costs completely by contributions from sponsoring members and small donations.

, 2011, foodwatch a budget of around € 1.77 million, which came to 85% of funding contributions and donations, 13% from foundations and major donors, and 2% of other income.

Activities

Food Watch accesses especially popular media topics such as food scandals and thereby positions itself as a public advocacy organization of consumers to the food industry. These drives the organization campaigns by Greenpeace model; the best known is considered the substance acrylamide, which may occur during heating of carbohydrate-containing foods. For several years testing foodwatch regular potato chips and Christmas cookies on the cancer suspicious acrylamide. Potato chips were tested in August 2007.

The end of 2006 revealed foodwatch a lie on the advertising of McDonald's. The company had promised to offer bread without chemical additives, which did not correspond to the facts. After intervention foodwatch McDonald's changed the slogan to " natural -caking agent " to. This in turn was a breach of the Food Act. Once again step a foodwatch what McDonald's has signed a cease and desist letter.

In early 2007 filed a complaint against the company foodwatch SNP (part of the food group Vion NV), GePro ( PHW Group ), the fertilizer dealer Beckmann and the veterinary offices of counties Diepholz, Emsland, Oldenburg and Vechta. The ad was based on the allegation that the companies operate illegal trade with meat and bone meal (K3 material) and the offices would provide this aid. Although appropriate waste and animal meal made ​​therefrom may enter the human food chain, the consumer organization found appropriate for clues. In response to these investigations by the Prosecutor's Office revealed that the trade with the meal actually took place, but with the approval of the competent authorities and, therefore, was not a criminal offense. The permits themselves have, however, violate any applicable laws. Since aid only exists from a legal perspective, if the predicate offense is punishable, the investigation was set against both the company and against the authorities in late 2007. The approval practice of the authorities was subsequently revised.

In 2008, the organization criticized based on its own data collection official readings from the provinces, that in some places in Germany the drinking water was more contaminated with uranium than previously known. In particular, the information policy of the authorities was questioned and demanded that the consumer should be informed to the next water bill over the uranium content of its drinking water. The drinking water regulation provides no limit for uranium. 2006 was after foodwatch research and an action for the provision of information, a limit for uranium was added to the mineral water regulation: mineral and table water that is " suitable for the preparation of baby food " advertised as, since no more than 2 micrograms of uranium per liter may contain. In the run already, the Federal Institute for Risk Assessment had called, mineral water for infant formula should be free of uranium. The Federal Environment Agency criticized, however, that there would be a risk of overestimation due to the new regulation, since water will dangerous for the preparation of baby food only from 10 micrograms of uranium per liter.

Since March 2009, the organization awards the Golden puffs as a negative price for food advertising.

Criticism

The Federal Minister of Food, Agriculture and Consumer Protection Ilse Aigner (CSU ) criticized Thilo Bode and the campaigns of Food Watch. Bode live from the " scandal ," said Aigner: " That's his business model to attract as many members and donations. " You think " campaigns that create a climate of uncertainty for concern ".

2012 subject to Food Watch in court against the company Unilever. Food Watch had claimed that the margarine Becel pro.activ causes side effects and called for a ban on sales. Unilever Food Watch tossed before a smear campaign and prevailed in court.