I’ve always said that food and chemical corporations work with public university scientists “behind closed doors” to manipulate the public—and now our movement has irrefutable PROOF. But first, let me start at the beginning…
“The fact that she is able to mobilize this army of blind followers who reject science and follow her words, to smear and harm the reputations of companies that are doing nothing wrong.” – The Atlantic, 2/11/2015Kevin M. Folta, the chairman of the horticultural sciences department at the University of Florida, described Ms. Hari’s lecture at the university last October as a “corrupt message of bogus science and abject food terrorism.” – quoted in New York Times, 3/15/2015“There’s something that dies inside when you are a faculty member that works hard to teach about food, farming and science, and your own university brings in a crackpot to unravel all of the information you have brought to students.” — Folta’s Blog, Food Babe Visits My University, 10/21/2014
Well, NOT ANYMORE.
This week an unprecedented major investigative report was published in the NY Times about how the chemical and food industries work with public university scientists to advance their agendas to the public. Hundreds of emails have now been revealed between University of Florida Professor Dr. Kevin Folta, Monsanto, the biotech front groups, and their PR firm Ketchum after a FOIA (Freedom of Information Act) request was submitted by the nonprofit group U.S. Right To Know.
Why would Monsanto work with a public scientist in the first place?
Some powerful entities in the chemical and food industries have a financial incentive to try to discredit us in the work we have all done together and now we know how they are using public scientists like Dr. Kevin Folta as sock puppets to advance their message. We’ve come a long way in our food movement and things are finally starting to change – people are getting healthier and the food industry is responding to us, but why is someone like Dr. Kevin Folta on a mission to stop our progress?
Newly discovered emails reveal that Folta received a $25,000 unrestricted grant from Monsanto, and even wrote to a Monsanto executive, “I’m glad to sign on to whatever you like, or write whatever you like,” and “I promise a solid return on investment.”
However, Folta previously denied ties to Monsanto, here are 9 different examples:
- “But he denies financial ties.”
- He has “no formal connection to Monsanto.”
- “David [Oppenheimer] and I have no research or personal funding from ‘Big Ag’ – only in our dreams.”
- “Certainly Monsanto (and others) have funded work at my university. Not my work.”
- “I have no financial ties to any of the BigAg companies that make transgenic crops, including Monsanto.”
- “I have nothing to do wth MON“
- “I’m an independent scientist. Not Monsanto.”
- “I am one of thousands of independent, public scientists worldwide…”
- “I have nothing to do with Monsanto. I’m not, you know, I don’t work for them… I am not a shill (laughing)… I’m a public scientist.”
Monsanto sells Roundup, the chemical that is sprayed on the majority of GMO seeds. The main ingredient in Roundup was recently classified as a probable carcinogen. They are in panic mode trying to repair their image and will do anything to confuse the public.
Folta attempted to derail my speaking event at the University of Florida. He has also been interviewed by major media outlets such as The Atlantic, NPR, and the NY Times acting as an unbiased third party source, telling reporters he has no financial ties to Monsanto or the biotech industry all while acting as the ringleader and chief of my critics.
Monsanto thanks Folta for attending my talk at The University of Florida
One of the emails discovered by USRTK.org showed Lisa Drake, an executive at Monsanto cheering Dr. Folta on after he attended my talk at his University last fall. Dr. Folta wrote a blog post attempting to discredit my talk including a false accusation that I refused to answer questions from the audience. (FYI – Here’s the photographic evidence of the long line of teachers and students that I answered questions from.) I still find it bizarre that if he wanted to ask me a question so bad that he didn’t stay to meet me face to face. Instead he spread dishonest information about my talk all over social media, in forums and on his blog, acting more like an online troll than a distinguished science professor.
Seeing this email sent shivers down my spine and left me with a lot of questions. First and foremost, my talk was not about the dangers of GMO foods, it was about the story of quitting my corporate career to become a food activist sharing examples of major food companies changing their policies. Who wrote that paragraph summarizing my talk that Lisa Drake referenced? Why was a Monsanto executive sending this message to Folta? Did they ask him to attend my talk? Are they paying him to attack activists like myself? At the time I had no idea why this professor was so aggressive towards me but now it’s starting to make sense.
I’ve tried to explain to various reporters in the past that many of our critics are part of the larger entrenched food and chemical lobby that doesn’t agree with having more transparency (labeling GMOs) or doesn’t want to remove the controversial chemical additives from our food. The reporters have always said but what about the “public university scientists” that have no ties?
This investigation finally begins to explain that.
Why I am also submitting a FOIA request
In light of this email and the incredible amount of reputational damage Dr. Folta has waged on me personally and our healthy food movement (see a sampling of his public comments below), I am submitting a formal request to the University of Florida to have all documents and correspondence released to the public from Dr. Kevin Folta regarding my name Vani Hari and Food Babe.
I believe obtaining these correspondences will serve the public in greater transparency on how the food industry uses “independent” third-party scientists and professors to control science and deliver their PR and lobbying messaging.
I’ve often wondered why companies like Monsanto go through such great lengths to stop transparency about GMOs… If their food is safe, why don’t they want to label GMOs? Why would they pay public university scientists to advance their message?
Xo,
Vani
Quotes from Kevin Folta:
Folta calls me a crackpot, accuses me of food terrorism, blackmail, villifying farmers and compares me to a dog.
“Vani is very good at marketing herself and telling people what they want to hear. She is very good at playing into the current popularity of vilifying farmers and large-scale agriculture. But really, she’s her own company, and she’s the spokesperson.” – The Atlantic, 2/11/2015
Kevin M. Folta, the chairman of the horticultural sciences department at the University of Florida, described Ms. Hari’s lecture at the university last October as a “corrupt message of bogus science and abject food terrorism.” (Her fee was $6,000.) Dr. Folta added, “She found that a popular social media site was more powerful than science itself, more powerful than reason, more powerful than actually knowing what you’re talking about.”. – quoted in New York Times, 3/15/2015
“She really conflates the science. If anything, she’s created more confusion about food, more confusion about the role of chemicals and additives.” – NPR, 12/4/2014
“To have someone like Hari go out and make up nonsense that only digs into public opinion against these technologies is really frustrating for us.” – The Atlantic, 2/11/2015
“Vani Hari would be spreading her corrupt message of bogus science and abject food terrorism here at the University of Florida. Oh joy”. – Food Babe Visits My University, 10/21/2014
“Responding to the Food Babe is like telling a funny joke to my dog at a party. Everyone there gets it– except for the dog. She just tilts her head to one side and looks at me like I’m stupid.” – Response to the Food Babe. This is Boring, 3/19/2015
“There’s something that dies inside when you are a faculty member that works hard to teach about food, farming and science, and your own university brings in a crackpot to unravel all of the information you have brought to students.” — Food Babe Visits My University, 10/21/2014
“If this is a charismatic leader of a new food movement it is quite a disaster. She’s uninformed, uneducated, trite and illogical. She’s afraid of science and intellectual engagement. She’s Oz candy at best.”- Food Babe Visits My University, 10/21/2014
“What if Hari were to take a long look in the mirror and decide that while scaring people into boycotts and book buying pays the bills, the legacy associated with it is embarrassing. Time will frown on Hari, and it already is happening. While adored by internet fans, scientists, physicians, the food industry, farmers and science fans see her clearly as the empty information vessel she truly is.” – The Value of Vani, 12/12/2014
“Her discussion was a narcissistic, self-appointed attack on food science and human nutrition. There is a vein in my head that pulses when I hear someone deliberately misrepresent science for personal celebrity, and it was pounding.” – Food Babe Visits My University, 10/21/2014
“I was really proud to see that the student audience was not buying it. Throughout her presentation that was about Hari in the spotlight and “me-me-me”, students got up and left. She left gaping pregnant pauses where previous performances got applause– only to hear nothing. Not even crickets.” – Food Babe Visits My University, 10/21/2014
“While microphones stood ready in the audience to answer questions, there was no public Q&A period where a scientist that knows the research could publicly challenge her false assertions.”- Food Babe Visits My University, 10/21/2014
“I guess I’m just angry because I didn’t get to lock science horns with The Food Babe. I would have liked to have asked a few questions that she could never answer.” – Food Babe Visits My University, 10/21/2014
“I listened to her talk about herself and provide lots of false information to my students, and waited for the opportunity to ask dismantling questions from one of the two microphones in the room”. – A Letter To Support My Claims Against the Food Babe, 11/16/2014
“She did not take questions from the audience. The event ended and the audience left”.- A Letter To Support My Claims Against the Food Babe, 11/16/2014
“She was paid $6000 for over an hour’s time to promote her brand and spread her filth. Now scientists and educators have to fix it.” – A Letter To Support My Claims Against the Food Babe, 11/16/2014
Folta discredits Food Babe campaigns to remove controversial chemicals from the food supply:
Additional Evidence: Folta denies any ties to Monsanto on his blog:
“In another thread she encourages those curious to call the university, because “a certain professor who promotes Monsanto… has spread a lot of nonsense”. Again, she speaks from no evidence, leveling false allegations against a public scientist that only wants her to back her claims with science. How do I ‘support Monsanto’?”- A Letter To Support My Claims Against the Food Babe, 11/16/2014
“She also took the liberty of making a false association between a public scientist and university professor to a company that does not exist, purely to discredit him. Here are two clear falsehoods that Hari stands by. Why anyone would take any advice from her, ever, is beyond me.”- A Letter To Support My Claims Against the Food Babe, 11/16/2014
“I work as an independent, public scientist. Companies have no control of my research, my results or my opinions.”
“You’ll also see from my publications that almost all of my funding comes from public sources, like USDA, NSF and NIH. I’m not a “Monsanto scientist” as you’ve suggested. My only “industry funding” is for strawberries– a strawberry industry of family farmers that grow a nutritious fruit. Yes, I answer questions on GMO Answers. I am not paid, I’m grateful for the forum, and if you gave me a page on Food Babe.com to answer questions the answers would be exactly the same.”
So glad you are willing to stand up for what is right against these corporate bullies! There is a lot of attention these days on bullying in schools… It’s time to shed more light on these adult bullies!! They cannot get away with taking over our food choices! Thank you for continuing to speak out!
This current FOIA request isn’t ‘sticking it to the Man’
It is sticking it to a man.
Regardless of anyone’s stance on this topic, please remember that the people involved are human beings.
Julie, Too bad your automatic copy & paste reply didn’t match up to anything Beth said. keep cashing your checks and continue to feel good about yourself for promoting cancer, obesity and all other health conditions that come along with our horrid manufactured food supply “Made in the USA”. who cares if people involved are “human beings”…. considering we all know that there are a lot of “human beings” out there that do terrible things.
otherwise there would be no such thing as prison… terrorism…. or war.
Good try though.
OGfL, the NY Times article has many accusations with no evidence to back any of their claims! It has been totally trashed and does not hold any credibility.
But I suppose that goes well with Vani, who uses the same principles when look at food ingredients. You know what they say, birds of a feather…
No evidence? Say whaaa? There are hundreds of emails published. Take the time to read them, if you can’t see what’s happening then I wish you even more love and peace.
We, in fact Julie, are “men” too- and that is the reason the FoodBabe does what she does everyday- to help those people that truly care about what they put into their bodies instead of pesticides chemicals and non- food ingredients!! We don’t see the chemical companies doing anything to reduce our cancer risk or improve the health of people- instead they just put more crap into our food and the good old US government allows it!!
Remember that the people that Folta attacks are people too – and take your message to him. His ad hominem attacks, set out above, are beneath contempt. He deserves as much kindness as he has shown – none.
Julie,
My point in calling him a bully is that he’s trying to intimidate the FoodBabe into believing that what she’s campaigning for is not worth her time…and in fact makes some very threatening remarks about her…that’s bullying…intimidation…whatever you want to call it…it’s unnecessary. He’s trying to convince people that he’s not doing anything under the table and that what he’s stating in his attacks on her work are truly what he believes and can be scientifically proven. If what he’s doing is trying to expose us all to his version of the truth, then he should also be exposing his connection to Monsanto or whomever. If the truth is the way to go…then we should get to hear the whole truth, not just the part that works in his favor. I completely understand that he’s just another human being trying to live his life and pay his bills…but I also think I can expect people to tell the truth and I don’t think he’s doing that. He’s saying what he needs to say to keep the money coming in.
Clearly Professor Folta is a liar. That makes all of his factual claims suspect, regardless of his humanity or his other offenses (libel, intimidation).
Clearly Vani Hari honestly believes what she teaches. She might make mistakes, like any human, but not deliberately.
That makes all the difference in whom I believe.
While you’re at it, FOIA his boss, Jack Payne.
OK WITH ME!!!
Maybe we should FOIA the Food Babe to see how much she gets paid by Big Organic?
“Big organic” doesn’t exist… The US needs a food revolution where “organic food” doesn’t need to be labeled but the frankenstein food Monsanto, Dow, Syngenta, etc does produce. European nations are fighting against GMOs and winning with their governments. In the US, the lobbying efforts that big corporations have working against organics and food safety can never be matched by those of us who want (& deserve) transparency. Vani is doing God’s work here! I just wish there weren’t so many ignorant people in the world. Keep up the great work, Food Babe!
> The US needs a food revolution where “organic food” doesn’t need to be labeled
um? organic food “needs” to be labelled according to you? Last I checked, “Organic” food is a luxury novelty item that wealthy people pay more for, which most people mistakenly think means that no pesticides were used, when in reality it just means no *synthetic* ones were used (but plenty of “organic” ones, which can be and sometimes are far more toxic), etc etc.
In other words: “organic” is a VOLUNTARY label for a LUXURY item that makes essentially NO difference.
> European nations are fighting against GMOs and winning with their governments
well, yes and no… fearmongering in Europe is producing some wins for the anti-science movement, but even if EVERY other country banned GMOs that would be no gauge of the science but only of fear and political pressure. Or are you going to start saying we should ban homosexuality since a hundred other countries ban that, too?
> I just wish there weren’t so many ignorant people in the world.
*sigh….*
Kick it into high gear, Vani! This is the way to do it. Blow it wide open. I look forward to seeing you on the cover of TIME magazine! Woman of the Year!
Surely Mrs Hari would win a “Charlatan of the Year” cover. Without trying!
I think I’ll submit a FOIA request to blow the lid off Ms. Hari’s payments from the organic industry.
My oh my, the shrills are out and they appear to be some very, very nervous little ninnies!!! LOL!!!
Was thinking the same thing, Cindy!
I think some are being confused about being paid and why. I don’t see anything wrong with being paid by ANY company or whoever to state the facts about something – and let people make their choice based on the facts not lies. But being paid to lie or to falsify results to promote something to be what it isn’t, is a totally different story. It is not about taking sides (which I think some are coming from this perspective), it’s about promoting something for what it truly is. I don’t see how it could possibly be compared – being paid to promote the truth about something good for people, as opposed to being paid to promote lies about something not good for people? a bit of difference here i think…
Yahoo! Go-Vani-Go – we have your back and will expose the industry trolls so you can focus on the bigger picture. I had no idea about America’s food supply when I had cancer at age 38 (and I thought I was eating healthy). Your work is immeasurable in getting the truth out there about America and our diseases of affluence.
p.s. Okay Vani supporters lets show her our support and expose the industry trolls in her comments so she can focus on the bigger picture.
Thank you Vani from the bottom of my heart and best health always,
Supermom-in-training
Dear Terry Hill,
I am saddened by your email. You are writing to a woman that experienced the heartache: physical, emotional and spiritual train wreck of breast cancer (let alone mutilation) at the age of 38 with three small children and you have the fortitude to tell me that “Ignorance should not be celebrated. Censoring of science based on ignorance and blatant lies (as has been shown regarding the misrepresentation and quote-mining surrounding Dr Folta’s emails) is disgusting.”
See Ms. Hill, before cancer I thought I was eating healthy and then I discovered the truth about America’s food supply.
You inspire me – really you do – to get this GMO – fake, highly processed, pesticide round up sprayed garbage off our plates, out of our schools and possibly not only labeled but now banned. Yes! I hope Vani gets rich off this – wait – let’s see how much the average board member of Monsanto or research scientist in this post makes – oh I don’t know – against the average American family like mine that can’t even “choose” food that’s labeled GMO.
As my grandfather said, follow who signs the check – that’ll tell you a lot about a person. Why are you posting? You wouldn’t be paid by any company or organization that supports – oh, I don’t know, biotechnology, GMO, Food/Beverage (insert your favorite company profiting from cancer here)?
(Finding it difficult to write) Best health always,
Supermom-in-training
Remember you can not reason with those who do not have a heart nor a soul. If you feed the trolls it will just cause them to hang around longer. They spew their hate and accuse others of lies, yet, they never offer any citations nor documentation supporting their stance on why GMO Round Up Ready plants are referred to as Frankenfoods. They just continue to spew the lies of those from the so-called scientists who are on the payroll of chemical producing companies. I suggest you shake the Round Up off of your shoes, brush the troll dust off of your clothes and climb back up on the higher road as you have more class in your baby finger nail than they will have in their entire existence. I am not saying they don’t have class, but, unfortunately it is all low!!
Blow what exactly wide open? I think it will be a fantastic demonstration of Ms. Hari finally taking things too far. I look at this as an opportunity for Dr. Folta to continue being his classy educated self all the while Vani circles the drain. Nothing will happen.
Yes, Dr. Folta can continue being his classy educated self, lying for bucks like the shill he has been proven to be but I doubt anyone will pay for his lies from this point forward, hahahaha. Apparently $25K is all it takes these days to sell your soul to biotech at the expense of the health of fellow humans.
Thanks you Vani again for just simply telling the truth, that is and will always be your greatest weapon against these paid off lying puppets out there. Common sense says that chemicals are not suppose to be eaten and ever since big food started using them, look at what has happened to our health as a nation. Keep up the great work!
You are going to be more specific. Everything is made from chemicals. Vani is the one you should not trust. She lacks the scientific literacy one would need to make such bold statements about foid safety. You know who benefits from fear mongering and filling your head with this nonsense? She does. Not you, not me.
To Lolaswolf.
Foodbabe is not fear mongering, life is about getting educated and making personal choices with the education you have in everything you do, Vani educates in a common sense way, no science was ever needed for that, you can take it or leave it. When the day is done you are the only one who controls what you put in your mouth, so you can continue to eat processed foods and make your personal food choices that your education agrees with. There is no need to be negative or bash on people like Vani for giving a different view point, that is what makes the US a great country, we can all make personal choices based on the education we have. Just always remember every choice has a consequence. (ex. Cancer, Diabetes, high blood pressure, obesity ect…)
How about a public debate with Professor Folta?
Yes, this!
I would pay money for this.
Absolutely no chance of that happening. That would reveal just how little Vani knows about bio-technology.
Why r u bullying, Mr. ?
The last thing we’re ever going to see in this world is a debate between a scientist and a fraud.
I would donate $ to a science program to watch that!
You really have a hard time when people disagree with you, don’t you? Instead of engaging in conversation, you go terrorist on them, either ban the questioners from your social media sites or vilify them on your blog.
Why can’t you handle a little criticism, Vani? Why can’t you enter into discussion instead of shutting it down and banning the person who dared ask you a question?
Do you know how people learn? By asking questions. All anyone learns from you is if you ask a question – any question – you will ban that person outright with no response. And it doesn’t even matter what the question was in the first place.
You’re a despicable person who uses social media to spread fear. You try to get companies to change ingredients in their products, while selling your “affiliate” partner products that CONTAIN THE SAME INGREDIENT YOU ARE TRYING TO GET COMPANIES TO BAN!
You claim victory for things that had absolutely nothing to do with you (Subway has been working for the past 2 years to start sourcing meat that does not have sub-therapeutic antibiotics, but you’re convinced it’s YOUR campaign, started in what, August? that made the change).
I’m mainly curious to see how long it’ll be before our comments are cleared out, like so many people who dared speak up against her on her FB page.
I’m surprised they’re still here!
AGAIN?!
no cyber-bullying, mr
Being banned from commenting because you refuse to drink fewd boob’s koolaid is cyber-bullying. I am amazed I can post on this site, I wager the negative comments will be sanitized by tomorrow morning.
This is the perfect example of someone we remove from our site. Thanks for setting the stage – wish you peace and love. Good bye!
Kevin is entirely correct: the things you say are completely anti-science and promote fear-mongering. Plus, you profit directly from selling Organic products. Who is the corporate shill: a scientist working for a public university or someone with no scientific knowledge running a blog to sell “natural” foods?
> Kevin is entirely correct: the things you say are completely anti-science and promote fear-mongering.
Not only that, but the things she lists as “Ad Hominems” aren’t actually ad hominems – they’re factual criticisms… and only a few of them are even all that harsh. Maybe she needs to look up the “Fallacy Fallacy”?
She better have a lawyer. Lord knows Monsanto has many. Be very careful where you tread Vani.
While I disagree that this is damning proof (there’s a big difference between a company providing money for an educator to do outreach versus a company paying someone directly to perform research), I also have to point out that you gloss over the fact that the article points out that organic companies are doing this as well. Is it ok for the big organic firms to do this, but not ok for conventional ag companies to do the same? Either we need to go after big organic as well, or we agree that this is really not that big of a deal. The fact that this post does not make a single mention about how major organic companies are also funding outreach shows where your biases lie.
Thank you. Very logical! I’m sure it will be deleted by tomorrow morning sadly. I wish more of her fans would really look at this from the Organic side aso well. They are not innocent. They sit very nicely atop a big pile of natural fallacy.
Of all the scientists in the world who call the Food Babe unsubstantiated and fear mongering you just happen to choose the one that USRTK already FOIAd. What are you going to ask for that is not already out in the open?
Anyone who knows basic level food science knows that the Food Babe sells fear more than facts. By joining the attack on dr. Folta all you will manage is inspiring more people attacking the misinformation you spread. Instead of going on vacay, spend some time on actual farms with actual farmers.
Keep going Foodbabe!
Yes! Keep going… and don’t come back!
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=4zIUWoHvD-w
Losing the battle lately? Trying something that didn’t work once will only lose you more of your minions. It’s coming out that you are nothing more than an overpaid mouthpiece for the Organic industry.
Take a couple of years off, get an education. I mean the real kind, with colleges, classes and a recognized degree in a subject revalent to the matter at hand.
Then, if you still want to babble, it won’t sound like a petulant five year old.
If you can’t argue effectively against their points, just abuse FOIA and comb through their info until you find something that can be spun to make them look bad to your followers! Great plan, Food Babe.
You are attacking any human being who doesn’t 100% agree with you. And you have taken people who used to be good people right down the tubes with you. You are a charlatan and a fear monger. This is horrible.
How can you look in a mirror each day? Really, I want to know. How can you live with yourself knowing that the only reason why you can go on months long vacations to exotic locations is because you are the shill? You are the one being paid by Big Organic to spread a message of fear and hate. How does one human being hold that much insincerity in their life and hate in their heart that they have to take money from individuals scared to death to live life because of the lies YOU spread? How do you get by on this? I don’t get it.
You are spreading lies and you are spreading terroristic threats against a scientist to further your own horrible agenda. This is sick and barbaric. I can not wait to see the second Dark Age coming about because of people like you.
^^^^coo coo!
Lmao!!!
Your beloved $cientist has been caught lying, are you intentionally ignoring the above, irrefutable proof? I guess when you are paid to post comments for biotech you’ll say whatever you’er paid to! How do YOU live with yourself?
How do YOU live without a brain???? LMAO 🙂
LOL! That’s the best you got? Wow, Monsanto really needs to up their online $hill pay then, they are really trudging the trenches these days 🙂
That post was made in error, please ignore. I thought the shill wanted to e-fight, lol!
Wow Megan. Really. First of all I have to ask. Are you a troll? How much are you getting paid to attack someone who is only putting out information that I know is mostly bang on target. Switching to organic food has saved two of my family members from years of suffering so from my own experience and research I know you are either a troll or you are completely ignorant of how the real world works. If I have to explain you will never understand. Also as far as I can tell Vani does not attack people she only defends her herself from unfair attacks as would I or any red blooded unbrainwashed person would do. She is fighting for you also. Vani, keep up the good work. Megan, get informed.
Richard
And all this proves you right? As long as your claims are not science based your position is the same. Vicious ignorant fearmonger with a profit.
You’re a self-aggrandizing know-nothing with savvy social media skills. I’m enjoying watching your fraudulent house of lies burn to the ground, fueled by actual science. In the meantime, how about you slather your website with some more pictures of yourself you self-absorbed ego-maniac?
Saw a documentary where a pig farmer was interviewed. He calmly and credibly stated that after feeding his pigs GMO corn and soy for only 3 mos. they started giving birth to empty sacks of water. When he took them off the GMO feed they returned to giving healthy births. I’d say that’s “real science”.
No, it’s not. It’s an anecdotal story from a pig farmer. That you don’t know the difference is an indication of why you would listen to even a word this fraud would say.
There is credibility in anecdotal science as well. Doctors and scientists depend on it regularly when there is not enough hard science on a topic (And hard science can be biased too because of the human factor). Besides, the stories of animals doing poorly on GMO feed are many. This is not one farmer that has had the experience – it is many.
Why do you even care whether or not GMO’s are labeled? We live in America. Most industrialized countries require labeling. If people don’t care, then more power to them – but in this country we should have a right to know what’s in our food and how it has been grown. There is so much ignorance and lack of interest in the topic among the general public, I doubt that the big companies growing and selling foods with GMO’s and extra pesticides would see much of a dip in their profits. Actually, this fight brings a LOT more publicity to the topic and probably has moved more people than it would have if they had just complied with the requests and started labeling them years ago.
Quote: “Kevin M. Folta, […], described Ms. Hari’s lecture at the university last October as a “corrupt message of bogus science and abject food terrorism.”
Ms. Hari, as a food and biotechnologist with a 20+ year career I can tell you, Prof. Folta is absolutely correct. Someone who thinks that eating habits should be based on spelling ability has obviously no idea whatsoever about science.
Bravo!
Bravo, sir! If it isn’t made with at least 50 ingredients and requires a degree in chemical engineering I’m not eating or drinking it! Better living through chemistry!
Thank you! My thoughts exactly.
Professor Folta was 100% correct on every point.
You have nothing but fear and lies to offer and so many people buy and buy and buy it. Shameful!
The article says that Dr. Folta had his plane tickets paid by Monsanto for his talks, while taking no money for himself. Then it talks about Dr. Benbrook who worked for the organic industry then sought an academic position.
I don’t know you, but to me what Dr. Benbrook did sounds A LOT more shady than what Dr. Folta did. I mean the former is literally an industry plant, while the latter just did his job as he has always done, only that his expenses were defrayed by industry.
So why not FOIA Dr. Benbrook?
Appalling behaviour, Mrs. Hari. Professor Folta is a paragon of honesty and virtue compared to the shenanigans you perpetrate on your misguided followers every day. Shame on you.
I admire everything you do everyday for the future of our food system and the health & wellbeing of society! You are making enormous progress and I’m inspired by your strength and motivation. Unaffected by all the terrible people trying to stop you before you make permanent changes to our food system. DONT GIVE UP! KEEP DOING WHAT YOURE DOING! & KNOW THAT THERE ARE SO MANY MORE OF US THAT SUPPORT YOU … to outnumber every terrible person being payed off to try and shut you down.
YOU’RE AN INSPIRATION & YOU ARE CHANGING THE WORLD QUICKER THAN THESE PEOPLE EVER EXPECTED. KEEP PISSING THEM OFF. ITS WORKING!
& AMERICA IS HEALTHIER BECAUSE OF YOU.
Some of us aren’t pissed off, just amazed that such stupid people exist who would rather listen to the babbling of some computer scientist over an educated food scientist.
An educated food scientist who prostitutes himself basicly.Good call lmfao!!!!
Athena, you shouldn’t slander people when you are so clueless. Who pays Vani?
Keep spreading the truth and doing your research Vani. It’s insane how many chemicals we consume and are exposed to everyday, from the food we eat to the mattresses that we sleep on. People are upset because they have an agenda where they really aren’t concerned with the lives of others or our environment as a whole. It’s all about the money and if they don’t like the message, then they can hit the unfollow or unsubscribe button, or just not read what you have to say at all. It’s easy to bash those that are honestly trying to stand up for truth and decide to go against “public belief”. I believe we deserve to know what’s in our food, our cleaning products, our shampoos, etc. If Monsanto and the other big companies have nothing to hide, why aren’t they out in the open? Anyways, you go girl! I’m cheering you on!
P.S. – Keep providing the public with more natural and organic alternatives!
Everything you consume is a chemical. The air you breathe, the water you drink and the food you eat. So yes, they do add chemicals to food. They are the food.
Some are good, yes. But others are not. Many chemicals have questionable safety profiles. That is a fact.
Speaking of “all about the money” … ever seen Vani promote anything for which she’s not receiving compensation? Didn’t think so.
Ever seen anyone else NOT get paid for promoting anything? Didn’t think so.
Did you ever see ANYONE promoting anything NOT get paid? Didn’t think so.
Of course you are going to get attacked Vani. The more the you uncover the truth, status quo will come out with teeth bared and claws out! I commend you for your work and you are an inspiration. I know that despite their best efforts, they will never be able to derail you. I say “Rock on!” To you!!
Keep up the fight for the truth about how we are being systematically and intentionally POISONED! And remember, Vani, “The flack is heaviest right over the target.”
Hi Vani,
Go for it and while you’re at it, check for any relationships with @TheSciBabe (Yvette d’Entremont) discussing you with any Big Ag ties. There are probably some in his emails.
Vanii-you go girl-we are here for you every step of the way!!!
This all boils down to scientists VS common sense. The Food Babe displays and offers common sense approaches to improving our lives. What has any scientists done for you lately?
Common sense that tells you nearly every scientist is paid off by a small player in the biotech sector?
People that have knowledge and experience you do not possess ,but you chose to get your “facts” from an internet media manipulator.
Common sense says any $cientist touting GMOs as good for you is a paid shill by biotech. Please name one scientist, not a bought and paid for $cientist, that advocates these mutant, biotech-patented abominations as safe… I would wait but then again I’d be dead before you found one 🙂
Shillon!
my message is the same – read it again, science breath!
As he types into his computer over the Internet….ugh.
What a victory!! Great job Vani and US Right to Know and all involved!!
Your article unfairly and untruthfully characterizes Folta’s actions. At the same time, you earn lots of money from sponsors , even though their products contain ingredients you criticize. You are a bully and a hypocrite.
I know you will remove this post because that’s who you are as a person. You’re not about truth or reasonable debate.
I’m making a screen shot of this post.
There’s nothing wrong with earning a living, we all need to do that. But there’s a lot wrong with telling the media, public and others over and over again you have no ties to industry, but do! I encourage you to read the 170 or so emails the NY Times published to see just how close Folta was working with Monsanto’s PR firm and Monsanto.
First they ignore you. Then, they laugh at you. Then, they fight you. Then, you win.
Yep. We are already winning 🙂 Just look at all the companies changing!!!
I read all the emails in the NYT article and can only find some minor wrong doings of Kevin Folta. The 25K did not go into his private pocket (the article shows a detailed discription of what the money was used for), his research is not sponsored by Big Ag (the 25K was for an outreach program), he never made secret of answering question on an industry sponsored website and besides travel expenses he did not receive any compensations for his talks.
But I was actually shocked about the wrong-doings of this guy named Chuch Benbrook. He wrote a paper together with people from Organic Valley, misrepresented results, started a huge PR campaign with the help of Big Organic and famous activists and told as in the name of Big Organic to go for organic milk because it was supposed to be healthier. His data did not support that conclusion. I hope you are going to write about that sucker soon.
I love the idea of organic farming, but don’t have the money to go all organic. I have to rely on “independent” scientist to tell me when it is worth to pay the extra buck. That Benbrook guy lied to me and it should be discussed more clearly. In the long run, honest organic farmers are going to suffer under those shady practices.
Keep up your work, Food Babe, you did so much good.
What I don’t get is why are the Food Babe bashers even on her site in the first place. If they don’t support her, why are they wasting there time here! Go send your negative comments to people that are not interested in making the world a better place.
I’d say it’s obvious where the shills are coming from. We’re talking huge bucks here at stake when the light of day is shown on the cockroach Monsatan.
You still haven’t answered my question. Why do you ban people without engaging?
I’m not sure what your question is but my answer is that I don’t care about who makes $$$ doing what they believe in, that is if they are doing the right thing. Forget about whether Vani is right or wrong. The bottom line is people have the right to know what is in their food. Why should this be an issue. Why don’t you care? I bet you don’t believe in globule warming either.
Vani, it’s seriously scary that 90% of the responses above are written by one person who is trying to tear you into pieces. (Hello! How many people would write the word “charlatan?” Also, do you know that every comment you wrote and assigned a different bizarre name to sounds exactly the same?!) THAT is fear mongering!! THAT is terrorism! Not what you do Vani, but what people like Dr. Folta and anyone associated with Monsanto…you all literally scare the crap out of me!
Please keep doing what you’re doing and be safe all the while, Vani!
I find it very entertaining that all of the evil minions on this page continue to spread hateful lies about anything Vani has been involved in yet never once has anyone provided citations or documentation to back up their claims. I guess they believe if they say it’s true then that should be enough, lol!!. The hate spewers sound like a bunch of high school kids in study hall trying to bully the scared little new kid in town. Unfortunately for them Vani isn’t the scared little new kid in town and she knows how to take care of herself. It is obvious that she can because as many people who have tried to discredit her before are back and trying again. As I said if you stop feeding the shrills they will eventually go away and find someplace else to try to feed.
I just responded to your post Cindy but It may get banned. We’ll see. 🙂
I see all the monsanto bought and paid for trolls are out in full force with all there bought and paid for lies….great job food babe.
Paid Pro GMO list in the comment section:
Windsun33
Julie Mellor
Flock together
Laura
Lolaswolf
Sean Whitten
Richard Bennett
Anke
Jim kear
Rebecca
Gayla
Dale
Dean
Fausto Chavez
Jean Piché
MrsH
List goes on, can’t wait until Anonymous takes down the GMO industry next. Keep wasting your time, general public and those 3 steps ahead will always be. Goodbye Monsanto and the Dirty Corporate Food Empire 😉
Time is ticking for you.
The fact that you think hackers could ‘take down the GMO industry shows how clueless you are.
It’s funny that scientists claim to know better than anyone else. Did you know scientists used to claim smoking was healthy and that doctors actually recommended people to smoke. Did you know there was a butter vs margine debate. It turns out the scientists and doctors were wrong again. Margine as you know contained transfat. It was the alternative doctors and other food gurus were right.
There was this average person who was able to solve a math problem that mathematicians couldn’t solve. To claim a person has to be a scientists to be correct is utterly false. Numerous fraud studies on pub med were pulled. Are you saying still that these scientists are correct?
So is your message “find out for yourself” or “trust me – don’t listen to scientists.”
You couldn’t figure out the good science from bad on tobacco, so why do you think others will on GMO’s? It’s why guys like Folta do science outreach. They’re trying to help people learn how to understand these topics.
Folta got caught lying, did you not read the article with cited proof? Lying is not science outreach, lying is lying.
So what were these lies, specifically?
Well, there is this huge document dump from an FOIA request on the topic. You should read it and find out 🙂
OK, one lie that goes on repeating that GMOs have higher crop yields when they don’t.
http://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2013/feb/16/india-rice-farmers-revolution
That doesn’t take long to do a search.
Thanks for all you do Food Babe! Thanks for fighting for the little people!
Vani,
I think the obvious solution to back up all the great work you do is to have a reputable scientist attend these speaking engagements with you. The benefits I am not going to list, are obvious. Not only would this be beneficial to you, but also to your followers and those on the fence. People do want science when making life changing decisions. Get an expert (or team of experts) to back you up. It makes you more credible to the doubters.
Not just scientists, we need everyone involved in the conversation. My message is to empower the average everyday person to pay attention to their health and food. Yesterday, I spoke on stage with an incredible man that represents 2000 farmers about confusing food labels – it was incredible. Also, just an FYI – I have a formal advisory council, check them out here: https://foodbabe.com/advisorycouncil/
Is there a single agricultural or genetic scientist that endorses anything you’ve said? Your advisory council consists of a small group of fellow self-aggrandizers that have no relevant expertise. None of them have authored an accepted scientific paper on the subject. Do you have ANY scientific support for your message?
Vani,
You go girl! I know what a challenge this has been for you and we really appreciate your efforts!
I have a framed quote on my wall that should be on yours as well:
“Everything that I did in my life that was worthwhile,
I caught hell for.”
–Chief Justice Earl Warren.
Sally – thanks for the quote. LOVE IT.
Incredible info as always and that is why I keep pushing this website.
The link to Universities is no surprise and very prominent in the Sports Supplement industry as well . University studies ( lol ) that are sponsored by the very company trying to prove their agenda are really humorous.
Its just like the plastic industry hiring the same PR firm that the cigarette industry used to prove that BPA free bottles are ok lol .
Well we did not know that BPA was bad until it caused cancer so when do find out about the remaining chemicals in the water absorbed thru plastic , ,,,,when they cause cancer ?
If you want to see the link easily between University studies and the agenda( if there is a hidden agenda) just follow the money trail . I am not conspiracy nut I am consultant in the consumer products industry. I remove the emotion from my research and simply follow the facts.
Thanks again for the great website and all your efforts!
Goodness one must grow think skin reading some of the nonsense some people are writing above. I’ve learned a great deal from you Vani and I support you and your movement. I honestly don’t understand why people can be so vicious. I can’t imagine they would say some of this to your face if given the opportunity. I’m a teacher and have shared much of what I have learned with my students. We don’t accept anything blindly, but use it as a platform for discussion and investigation. Thank you!!!
Thank you for your insight Elizabeth! We need more teachers like you.
Vani, please be careful. You are going up against a very nasty, ruthless organization that totally lacks conscience and morality. I applaud everything you are doing. But just be careful. They completely lack integrity or any interest in the common good. And sad to see that there are mindless idiots here on your blog parrotting Monsanto and actually defending this monstrous company. Good luck.
Yes, they are ruthless but I am willing to take one for the team – my passion runs too deep to stop. “No mud, no lotus.”
i love your passion. They wouldn’t be so nasty if you weren’t seriously doing some damage to them. Good for you.
That reminds me that some nauseating paid shill from Stanford University was used in the campaign against California’s Prop 37. No doubt Stanford University has some ties to these chemical companies as well.
Yes exactly!
Just stay with the studies that come out …..put yourself as a news /auther ….your doing enough ……things have a way of comming out …the truth . You be careful
Vani, this is beyond disheartening and makes me angry. I worry about you. These people refuse to lose and frankly it’s scary. I appreciate all you do yo bring the light please be safe. It seems that they stop at nothing to protect their profits. My family and I are with you in this but I don’t trust these trolls!!! Thank you for your courageous work
All good things,
Tracy Alexander
Seriously people? If you want to eat the processed, chemical filled foods then knock yourself out and munch away. I choose not to go down that path, but if you do then great, best of luck.
For the ones that are attacking this idea of clean food, does it really matter to you if others choose differently than you?
If you think this is all bs then just move along. There are so many other things on the internet you can go after besides someone that’s trying to get chemicals out of food. Would it really be that bad to get the junk out of food? Even if the chemicals are harmless, what’s wrong with not adding them? We know food is not harmful without the chemicals, and some of you believe the chemicals aren’t harmful either.
I seriously think all the negative Nancy’s need to go troll websites that we all know are harmful, ei tobacco companies, alcohol companies, how about that guy that thinks all of our govt officials are lizard people go bother them.
Thank you for being on the front lines and taking this type of degradation to your brand. They can’t handle the fact that you are making such great changes and helping people to eat clean and live healthy lives, and that everything you say is true. Vani, you are a true warrior for this movement.
Big Ag, Monsanto and all of them are liars and lies can only live in the dark for so long. #healthyrevolution #foodbabe
Vani – this write-up brought tears to my eyes. I’m glad the NYT is doing their part, too. KEEP FIGHTING!
You go girl! You’re awesome. Keep up the GREAT work! I despise Monsanto along with the other food organizations in the country. They are indeed hiding and misleading the public. I back you up 100%. Please keep fighting for all of us.
Keep up the fabulous work, Vani!
It’s crzy how Kevin was slamming you and your work, while outright lying about his connections with Monsanto.
Your friends are cheering you on!
Love this site: Vani, you know you are doing great when there is a line up to insult you. As someone said above, why are the naysayers here if all they do is use vitriolic speech to try and discredit someone.
The greatest thing you are doing is creating awareness in more and more people. Only consumers can change the vested interests, if enough of us vote with our dollars we will see the changes coming fast and furious.
Anyone who defends our food system today is suspect, any reasonably intelligent person should know that it is badly broken.
Keep up the good work everyone and keep the high ground, the trolls will go away if we just remain polite and refuse to play their games.
I particularly love the quote about food by Michael Pollan: In seven words all you need to know about food: EAT FOOD NOT TOO MUCH MOSTLY PLANTS
Thank you for standing up for us! Keep at it. Blessing you with strength and courage!!!
Food Babe, we are so proud of you and thankful for the positive changes you’re making in our food industry. We have three young children and I hope and pray they can grow up in a healthier more transparent world. You are helping make that happen. Stay strong and courageous and don’t let the negativity derail you!
Success is not final, failure is not fatal: it is the courage to continue that counts.
Winston S. Churchill
The Queen on a chessboard reals more power when she threatens, than when she actually captures. I suggest you get the best lawyers in the country and sue people like the Professor at F. University, Dr. Kevin Folta, for defamation of character and all the other lies. Especially since you can prove that it is fabricated. Etc, Etc… I am sure the Army would support you. And whether you win or not, is not important. It is the threat to others who do the same thing, that matters. They certainly will be more cautious in the future, if they see you will take concrete steps to stop it. Good luck. Keep up the excellent work.
On the other hand, she could save a lot of expense and just keep publishing the facts. Maybe they’re trying to goad her into law suits, to keep her so tied up in red tape, she doesn’t have time to discredit them.
suggest you read the 48 laws of Power. You will understand why Terry made the suggestion.
Damn right!