The answer to that question is easy – A LOT.
A family member does this little game with me and it happens over and over. After trying a bite of something that looks homemade, I say, “Mmm where did you get this from?” and she says, “Don’t worry, it’s from Trader Joe’s, so it’s organic.” The fact that people assume all products from Trader Joe’s are organic or healthy or better than what you would find elsewhere is an alarming misconception.
For the last several months, I’ve been getting a lot of questions about Trader Joe’s. Many people are questioning the grocery store chain’s policies on genetically engineered ingredients (GMOs) and asking if I personally trust their statements about the use of GMOs in their store brand products – my short answer is no, I don’t.
Now, don’t get me wrong, I LOVE shopping at Trader Joe’s. It’s fun, the employees are super nice and helpful and it’s a pleasant experience. However, they won’t share any information with us and are completely cloaked in secrecy regarding their business practices, which makes my head want to explode.
Trader Joe’s Official GMO Statement:
Our approach to Genetically Modified Organisms is simple: we do not allow GMO ingredients in our private label products (anything with Trader Joe’s, Trader Jose’s, Trader Ming’s, etc. on the label).
Given what Trader Joe’s tells us about their GMO policy, we should trust them, right? Or are we trusting them just like many consumers trusted Naked Juice, Tostitos, Kashi, Gold Fish, Barbara’s Bakery, etc. who are or have been faced with lawsuits finding suspected GMOs in their so-called “natural” products?
During my research, I found out there is no regular independent third party certifier verifying their products are non-GMO on a regular basis at Trader Joe’s. It is completely up to Trader Joe’s product supply team to regulate GMOs from suppliers – not the Non-GMO Project or the USDA (for organics) that requires a high level of standards and third party testing before stating a product can be deemed free of GMOs. If there are complaints about a product, Trader Joe’s will conduct verification with a secret third party that they won’t disclose, but it’s completely up to the consumer to alert Trader Joe’s with a complaint.
In fact, Trader Joe’s stated that their products “don’t allow for auditing using the Non-GMO Project because there is an additional cost associated with that.” A representative from Trader Joe’s went on to say, “We tend to not label our products a whole lot, and won’t until there is a government regulation to understand what non-GMO even means, we aren’t going to label products that don’t have specific FDA guidelines.” So this begs the question – what does non-GMO mean to Trader Joe’s? Are they making up their own definition because they claim they don’t have direction from a governmental official?
I reached out to the Executive Director of the Non-GMO Project, Megan Westgate, to find why Trader Joe’s refuses to become Non-GMO certified. This is what she said:
“The Non-GMO Project has reached out to Trader Joe’s a number of times over the years, and we remain hopeful that at some point we will be able to forge a meaningful partnership with them. To date, it has been very difficult to ascertain the credibility of their non-GMO claims. We know that many consumers believe Trader Joe’s to be a GMO-free store, but without transparent standards or third-party verification this is impossible to confirm. Many other retailers–independent grocers, co-ops, and Whole Foods Market–are leading the way by requiring rigorous testing and labeling, and it would be great to see Trader Joe’s follow suit.”
Trader Joe’s says they review affidavits (the documents that prove an ingredient is not made or contaminated with GMOs) from their suppliers who make their store branded products, but there is no way to verify this. I asked Trader Joe’s if they would send me an affidavit showing proof of non-GMO corn or soy in at least one of their products that wasn’t labeled certified organic and they refused saying, “Unfortunately we don’t share those documents, they are confidential.” They wouldn’t even tell me what country some of the products were produced in either as they do not provide “country of origin” labeling.
I find the denial of my request maddening, considering I requested a similar affidavit from Honest Tea, who is owned by Coca Cola, and they completely complied and sent me the information with the confidential suppliers name blacked out. Heineken Beer also provided their affidavits when I asked them to prove to me they use no genetically modified ingredients in their beer.
Furthermore, when I reached out to the Director of the Cornucopia Institute (the top organic industry watchdog group), Mark Kastel, he stated:
“It is very hard to figure out sourcing with Trader Joe’s. They heavily depend on private label products which are based on secrecy. We have said that private-label organics is an “oxymoron.” Organic consumers want to know “the story behind their food.” They want to know where it was produced, how it was produced, how the animals and workers involved have been treated, etc. None of that is possible with Trader Joe’s. Unlike the majority of all responsible brand marketers in organics they have refused to participate in our research studies and are thus rated very poorly on our scorecards that critique dairy foods, eggs and soy foods (etc.)”
We have the right to know where our food comes from and what’s in it and Trader Joe’s is refusing to give us this information.
They don’t want us to know which suppliers they are using because it would upset consumers and their suppliers if we knew the truth. For example, Stoneyfield supplies yogurt for Trader Joe’s and Stacey’s (owned by Pepsi) supplies their pita chips. Because Trader Joe’s maintains a limited supply of products, they can buy many of the same items in bulk from different suppliers keeping costs low, which is fabulous, but this comes at a cost of not actually knowing who is manufacturing our food. They keep it secret because the companies they work with, like Stacey’s, don’t want you to know that you can buy their pita chips two dollars less at Trader Joe’s under a private label. This is how Trader Joe’s has become so successful, growing at a faster pace than Whole Foods.
There is another disappointing side effect of not knowing where your food comes from because if you are like me and boycott certain companies because of their business practices, it is extremely hard to vote with your dollars and know which products to buy and support. For this reason, if you want to REALLY vote with your dollars, you seriously need to consider what you are buying at Trader Joe’s.
I have a hard time trusting a company that is not willing to show their affadavits to a customer or prove that their products are in fact GMO free. Trader’s Joe’s won’t spend any of their 8 billion dollars in sales to test and prove their products safe. And they won’t tell us what companies they work with to develop their products or what countries their ingredients come from. Have you noticed that every single Trader Joe’s branded product has “DIST & SOLD EXCLUSIVELY BY: TRADER JOE’S MONROVIA, CA 91016” written on the back? I hope we are smart enough to know the entire line of Trader Joe’s products aren’t all really from California.
Since Trader Joe’s does provide a price point that is unrivaled, I can see the financial benefit to shopping there, but not much else. Their fruits and vegetables are usually flown in from half way across the world, packaged in lots of plastic, providing little to no local produce (at least in my store here in Charlotte, NC). This means you could be eating nutritionally degraded produce. I have been a victim to this more than once when I bought produce that I didn’t know was less than stellar and it went bad super fast in my fridge compared to the local produce I get from my farmer or buy from other grocery stores.
Considering Trader Joe’s total lack of transparency, there’s only a limited list of products I would personally trust from Trader Joe’s, here’s what I would buy and not buy:
WHAT TO BUY AT TRADER JOE’S
- Certified organic fruits, vegetables, nuts and seeds
- Certified organic branded Trader Joe’s products (USDA certified), for example their organic popcorn made with olive oil is a good choice
- Certified organic milk products
- Certified organic coffee and teas (like Yogi tea)
- Certified organic frozen goods like frozen berries
- Some conventional items on occasion (like kimchi) that do not have high-risk GMO crop ingredients like corn, soy, cottonseed, papaya, sugar, canola, zucchini/squash (here’s a full list of potential GMO ingredients)
- Paper products – they use environmentally friendly practices and recycled paper
WHAT NOT TO BUY AT TRADER JOE’S
- Charles Shaw Wine, otherwise known as “2 buck chuck” – It’s so poor in quality, some experts call this stuff “grape-flavored soda” and compare it to what “Ronald McDonald is to the cheeseburger.” This wine is not made in a winery rather, “this wine is made in a factory, with a lot of synthetic and concentrated products, like grape musk, added to manipulate the flavors from bad grapes.” (Stick to organic wine with no detected or added sulfites)
- Non-Trader Joe’s brands that likely contain GMO ingredients like Simply Lite, Reddi Egg, Dare, Orangina, The Laughing Cow, Morningstar, Toffutti, Think Thin Bars, Toblerone, Kashi, Barbara’s Bakery, Annie Chun’s and Power Crunch
- Trader Joe’s branded products or other processed products that contain high-risk GMO crop ingredients like corn, soy, cottonseed, papaya, sugar, canola, zucchini/squash (A majority of their products contain one or more of these ingredients, until they can be fully transparent, I would not trust them.)
- Pre-packaged meals like sandwiches, salads, and sushi – many of these items contain ingredients you definitely don’t want to be eating, like cellulose (wood pulp), or imitation crab meat. Additionally, there’s way too much sodium added to these meals and they can give you a serious case of water-weight bloat and bubble gut.
- Trader Joe’s branded dairy, yogurt, or eggs, because they are likely produced from animals fed GMO corn and soy and can contain antibiotics
- Non Trader Joe’s branded dairy, yogurt, or eggs because they could contain (cancer causing) rBST growth hormone, GMOs and antibiotics
- Non-organic meat or dairy, Trader Joe’s still allows antibiotics and other harmful chemicals – like autolyzed yeast extract (a hidden form of MSG) in their meat.
The most important thing to remember when shopping at Trader Joe’s or anywhere else for that matter, is to read the ingredient lists. Trader Joe’s still allows harmful petroleum- based artificial coloring, artificial flavors, carrageenan, and other questionable ingredients to creep into their stores via other brands and this is something to definitely watch out for.
If you know someone who shops at Trader Joe’s, please share this post with them. Making smart decisions together is the only way we are going to change the secretive practices of the food industry.
Keep Your Chin Up!
Food Babe
P.S. Don’t forget to sign up for my newsletter to get more info about what’s really in our food, personal updates from me and chances to win cool organic stuff.
I recently had a lengthy discussion with one of the store supervisors here in our local TJ store in Minneapolis. I had purchased a carton of TJ Almond Milk, and noticed that one of the ingredients in the milk was carrageenan. Having done some research on carrageenan, and learning that it can cause inflammation in our bodies, and other problems, I asked her why TJs are adding this to their milk. Carrageenan is a food additive that is extracted from a red seaweed, Chondrus crispus, which is popularly known as Irish moss. Carrageenan, has no nutritional value. It is used as a thickener and emulsifier to improve the texture of ice cream, yogurt, cottage cheese, milk and other processed foods. Her answer was as follows: “It’s a natural product, therefore we feel it is safe to use. Some people may be allergic to carrageenan the way that others may be allergic to peanuts. Customers should be reading labels before buying their products, and if they are allergic to carrageenan, then they probably should not be purchasing that product.” I argued that her rationale was inappropriate, and that a food additive is not the same as buying a product such as peanuts. Saying that an additive is “safe” because it is natural, is like saying that Toxicodendron radicans (poison ivy) is safe because it is also natural – but it wouldn’t be added to body lotion!
lol@ poison ivy in body lotion! Imagining one worse, ‘artificial poison ivy scent’ in products. Because synthetic poison ivy is better for you anyway.
Carrageenan is an ingredient of most, if not all, almond milks in the market, including the Whole Foods 365 organic kind.
Silk Almond Milk no longer has carrageenan
Yeah, but Silk almond milk tastes disgusting! lol
Lol I love the taste of it! I just tried hemp milk for the first time today. now that is hard for me to get used to haha
Thanks for letting me know! Unfortunately it’s not organic, but I guess it’s too much to ask… organic AND carrageenan free 🙁
Silk Unsweetened Vanilla has no carrageenan. Also, watch out for TJ’s brand toothpaste, which also has carrageenan. I bought it and read the label when I got home. I was fooled by the no fluoride and yatta, yatta, yatta free ingredients. I emailed TJ’s and they replied with a statement that carrageenan is natural and doesn’t show a health detriment. I’m disappointed with this statement!
I just looked at my Almond Milk from TJ’s and it doesn’t have carrageenan in it. It’s the original and not the vanilla flavor. Does it go by some other “sneaky” name?
Many props to Food Babe for writing this piece on Trader Joes. Once again, you’re battling the big guys/gals and challenging them. KUDOS!!!
@ Milla – While I understand your concerns with Trader Joes (it’s a concern of mine too) I’m not sure what the concern is for Carrageenan. The type of carrageenan that is considered harmful is the degraded carrageenan. Studies on lab rats (in high doses showed intestinal damage), however it’s not the same as the food grade. The degraded carrageenan is called poligeenan and doesn’t have the same properties as undegraded carrageenan.
I have to admit, I agree with that representative that consumers need to read labels to verify that there isn’t something added that they may be allergic to. I’ve got my issues with Trader Joe’s but their use of undegraded carrageenan isn’t one that I’m alarmed about right now.
I also alerted my TJ’s store manager about this same issue 2 years ago and provided him with a print out of the perils of carrageenan. He basically told me the same thing and did not even read what I had given him! I have since that time, only purchased the organic foods.
That is interesting here in Charlotte at the Trader Joe’s store the TJ Original Almond Milk doesn’t have Carrageenan as a listed ingredient. I just read the carton we purchased this past weekend. I stopped buying the Silk and Almond brands because of they contain Carrageenan.
I have noticed that the larger 1/2 gallon cartons of almond milk do contain carageenan but the smaller cartons do not…
Carageenan is an emulsifier, so the rationale there would be that the small cartons get used up in a shorter amount of time (perhaps even all at once) whereas the 1/2 gallon ones are more likely to be stored once opened, and thus need a stabilizer to maintain the consistency.
Our 1/2 gallons in the San Francisco do not have the carageenan. TJ’s almond milk is the best tasting, in my opinion, not so watery.
Thank you for researching all this information. I do shop at TJ’s and think I’m doing good at avoiding GMO’s from TJ’s. My list of what I buy from TJ’s is on my website http://techiefather.com/food/where-do-i-buy-food-items
I do buy some other items occasionally, but will read the label closely from now on.
Thanks!
I don’t usually comment, but I am a faithful reader! Thanks for all of the very important info and continuing investigations! Ever since I have switched to whole foods I continue to learn more for my family to live healthier. Often they tell me I am being to extreme. But stuff like this infuriates me to no end! I suffered through lymphoma once and went through chemo. Although I know God is in control, I also know I have to do my part to stay healthy. I do NOT want anyone in my family to ever have to go through that. There must be labeling of GMO’s everywhere! Please keep working hard to educate consumers. We need to be proactive and not so trusting to big companies, even if they claim to be “health food” stores and chains. I always read labels now… No matter where I am shopping. Keep up the good work! You are one of my new heroes 😉
This Food Babe or whatever you call this person putting down Trader Joe’s has to get a life! Trader Joe’s is great & beats all the supermarkets combined. Of course evrything is not going to be natural & they won’t claim that it will be but even so the ingredients this person is putting down are still not bad & still beat what the supermarkets can offer! If you don’t want to shop at Trader Joe’s then don’t but many friends & I agree that you can’t buy better groceries or quality anywhere else!
amen to that, maureen! i second! trader joe’s does an awesome job in MYRIAD ways, and they are their own company, so i do not blame them for not jumping on board with the very expensive non-GMO project.
I sooo agree with you. I love Trader Joe’s and the truth is WE HAVE TO READ LABELS no matter where we shop!!!! Whole Foods is way more expensive than TJ’s and some of their products are not organic and also contain GMO’s!!! They have said they will be 100% GMO free by 2018 (why will it take Whole Foods 5 years to do that anyway?). Trader Joe’s has some wonderful organic products priced for EVERYONE to be able to afford and shopping there is a great experience. Poo-poo to this so called “Foodbabe”. Let her hate on other conglomerate supermarkets like Pathmark and Waldbaums, who sell tons of processed foods and hardly no organic or healthy foods. Her story does not change my opinion on shopping at TJ’s.
“They have said they will be 100% GMO free by 2018 (why will it take Whole Foods 5 years to do that anyway?). ”
It takes that long because they’re working with the Non-GMO Project to ACTUALLY verify each and every ingredient in each of hundreds of items! Anyone can slap a label on something and make a claim. They’re making sure.
That doesn’t mean it will be 5 years before ANYTHING happens, it means they know it takes time. The process is going on now and the Non-GMO items are being labeled now and appearing in the stores now. To complete the job though, is not an overnight proposition.
And no, I don’t work for them. I do appreciate the efforts of those who are trying to provide better food and especially those trying to make sure of it.
I agree with your main point: It’s up to us, as it always has been, to read and look for organic and not assume that anything even hinted to be “natural” is GMO-free.
Caveat Emptor. Still true.
I DO work for them and THANK YOU. I’m so sick of seeing WFM dragged through the coals when we’re trying so hard.
I second this, I shop at Trader Joes’ every week. I realize that by buying cookies there I am not buying a whole food, healthy, pure product. Cookies and other processed foods are junk food no matter what. I feel that I get a good value on many organic whole products, pastas, rice, fresh and frozen vegetables, etc. You have to read labels where ever you go, even at Whole Foods. I feed my family 95% whole foods but I have a life and a budget and I can not worry about every little damn thing. She even had an article on beer for goodness sake. Let me drink my beer or wine and relax.
TJ’s is NOT their own company. They are owned and operated by ALDI. They are a multimillion dollar company. If Whole Foods can pay to have ALL their store brand, private label items (both organic and conventional) certified by the Non-GMO Project, so can TJ’s.
TJ’s is fleecing you. They have no quality standards, they have no clear standards for sustainability with their seafood. They dragged their feet forever on switching to the (slightly less cruel but still eeeh) cage free eggs. They don’t have animal welfare standards on their meat. They basically put up a co-op like, friendly, small company feeling in their marketing and folks assume they are a small, independent company. No. ALDI is huge and just as into making a buck as any other company.
I will never, ever understand while Whole Foods, which actually DOES have transparent quality standards, animal welfare labeling, SFD rankings (including not selling the most endangered species or those caught in ways that are damaging the oceans) and is actively working to improve our food system, gets raked through the coals over every little thing but TJ’s is treated like some saintly, perfect company. I do not get it. At all.
Melissa, perhaps it’s because TJ’s is owned by a family who answers to no one but themselves as to how they conduct business while WFM is a publicly held US corporation and is subject to the US corporate culture of profits at any cost. Even if they were doing their best to fight against that metric, it’s a losing battle. If they don’t keep expanding, cutting costs and maximizing profits, Wall Street will eat them alive.
Or maybe they just trust someone named “Joe”.
Very well stated, Melissa! You summarized my feelings, exactly. and to respond to some others, I’m aware that there are many urgent problems in the world, but for those of us with choices, recognizing TJs for what it is empowers us to consciously purchase ethically raised foods.
great article! Not picking on Trader Joes! Just pointing out that many folks assume every item at Trader Joe’s is GMO Free and “Natural” which is misleading. Thanks for pointing out items that are completely safe and pointing out the importance of taking the time to read the labels,
What! Don’t pick on TJ’s for not being forthright in their marketing!??? What about truth in marketing? They will post in their stores that their labeled products do not contain GMO’s but they are unwilling to prove it or have the courage to label it on their products. Their non-GMO claim may be the whole reason someone chooses to shop at TJ’s. Yes, we do have choices and can all read labels, but cannot fully make an informed choice if food manufacturers are not required to tell the truth with non-GMO labeling that is backed by an independent third party. Why are we one of only a few great industrial nations that do not require this! Coincidentally (or not) why are autism rates, ADHD, diabetes, etc, etc. higher in the US. HMMMMMM??
Thank you, Amy, for talking some common sense! Why is ANYONE defending ANY corporation?!?
Corporations are all evil… what aren’t people getting?! Their entire premise is evil. Their CEO’s are psychopaths. Whether it’s TJ’s, Coca-Cola, Walmart or any other – they are all out for one thing: PROFIT. They don’t care about people; marketing slogans are just meant to rope people in and create brand loyalty. Don’t fool yourselves.
My mother and I are incorporated as a small family business. We are the only employees. I guess we’re evil. I’ll let her know.
Corporations are not evil. People are.
So I’m a people and you’re a people and we’re all evil. Okay.
I see your point though. Individuals are each responsible for what they do, good and/or bad.
And at the end of the day, corporations are groups of individuals.
Assuming some other kind of grouping would make everything perfect is as silly as assuming that because some decisionmakers in some of those groups have been callous and irresponsible, they all are. Life is that black-and-white, pretty much never.
I get the distinct impression that you don’t know what a corporation actually is. A huge majority of corporations are tiny operations with no more than ten or so employees; many are just one person.
You obviously don’t know any small business owners working their butts off to SERVE others! while providing for their families. I guess we are all evil. You should really look at all the details Not every corporation is a big company wanting to make their pockets fatter, most just get by but at least they can control their own life. Some of us just want to make an honest living to take care of our families and never expect to get rich.
you obviously make everything yourself and never buy anything pre-made. gotta say very talented 😉 I mean building your own car, bike, furniture, lamp….anything you own, you must be very an expert of all trades. Hope you find some sleep.
I assume that you never, ever would support any evil corporation, since they are all evil, there is really nothing for you out there……lol
Corporations themselves are not evil. Many corporate executives of many large multinational corporations are very unethical and serve only themselves by their executive policies. Many (though not all) smaller corporations are very much in tune with a strong set of personal ethics. I am both a former IRS revenue agent and an investor. Just like our foods, one must do the research on the stocks. Many listed stocks have very admirable traits. If I am buying their products, I try to buy their stock. As mentioned by others, many corporations are private and not on the stock exchanges (including ALDI’s that owns TJ’s).
Good article. A TJs came to our town a year or so ago and everyone was SO excited. I didn’t know much about them, except they claimed to be GMO free. Yeah, right! I do read labels and there is very little I buy from them. And that is organic…although even that I scrutinize closely. Their organic ground beef was awful and I got my money back. Since then I read on Yelp that TJs meats are questionable. (Mostly I buy completely pastured meats, but sometimes the budget doesn’t allow that.)
BTW, I have e-mailed them a couple of times with questions, and they haven’t bothered to answer. That, too, was a red flag for me.
Does any of you know who owns Trader Joe’s?
Whenever we do travel to the US, we shop at that store.
Trader Joes is owned by the German grocery chain – Aldi. I, too, love Traders. But, it has become increasingly clear that they need to provide more transparency to their consumers. Whether its through “Certified GMO Free” project or not!
US consumers are becoming more and more aware of the junk that is in our food supply! It is only a matter of time before change is demanded by our people!!!
Jump on board TRADERS! If you want to keep your customers happy. Step up! Become a leader (try to beat Whole Food at their own game!)) And, provide certification for GMO-free TJ Products! I know I will demand from now on!!
speaking of nitrates, if you happen to be in a pinch and can’t avoid eating a product with nitrates, just remember to chewable vitamin c’s with the food. ascorbic acid neutralizes nitrates, and most foods with nitrates are required by law to contain ascorbic acid, but its the bare minimum (550ppm)
“The inhibition of bacterially mediated N-nitrosation by vitamin C: relevance to the inhibition of endogenous N-nitrosation in the achlorhydric stomach”
http://carcin.oxfordjournals.org/cgi/content/abstract/10/2/397
You may want to consider that your vitamin C is possibly made from GMO corn. See this link:
http://butterbeliever.com/gmos-hiding-in-your-vitamins/
Thank you so much for the information. Currently, there isn’t a TJ’s in my state (Texas), but one will open this weekend, and I was so excited initially. I am disheartened by the fact that a lot of their products contain GMO’s. I became more interested in learning about GMOs after discovering that there has been no research to determine that eating them was not harmful to humans or animals. There have been some research studies where mice who were feed GMO’d corn grew tumors. I can only imagine what it is doing to us. Thank you so much for sharing your wisdom regarding this manner. As excited as I was about a TJ’s open in Texas, I will reconsider whether sojourning to the new site is worth the trip.
Really, people. Think and research things for yourself. With what they have to lose and with deep-pockets corporations (Whole Foods, etc.) who would LOVE to find some GMOs in their products, do you really think this is a lie?
http://www.traderjoes.com/about/customer-updates-responses.asp?i=4
~80% of the products in TJ’s are TJ’s house brands. Ergo, 80% of all the food you can buy in TJ’s is GMO free.
I live in Texas and found a Trader Joe’s. I live in the DFW metroplex. I found one in Ft. Worth.
Just FYI – Trader Joe’s have been open for more than a year in the Dallas/Fort Worth area.
There are already several locations open in Texas have have been for months, among them Houston and Dallas.
Right on! I really don’t like this site picking on Trader Joes. TJ’s does a great service in their independent way. As you say, just READ THE LABELS. If a corn product is not organic, well it most surely is GMO based.
their “independent way” is a marketing scheme…that apparently got you and many others Denise. This is an article that came out three years ago: READ IT
http://money.cnn.com/2010/08/20/news/companies/inside_trader_joes_full_version.fortune/index.htm
Well, from a simple no-brainer PR standpoint, even if they do have these things in their products (not surprising although they advertise ORGANIC on everything…), they should release the records and info. to food baby. Transparency is the best defense. Hiding behind a wall of paperwork gets you no credibility or respect.
90% of corn in America is GMO. GMO’s contaminate, I would avoid corn as much as possible even the organic corn.
I asked a Trader Joe’s employee if there were gmo’s in there products. He said no. I then asked how I could tell if something was organic or not and he said it would be labeled as organic. I read labels very carefully. I avoid processed food anyway. I know the processed food in Trader Joes is not gmo free because i read labels carefully. Canola is pretty much all gmo. I found products containing canola oil in their processed foods. You just have to read labels, stay up on the news about gmo’s and shop carefully. Even at Trader Joe’s there are inorganic and bad things in the foods. There is no regulation about additives in food in America. Be sure and read your labels. Avoid processed foods. processed foods are too good to be true. it’s better to buy whole foods and cook from scratch to be sure you know what’s in your food. That;s the only recourse we have in America. It’s just so sad.
Renee, I’m pretty sure anyone who finds their way here reads labels. You’ll also want to read this:
http://www.traderjoes.com/about/customer-updates-responses.asp?i=4
TJ’s has unequivocally stated that they have researched and documented their supplier’s ability and commitment to provide non-GMO canola oil for all of their house branded products. They also perform random 3rd -party tests to be sure it stays GMO-free. I’ve known for decades that TJ’s contracts with farmers to grow specific crops for them. When they introduced their fantastic canned corn ~22 years ago it was not on the shelf for months at a time. I asked about it and was told “That was the whole harvest. You’ll have to wait until next year.” Over the next 2-3 years they increased the acreage of that specific breed of corn they were contracting for and eventually kept it on the shelf year round. They also pay cash for everything. You can get exactly what you want much more easily when you have a big pile of cash.
They grow non-gmo canola (called rapsoil) in Europe, especially Germany. They are not allowed to grow GMO-crops anymore in most of EU
amen to that, david! why does all the pressure fall on these big companies? it is up to US to determine what is safe for us and what isn’t! if you’re buying some prepackaged crap meal, then it’s probably going to be bad for you, regardless of whether its GMOs or not! boxed mac and cheese – no matter WHERE it comes from, or whether its organic, or whether its non-GMO – it STILL boxed mac and cheese! i mean, come ON! buy WHOLE, REAL food and you will NOT have these problems!
also, i love how this community of folks HATES the USDA for a lot of reasons, but when it comes to organic, they set the standard. NO, i disagree! i would rather buy my food from an uncertified organic source than put ANY trust in the USDA, FDA, or ANY government agency! i have ZERO problem buying non-certified organic produce, meat, and dairy from local farmers because i put my trust in them and NOT in some agency or third party verification of nonGMOs or whatever.
I live in the UK and the bestway to see if you really want something is to read the ingredients and i it’s a really long list don’t buy it!!!!! Most things, unless there are a lot of actual ingredients,o don’t actually need much more than the ingredients you can expects. If the list is hard to say it’s usually bad…
I guess I am confused why people are so horrified. TJ’s is a store, that sells food. Like any other store, INCLUDING the almighty Whole Foods(aka whole paycheck) there are going to be things you may want to avoid. Why would you read the labels at one store and not another? Its about being educated and making good choices. The brands you listed and said OMG DON’T BUY!!! are sold at MOST major grocery store chains so its not TJ’s its ALL stores. I think you have to be VERY aware no matter what store you shop at as ALL stores carry products that are GMO, or something you do not want to be eating.
Thank you! The entire article implied that some how all common sense is going out the window when people shop there. You gotta read those labels whether you’re at Walmart (I certainly hope you aren’t) or Tjs. TJs doesn’t claim to be a heathy food store. They do provide many many healthy options though. Buy organic, read labels, avoid all corn and sugar, eat a plant based diet….but don’t throw TJs under the bus. They do a lot of good.
Very interesting and disappointing at the same time. I have noticed that not all of their products are organic and I have learned to check the labels of all products that I buy whether at TJ’s or someplace else. We do love their Joe-Joe’s and peppermint Joe-Joe’s at the holidays!
I don’t read all your blogs all the time, Food Babe, but for the first time, I feel disappointed. Why have such a negative undertone about a company that encourages healthy living? Personally, I’m thankful for Trader Joe’s. Up until recently I haven’t lived close to TJ’s, and I’m so glad I’m just 30 minutes away from one now…. and I’m truly thankful to have the terrific options that I find there! I agree with a comment left by many repliers…instead of ripping apart TJ’s or other whole-food places, we should each learn to read our labels and choose what we love! To that I add: keep learning what’s healthy and what’s not, and be an encourager!
I found an alternative to Whole Foods and Trader Joe’s for most of my shopping. I’ve been using Nature’s Garden Delivered (google them) and am VERY happy. They deliver to my home every week and all items are ORGANIC or LOCAL, *ALWAYS* GMO free. They are based in Atlanta but will be rolling out delivery to the Southeast in the coming months.
We as consumers have choices and supporting this type of organization is how I cast my vote.
Side note: Watch their video channel: http://NaturesGardenTV.com
A few TJ Food Facts. ALL TJ corn is sourced in Canada. That is how they get gluten free, soy free non GMO corn. Regarding Canola oil (not rap seed oil – a common myth) you can go up to the office and they have an email detailing the origin what not of the product. BTW if you don’t want it they have many other choices. Regarding fruits and vegetables flown in…the do require a large supply and Non-GMO so they must find crops often far away and sometimes out of the country to do so. You can look for the packed on date (for most fruits and vegetables it is with in a few days and not more than 5 days). If you are nice and talk to there staff they will give you a lot of info and sometimes even read to you there documents they cannot give you. I you act like your going to publish their industry secrets all over the web and prevent them from selling stuff for such a good value they will not.
Bottom line is you are all guessing. Why would TJ a family owned private company with no pressure form stakeholders risk there reputation? What would your family chose a few years of profit or a reputation for lifetimes.
The original Trader Joe has retired, and the company is actually owned by Aldi now. Aldi was founded by two German brothers but they are both retired now too. So yes, it is a corporation. That itself doesn’t scare me off.
I am concerned about the lack of transparency. It is not smart to blindly trust what anyone with a financial interest says without verification, and when it comes to verification, their policy statements seem to amount to, “Trust us, we’ve got it covered.” Ri-ight.
That said, it is still up to the buyer to look for certified organic and Non-GMO status. Caveat Emptor.
“Trust but VERIFY.”
Aldi and Trader Joe’s, while owned by the Albrecht, brothers, have separate and distinct ownership and operations.
Each does have its own management, but there is “one ring to rule them all…”
The St. Mark’s Foundation, a/k/a Markus-Stiftung, was set up by the Albrecht brothers and manages both. It holds 100% of Trader Joe’s and 60% of Aldi’s, and controls both. The relation is close enough that some Trader Joe’s items have been reported showing up in Aldi’s stores.
“The St. Mark’s Foundation is a family foundation for the management of the total assets of Aldi Nord and Trader Joe’s . The Foundation was established in 1973, two months after the establishment of Siepmann Foundation by his brother Charles , of Theo Albrecht founded as a public foundation. [1] It is headquartered in Nortorf in Schleswig-Holstein district of Rendsburg-Eckernförde . [2]
The St. Mark’s Foundation is a 100% interest in Trader Joe’s and with a share of 60% majority shareholder of the 36 regional companies of Aldi Nord (“Aldi GmbH & Co KG”). [3] ”
– translated from the German page (there isn’t one in English):
de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Markus-Stiftung
So, I meant to say, you are right that they each have their own management (and therefore more correct in your explanation than I was), but they are not independent of uber-management either. There is a relation in practice, not only in ownership.
This post has little to nothing to do with Trader Joe’s SPECIFICALLY, so the headline is a bit misleading and inflammatory, but hey, you need clicks right? The issues raised aren’t Trader Joe’s issues, they’re issues for the entire US food industry and regulatory framework. Valid issues, not limited to one chain.
Wow, such disinformation being posted. I’m truly disturbed that stuff like this is being believed 100%. Please read the comments from Bryn showing the actual truth. Ugh.
This posting and website might not be for everyone. It can be quite a black hole once you decide to dig deep to really think about what you are eating before you put something in your mouth.
I think the Food Babe does a lovely job of presenting all the information. If you want to be “mostly-healthy” then that is your perogative, but she is freely sharing information that really SHOULD be concerning to people. She is fanatical because she is excited and she cares, not because she hates Trader Joes and is an “Eco-Nazi.”
Thanks for the informative article. I’ve always been health conscious, but now that I am 30, I am really working on getting to know my body and treating it well.
Your first paragraph kinda cracked me up – the whole thinking it’s healthy just because it’s from TJ’s thing.
Way back when I was a teen and vegetarian, my mom prepared a wonderful vegetarian spaghetti and meatballs for me. It was SOOOO good. They were the BEST vegetarian meatballs that I had tasted, to date. So I pulled the wrapper out of the garbage – first ingredient? Beef. My mom felt like ass. She assumed they were vegetarian simply because they came from Trader Joes! Lesson learned. I started reading all the labels after that (a highly suspicious teen is a mothers worst nightmare, haha).
Hey…what about Natural Grocers?
wow – very interesting. thank you for taking the time to investigate your topics so thoroughly. I love TJ’s and will continue to shope there but will definitely be more careful and share this with my readers.
Really? Another blogger sheeple? Brittany, do yourself a favor and do your own research on this subject before you “share” it with anyone. If TJ’s wanted to pursue it they would likely have a slam-dunk libel case against FB. You don’t want to get tangled up in that.
FB completely misrepresented what “Trader Joe’s Official GMO Statement” is and said specifically that they are lying through their teeth about it. She said ” Trader’s Joe’s won’t spend any of their 8 billion dollars in sales to test and prove their products safe.” which is directly contradicting TJ’s written commitment(s). Is that your position? Do you have more proof or even any reason to believe that than she does?
And before you go hopping on her “They wouldn’t tell me their supplier information!” bandwagon, realize that TJ’s entire business model is largely founded on making better deals on better products than anyone else. This means their suppliers are their biggest trade secret and most valuable asset.
Their accountability (“transparency”) is that anyone with a few bucks and a shopping bag can go buy a pile of their food and have it tested. Do you really believe that’s not already happening? With the instant 100′s of millions of shopping dollars that would walk in the doors of Whole Foods if TJ’s broke the trust of their customers, do you really think this testing hasn’t been going on for sometime to try and catch them out?
Don’t be a sheeple. Think for yourself before repeating this mess to your own blog readers.
Bryn, encouraging my readers to read labels more carefully is hardly being a sheeple. I always make final decisions based off of my own knowledge and experiences. I am a huge supporter of TJs but I think this article emphasizes the importance of doing your own research and not just following hats popular and trendy at the moment. Sharing this article doesn’t mean I think FB is bible it means I want my readers to do their own research and look more closely at labels.
This article says unequivocally that TJ’s is lying and says that any TJ’s store brand products that include ingredients that are largely farmed as GMO in the USA (“corn, soy, cottonseed, papaya, sugar, canola, zucchini/squash”) are probably made with GMO ingredients. If that’s the coattails you want to grab onto then by all means do so. Enjoy the ride.
Out of curiosity, what are your “own knowledge and experiences” and “your own research” that causes you to be in agreement with FB’s conclusions and advice in this article regarding TJ’s?
I wonder if this and other like it are a propaganda piece to force private companies into paying for certification to boost the bottom line of the Non-GMO project. I am 100% for non GMO for it is a modern day plight. Once I get confirmation that the Non-GMO project is 100% free to companies I will buy the bullshit in this article and others like it.
This idea crossed my mind also, Gary. It seems much more plausible than this post being the best FB could do as an “investigation”. Seriously, every time I put that word in quotes on these comments I can’t help laughing at the absurdity it as a description for the post. 🙂
be that as it may, TJ is still doing a ton more for affordable organic and “health” food than profiteers like Whole Farce. And, TJ is right about it being very difficult to ensure sourcing to the margin of error of 0.
I would like some clarification on sugar. Are sugar beets actually labeled as such in an ingredient list or should I expect that anytime sugar is listed that it has come from sugar beets? I suspect that if I want sugar that was sourced from sugar cane that it is labeled as cane sugar. So is my bag of domino sugar actually GMO sugar beets?
IF it is labeled cane sugar and that is ALL. You should be ok.
Exactly.
Which is a great example of how to read labels – by what is actually there, and what is not.
If it says “100% Cane Sugar” or at least “Cane Sugar” with no other ingredients, you’re probably clear. If it doesn’t spell out the source of the sugar, it likely came from whatever was available and cheapest at the time, which can include GMO sugar beets.
Regardless of who sells it.
I should be the GMO test dummy. I was well aware of bare naked containing gmo’s before someone sued. As well as many other products. It is a daily battle to find non-gmo foods. Especially since I’ve had an allergy to the beets, corn, cottonseed and soy. Each year a new one is added and I avoid that as well to avoid being sick, rashes, and kidney swelling.
Although I love shopping at Trader Joe’s ~ I always read the label and if something is not clearly marked organic and non-gmo then I don’t buy it. As consumers we have to demand certain things and by purchasing one product over another does send a message. Ask why? I do at both the Trader Joe’s & Whole Foods store that I shop at.
Cassie, ALL house branded products in TJ’s are labeled GMO-free. Or perhaps better stated as “due-diligence GMO-free to the highest standard possible”. Their procedures (as published) are certainly more stringent than either organic certification or the Non-GMO Project.
http://www.traderjoes.com/about/customer-updates-responses.asp?i=4
I have a problem with the whole “we have a right to know what’s in our food.” YOU’RE choosing to buy the food; no one is forcing you too. If Trader Joes doesn’t want to disclose certain information and that bugs you, then scoot. Buy from somewhere that does. Or better yet, grow your own.
Who ARE these people who think everything there is safe?!? I only go there for the few truly-safe things they carry, like organic pasta sauce in glass jars, and wild cold-smoked salmon with nothing added. And their produce?? That’s always been over-priced and under-quality! Ditto for all their dairy!!
The more we only buy what’s certified organic and non-GMO Project Verified, the more we vote with our dollars for more of the good stuff and more transparency.
Speaking of which, if near you, try BJ’s wholesale club: FAR more organic produce and frozen goods and proteins than any other big chain, even WFMI I’d wager. BJ’s deserves our support of their efforts to bring us healthier foods at lower prices.
Why bother with processed food anyway?
Whole foods from unheated honey to organically
produced eggs give you all you need diet wise
Plant vegetable and fruit are givens aren’t they?
Not buying TJ product period changes their attitude
right on David…its a processed food anyway…. Carrageenan or not….
buy local and organic and nothing to complain about.
and stay away from big labels in the first place eating is a political standpoint not only a healthy one…i want to support the good guys and also keep my paychecks out of the hospital and pharmacies , thanks!
You use the term “our” food. It isn’t your food until you buy it. Also, these private watchdog groups are not regulatory entities and Trader Joe’s isn’t concerned with their opinion for that very reason, nor should they feel the obligation.
I worked for Trader Joe’s for a number of years and it was the best employer i’ve had by far. They are remarkably respectful to their crews. Think about that as well..
Thank you so much for all of the valuable info on Trader Joe’s. There is one question that I do have. It would be about Canola oil. My husband did some research on it. He said it should not be in our food. He looked into it awhile ago but said it was rapeseed oil. I would appreciate any information on the subject. I notice many would be good foods but it has that oil.
Laura, Canola oil is a hybrid variety of rapeseed oil, developed in the 70’s. Rapeseed has some off-taste and low-level toxic components which were minimized in the Canola plant. While there is no information I can find that anyone has found Canola to have a verified negative health impact, I personally try to eat it in moderation. Except for TJ’s mayonnaise. It’s nearly impossible to find soy-free mayonnaise these days (shakes fist at Saffola) and I do everything I can to eliminate ALL non-fermented soy products from my diet. And I’m too lazy to make my own mayonnaise. 🙂
I fully agree, the secrecy is so frustrating. If you want to shop at a legit store in San Diego Jimbo’s Naturally has made a non gmo commitment. 100%! I think they allow Julian Pies to be in sold in the stores b/c they took them out and the customers went bat shit crazy. They do contain GMO’s so they put a note up saying so and use at your own risk basically. Pretty cool.
Wow, this is really good to know. I did not realize any of this. I had previously read Trader Joe’s policy on their website and I found it strange they did not label their products as Non-GMO, but still claimed that they were GMO free, and didn’t know why they would do that, but as any consumer, if they said it was true, I was going to believe them. But, now I am glad I still did not purchase items I was questioning. I just had that gut feeling and was a bit reluctant. Trader Joes just recently moved in about 50 miles from me and I stop there when I can. I will definitely be reading the labels more thoroughly and only buying stuff I feel confident about. Too bad a great store has to be so secretive about their products. They may lose a lot of customers.
I had shopped at Trader Joe’s when I found a store and never for one minute assumed that their products were organic. Unless I see the words, organic or non-gmo, I don’t assume because of the reputation of the store. My family won’t shop with me because I have been a label reader for a very long time.
Here’s the bottom line. Educate yourself and be the one to determine what sells in our stores. It isn’t TJ’s fault or anyone else’s. We as the consumer drives the market. STOP government regulation. It is going to KILL the farm. I spoke with my father in law today who is a farmer. He visited a neighboring farm yesterday and spoke with the farmer there who has 200 acres of blueberries, but he is planning to shut things down. Why? Because of government regulation. Every day the poor man has to go out in his fields and determine whether any animals have pooped within 10 feet of his plants and if so the plants are bad. So this guy is going to have to stop growing his blueberries and cranberries because he can’t keep up with this regulation and that’s just ONE of the many regulations he is under. STOP the government…they’re in bed with the ones allowing things like GMOs anyway!!
I bought spinach & artichoke dip from there which has a trader joes laber and it stated Modified either food or corn starch i cant remember which. I was very upset because me and my husband just ate almost the whole jar, and i was pregnant. We thought we could trust it and didnt bother looking because there policy says no GMO’S in trader joe labeled food..We were wrong, and havent been back there since.
Jessica, TJ’s has unequivocally stated that the modified food/corn starch in the dip you ate was verified to be GMO-free, to the best of their ability. Their published procedures are arguably more stringent than either organic certification or the Non-GMO Project in screening out GMO components.
http://www.traderjoes.com/about/customer-updates-responses.asp?i=4
Why would you assume they are lying?
Wait im not following. Even though it said modified its not a GMO? Please explain im sorry.
The modification has nothing to do with whether or not it is a GMO product. It’s the corn/food starch that is modified that is GMO or not, depending on what plant it was sourced from. Some people have some digestive sensitivity to things like modified corn starch, gums, carageenen, etc., but that is a separate issue from whether or not the product contains GMOs.
I concur, this sea weed is not a concern, if it is real, and thanks for this TJ info. an eye opener but not surprised. I was looking and talking to them about sustainable seafood, fresh at the Raleigh store but as with all large corps, they lie, and greenwash. I am not surprised, whole foods, forget it they are corrupt pendejos and over priced, to get all the dumbed down gringo sheeples to think they are ‘saving the world by shopping there, yea right. I was hoping TJ was a little better, however with their attitude and what you posted from one of their talking heads I now change MY mind. Of course as a source for all good things about foods, Cornucopia is the man! I have had Rodale books since mid 70’s.
It is really all about the heart,JJ and company have it, unfortunately the USA has not much of these days , in the corporate and consumer world, too cushy the life, too arrogant, greedy,ignorant obese and xenophobic is the populace now, shame shame, you all get what you deserve.
This just make me want to orient more my gig to Europe. chomping to get back to Central America and the open air markets and corner stores. Boycotts worked somewhat in ‘the old days’ but too lazy are the people, debate me anyone with any of my rants?
yourhealthisyouronlyrealwealth.com MY SITE not selling anything and really I do not cate to sell to gringo sheeples in USA no matter how much gd money you have or class you think you have. All about the heart, I prefer a demographic that appreciated it more, like educated European folks 88% of them vs 16% of gringo sheeples know what sustainable seafood is, go figure..
Food Babe you are on the right track I assume but cut out your sugar and bread consumption.
I went to trader joes a few times and found many of the same issues , I try to get the little corner stores to get a list a gluten free products and fresh vegetables . My large super market has finally ,after many years of suggestion , put the organic , gluten free , and freezer section at one corner of the store. The one store KROGERS had a 4 isle natural foods / product area. I know things are changing but its a slow change. I remember when Gluten Free was a real no show ANYWHERE. I bought everything through the computer . Now most restaurant ‘s are catering to allergy issues , I went in a drug/grocery type store I found 2 things that I could eat ,Raw Almonds and Fuji Water , I found the manager and complained …. like talking to the wall
Thank you for this! Alot needs to be changed in this world to really get down to the nitty gritty of mislabeling and misconceptions in the food industry. Sadly, most of Americans are blind to nutrition labels and are truly unaware of what is really going into their food. If some of your readers wish to remain naive to what companies are really putting into their food, then I feel bad for them. I think it’s awesome that you’re willing to go this far and show people what even the largest “most trustworthy” companies are doing to their food these days!
I think the point is that Trader Joe’s is probably not as healthy and progressive as their reputation suggests. There seems to be a lot of confusion re what is GMO and what is not because the third-party certification is a mystery. She’s clearly not villainizing them because she shops there.
Sure the title is a bit sensationalized, but the argument that they should be more clear and we should hold them to a higher standard is valid, in my opinion. Because we all know how well self-regulation works in any industry, family-owned or not.
Matt, TJ’s would have to be run by stupid business people to provide more transparency in their supply chain. Whatever they are they are clearly not run by stupid business people.
Their entire success and pricing model is based on 3 things: paying cash, negotiating better deals than anyone else, and not paying a distributor. The only way this model works is by keeping as much as possible of their supply chain a closely guarded secret.
Want transparent 3rd party GMO certification? Fine, prices will go up. Oh, wait. That breaks the model of success, doesn’t it?
Want transparent sourcing information? Ummm… ok. What idiot is going to hand you their most valuable business assets?
The bottom line is you can have a place to shop like TJ’s or you can have the transparency. You can’t have both.
What do you think of their sesame bagels with flax? Do they have wood pulp in them? I’m so paranoid about eating wood pulp these days (just the thought grosses me out) that I’m basically afraid of all bagels and other bread products anymore… They’re so chewy and tasty though! 🙁
Elena, you will find wood pulp on the ingredients list of any packaged foods you eat under the name “cellulose”. Cellulose is what makes up nearly every piece of paper you have ever touched, every toothpick you have used, etc. I’m not sure what you’re afraid of happening if you eat cellulose, since the only side effect is a complete lack of nutrition and calories in any cellulose you eat. Just make sure nothing you eat has “cellulose” in the ingredients list and you are safe.
Yea FOODBABE! We love you! I haven’t read the other comments but what about ALDI? I became skeptical of TJ’s after learning they are owned by the same company as ALDI – or have some close relationship. ALDI is a cheap, discount grocery store. I popped in one day and noticed a few of the SAME products TJ’s sells… for example, the potato latkes. They were $1 less at ALDI then at TJs, and tasted the exact same, same look, same box, etc. I just don’t see how TJ’s can be using non-gmo products, which come at a higher price-tag these days, and afford to sell items so cheaply. The math doesn’t add up for me.
Thank you for writing such a through article, I stumbled upon your site and am glad I did. It drives me crazy that we in the US don’t know what we are eating and if one doesn’t constantly stay on top of what the food business is doing than we can’t trust them not to bait and switch when we aren’t looking. We have embraced the ease of purchasing our food and trusted someone else, now large corporations, to provide what’s on our tables. But corporations are here to make money not care for individuals. Find a CSA, find your local farmer, find your farmer’s market and vote with your dollars that way.
Can anybody answer this question for me? European countries don’t allow GMOs, right? So if I buy a chocolate bar made in Switzerland or a box of pasta made in Italy, these are going to be GMO-free, right? (I hope)
http://www.gmo-free-regions.org/gmo-free-regions.html
http://www.organicconsumers.org/gefood/countrieswithbans.cfm
In general GMO are not directly banned in all EU countries but they have to be labeled. but because most EU citizens refused to buy the labeled GMO products, they have pretty much removed them from the shelves. Most of the info is from 2012 and before and a lot has changed for the better regarding GMO.
Animal feed can be GMO and so I would be careful of some meat products if they are not pasture raised. The New Zealand lamb at Trader Joe, is all pasture raised because that’s the only way they raise lamb in New Zealand and it’s the the best tasting lamb you can get, anywhere in the world. New Zealand lamb is the best!
Thank you for the info that we can’t be 100% sure TJ’s products are non gmo. Beyond that, the folks that assume everything in TJ, Sprouts, WF is always healthy/local/organic are the ones with the problem, those stores never promised such. Why get up in arms because TJ is selling red licorice with artificial color/flavor? Really? Pretty sure most real foodies don’t have red licorice on their shopping list anyway and if others want it let them read the label & decide. And everyone knows TJ is not the place to buy produce, just if it’s more convenient to grab something while there for your dinner tonight. Maybe you buy some product at Costco too and lord knows they sell plenty of junk, are we going to be all up in arms about that? Unless you grow your own food or know the farmer you can never be 100% sure what you’re getting but most of us have to make some compromise in that regard and not assume that any store is going to provide us with all organic local food.
A friend of mine works for ALDI’s HQ. He said ALDI and TJ are not connected. They are each owned by German billionaires who are brothers, but don’t share any operations or anything with the other company apparently. Not sure if there is some kind of family feud or something but that was his impression.
Consumer Union (that produces Consumer Reports, among other things) is also on TJ’s case in particular with respect to their meats. You may want to reach out to them/team up.
I’m a little curious and confused as to why Food Babe/Vani thinks that companies should so freely, and without objections, provide her with whatever business information she deems necessary for her to go about conducting her “investigations.” She should have known that Trader Joe’s and the German family that own it are very quiet about their business. And you know what? That’s the way they wanna run things, so deal with it. As an aside, if you want to read an article about the company from a real journalist who has actually met with Trader Joe execs, see this excellent Fortune Magazine piece from 2010: http://money.cnn.com/2010/08/20/news/companies/inside_trader_joes_full_version.fortune/index.htm
Food Babe would be well-served by learning about the concept of “trade libel.” Just because she is a blogger does not shield her from libel suits from companies/organizations for her claims (implied or otherwise) that they are being dishonest, misleading, deceptive, etc. Given her growing audience base, Food Babe is able to influence more and more people. On one hand, this is great – we need more people spreading the word about healthy, organic living. On the other hand, she needs to be careful about the precise words she uses when writing about business practices of specific companies. They are not likely to give her a pass for these remarks since she reaches a lot of people through her site. Mark my words, Food Babe will find herself being sued/issued a cease and desist order/restraining order at some point if she doesn’t choose her words more carefully.. It’s just a matter of time.
It is just a fact that you have to educate yourself and always read the label. Just because it says “natural” does not mean a thing. Also, just because something is USDA organic doesn’t mean it is local (like USA) either. The other day I went to buy grass-fed beef from Sprouts and guess where it was from? Uruguay!