This year has been absolutely transformative—full of unexpected adventures and delightful surprises. Two major milestones occurred in 2017, in case you missed them…
#1 – Closest to my heart, I became a mother. Harley arrived in January, and being her mom has brought me the most profound joy I've ever known. My greatest wish is that by the time she grows up, our food won't resemble what it is today—loaded with synthetic additives and hazardous pesticides. This has only deepened my determination to keep fighting for a food system that's truly safe.
#2 – I (finally!) launched my own product line, called Truvani. This is my strategy for taking on the food industry in 2018. Keep reading for more details!
One tradition I cherish at year's end is reflecting on all the wonderful progress the past twelve months have delivered and how far we've come. Every bit of effort—sharing knowledge, pushing companies to reform, raising awareness about the dangers of GMO crops, synthetic pesticides, and chemical additives, and choosing organic at the grocery store—is paying off. I'm incredibly proud of my fellow activists and the Food Babe Army!
Sometimes it feels like our food is only getting worse or that meaningful changes take forever, but the reality is we're winning the battle, and I genuinely believe we'll win the war.
Here are some 2017 highlights that prove just how much we are WINNING…
Girl Scouts launch first non-GMO cookie (January 2017) – The Girl Scout S'mores sandwich cookie, available in select markets, is made with verified non-GMO ingredients. Will more varieties appear next season? They also added a GMO label to their other cookies, offering consumers greater transparency. Alongside other amazing activists, we called them out in 2016 for using questionable ingredients and GMOs—it's time they cleaned up their act!
Frito-Lay makes Organic Doritos (February 2017) – Two years ago, we asked Frito-Lay to go organic, and over 20,000 of you signed this petition. Organic Doritos still contain “natural flavors,” so I won't be eating them, but I'm thrilled that the industry is producing more organic options and moving in the RIGHT direction.
Earth Fare removes GMOs from store-brand products (February 2017) – They transitioned more than 500 products to non-GMO and are launching hundreds more.
In-N-Out Burger nixes cottonseed oil in some locations (February 2017) – The Food Babe Army called out In-N-Out for using cottonseed oil last year, and thanks to you, that post was shared thousands of times. They've since replaced cottonseed oil with non-GMO sunflower oil in certain locations.
Bojangles' Chicken & Biscuits is stopping routine antibiotics (February 2017) – Thousands of you signed this petition asking Bojangles' to disclose their ingredients and stop using chicken raised on routine antibiotics. I joined forces with consumer advocacy group U.S. PIRG to deliver our combined petition signatures—totaling more than 12,000—to Bojangles' headquarters in Charlotte. The next day, they emailed us and told the press that “tremendous progress is being made toward eliminating their use of antibiotics important to human medicine by 2020.”
A whistleblower inspired by our petition contacted us, and we were able to publish previously undisclosed ingredients for Bojangles here.
Nestle commits to dropping artificial colors (March 2017) – They announced plans to remove artificial food dyes from all their products (not just candy) by 2020.
Chipotle becomes the first national restaurant chain with no added colors, flavors, or preservatives (March 2017) – They've come a long way since I first wrote about them in 2012.
Papa John's begins testing organic ingredients (April 2017) – Back in 2014, when I first investigated pizza chains, Papa John's was VERY secretive about their ingredients and used some highly controversial additives. After that investigation went viral, Papa John's removed several of those additives and started sourcing antibiotic-free chicken for their pizzas. They also published ingredients on their website (though it's not entirely complete). And now they're testing organic ingredients! Let's keep pushing them to go fully organic—their cheese and meat should be top priorities.
KFC finally moves to eliminate antibiotics (April 2017) – KFC commits to eliminating antibiotics important to human medicine from its chicken by the end of 2018. Given their massive size, this will have a huge impact! KFC wouldn't have taken this step without the hard work of fellow activists at the NRDC (Natural Resources Defense Council), U.S. PIRG, Food Animal Concerns Trust (FACT), Center for Science in the Public Interest (CSPI), Consumers Union, and the Food Babe Army, who have been urging this change.
Fazoli's restaurants removes synthetic additives from all their food (April 2017) – Say goodbye to artificial food dyes, nitrates, artificial sweeteners, sodium benzoate—and all the other 81 artificial additives that Fazoli's eliminated. They completed this move in April at all of their roughly 220 locations.
New food label launched to help you avoid glyphosate weedkiller in your food (April 2017) – I'm thrilled about the new Glyphosate Residue Free label by my partner The Detox Project. In 2016, tests found glyphosate in many popular American foods…Cheerios, Stacy's Pita Chips, Ritz Crackers… even some organic and non-GMO products! My reporting on this was my most shared post of 2016, with millions of views. It resonated with so many of you, and for good reason. That's why this new label is a real game-changer!
Baskin Robbins and Dunkin Donuts move to ditch artificial colors (May 2017) – Those brightly colored donuts and ice creams may not be healthy, but at least they'll no longer contain petroleum-derived artificial colors like Yellow #5 and Red #40, which are linked to hyperactivity in children, cancer, and other health issues. Both brands will remove artificial dyes by the end of 2018.
Caribou Coffee eliminates caramel color, artificial colors, flavors, high fructose corn syrup from their brand (May 2017) – We called out Starbucks for using caramel color and synthetic additives in their drinks, and our reporting went viral, prompting them to change… now other big coffee companies are cleaning up their act too.
California to slap warning labels on Roundup weedkiller as a substance known to cause cancer (July 2017) – Following the WHO International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) ruling that glyphosate is probably carcinogenic to humans, California added it to the state's list of chemicals that can cause cancer. This is the active ingredient in the world's most popular herbicide, Roundup. Hopefully, this warning label raises awareness and makes Roundup a thing of the past!
Campbell's leaves the biggest food industry lobby group – the Grocery Manufacturer's Association (July 2017) – Campbell's CEO said the move was “not financial” but rather “driven by purpose and principles.” She also stated they want to be “the leading health and well-being food company” that provides transparency to customers. The Grocery Manufacturers Association has spent millions fighting GMO labeling campaigns and lobbying for policies that support junk food brands loaded with artificial additives. Looks like their actions are finally catching up with them!
Glyphosate weedkiller found in Ben & Jerry's Ice Cream samples (July 2017) – This may not sound like a win… but in a way it is. The Organic Consumers Association's campaign has massively raised public awareness about how out of control Roundup use has become and how it contaminates popular foods that millions eat daily.
Target ditches artificial additives from their line of foods aimed at children (August 2017) – These products will be free of artificial flavors, artificial preservatives, artificial sweeteners, artificial food dyes, and high fructose corn syrup by the end of 2018.
Triscuits get Non-GMO Project verified (August 2017) – This just goes to show that the demand for non-GMO food is mainstream.
Hy-Vee grocery stores start to eliminate more than 200 artificial additives and synthetic chemicals (August 2017) – They're removing ingredients like high-fructose corn syrup, artificial flavors and colors, and partially hydrogenated oils from their store-brand products. The move should be completed by July of next year.
McDonald's moves to limit antibiotic use in their beef and pork (August 2017) – As the biggest purchaser of beef in the country, this is huge! However, they have yet to set a timeline.
Monsanto is EXPOSED in groundbreaking book Whitewash (October 2017) – Carey Gillam wrote this brave book about Monsanto and the dirty tricks they play to keep Roundup weedkiller on the market, despite all the threats it poses to our health and environment. Just as Rachel Carson sparked the environmental revolution that led to banning the dangerous pesticide DDT over 40 years ago, I believe Carey's book will have a similar impact on our world. Grab a copy here.
Nestle and Dean Foods join Campbell's in leaving the Grocery Manufacturer's Association (October 2017) – Big brands are leaving this corrupt organization in droves!
General Mills cuts artificial flavors and colors from baking products (November 2017) – Let's take this headline with a grain of salt, as General Mills went back on their word and started selling Trix with artificial colors again this year (after removing them with big fanfare last year). We really can't trust Big Food to keep their promises.
Which brings me to my next point… Last, but not least…
I launched my own product line, Truvani in November! Check out the trailer video below
Since our official launch, I can't believe all the incredible thoughtful messages from you, Food Babe Army – your support means the world to me! I can't thank you enough for having such profound faith in me to see this through.
Many people have asked… why did it take you so long?
The reality of starting your own product line is that it's expensive. We considered raising outside capital to fund the creation of Truvani. But outside money comes with outside expectations that put profits over people. At our core, we believe in real food without added chemicals, products without toxins, labels without lies, and we never want outside money to try and “dictate” what we include in our products.
So, our path was clear. Instead of raising outside money, we knew we could accomplish the same effect by pre-selling our first product, the Truvani Daily Turmeric Supplement. This is expected to begin shipping in February 2018. We're starting with turmeric because it's something I personally wanted to consume immediately – but we plan to create a wide variety of products. The vision for Truvani is extensive, and we have several new products in development right now!
We've accomplished so much in such a short period of time. This is the next step, and your continued support will help!
Here's to an INCREDIBLE 2018! I know it will be our best year yet. Onward!
Xo,
Vani
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