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Orin Smith, CEO Starbucks
PO Box 34067
Seattle, Washington 98124-1067
Dear Orin Smith,
As a health conscious, socially and environmentally-concerned
consumer I am upset about the current policies and practices of
Starbucks. I am upset about the introduction of untested, unlabeled,
and potentially hazardous genetically engineered ingredients --
without my knowledge -- into the foods that I consume and serve
to my family. I am dismayed to learn that Starbucks allows recombinant
Bovine Growth Hormone (rBGH) and other genetically engineered ingredients
(soy and soy derivatives, corn sweeteners, etc.) in your coffee
beverages, ice cream, chocolate, and baked goods. I am also upset
that Starbucks is refusing to brew and serve Fair Trade, shade-grown
coffee in its cafes (as opposed to just selling the beans in bulk);
and that you are not following through completely and transparently
on a previous agreement to improve the wages and working conditions
for the thousands of workers on coffee plantations that supply you
with coffee in Guatemala and other nations. As you know shade-grown
Fair Trade coffee (most of which is organic) is much better for
the environment, helping to preserve biodiversity and the precious
habitat of migratory birds and other creatures, as well as being
safer for coffee workers. As you also know, wages and working conditions
for small coffee producers and plantation workers who supply your
company with its primary product are abysmal.
I have reviewed the current information on genetically
engineered foods and crops and I'm gravely concerned about the effects
they could have on human health and the environment. Since these
foods have been rushed to market, there has been no time to conduct
long-term human health studies. Numerous scientists have warned
that genetic engineering could likely introduce allergens and novel
toxins into food, could lower its nutritional value, and in the
case of milk produced with genetically engineered bovine growth
hormone (rBGH), possibly increase the risk of cancer. I would like
to see Starbucks publicly state that you are removing all genetically
engineered ingredients from your brand-name products, that you will
label your bottled coffee beverages and ice cream as certified rBGH
free (or organic), and that you will pledge never to use genetically
engineered decaffeinated coffee beans, which are currently being
field tested by biotechnology companies.
Furthermore, a GM coffee that controls ripening is
now being developed which would make it possible for the beans to
be mechanically picked. This is yet another example of how biotechnology
is being used to corporate control of global food systems.
If put into production, this GM coffee would further stress up to
60 million small farmers, putting many out of work and pushing them
off of the land.
If you cannot guarantee me in writing that you are
moving to banish untested, unlabeled rBGH and other genetically
engineered food ingredients from your brand-name products, brewing
and promoting Fair Trade coffee in all your cafes, and following
through completely and transparently on your previous pledge to
improve the wages and working conditions of the plantation workers
who supply you with your coffee--you leave me no choice but to boycott
your products, and to tell everyone else I know to do the same thing.
I look forward to receiving a response from you in writing.
Sincerely,
Name and address
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