And so I dug a little deeper, and found stuff that any journalist, or member of the Organic Consumer Association could find out and either use in a news story or post to their websites.

And as I dig, I find things like vitamin C on a list of “synthetic” additives which are putting organic conusmer advocates in a tizzy. This makes me wonder two things. One, what is the USDA’s definition of “synthetic” and its opposite, “non-synethetic?” And, two: do the folks at OCA and the journalists and alternative media outlets which are spreading this story (Alternet, Common Dreams, and Salon, to name a few) have a clue what chemicals they are riling everyone up about?

My guess is this–they don’t.

I really hate to feel myself coming down on the side of the USDA and the Organic Trade Association on this issue–good lord, I am siding with the gummint and big money, but good lord–if anyone is hiding facts in this case, it is the OCA and the media.

And that weirds me out.

So, well, look for another installment tomorrow.

And the next day. And the next. Until I go through the entire list of Those Darned Chemicals.