Center for Global Food Issues Launches "Mad Cow Facts" Web Site to Counter Misleading Online Information

Strategic Insights -

The Center for Global Food Issues (CGFI) has launched a web site, mad-cow-facts.com, to provide accurate information about Mad Cow Disease, also known as Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy (BSE). The site aims to counter the spread of misinformation and misleading claims made by special interest groups and organic food companies about the disease.

CGFI's Director of Research, Alex Avery, stated that these groups are exploiting public concerns about mad cow disease to advance their agendas and increase fundraising. Avery noted that certain advocacy groups are using the internet to spread false and misleading fears about conventional agriculture and American beef production practices. The organization claims that these direct and implied food safety claims are not based in medical or scientific fact.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Center for Global Food Issues (CGFI) has launched a "Mad Cow Facts" web site to provide accurate information about Mad Cow Disease.
  • Recent research shows that facts and credible information about Mad Cow Disease are not always easy to find online, with scores of organic food companies and advocacy organizations attempting to manipulate search engines and news portals with misleading web sites, press releases, and advertising.
  • Four out of the top ten search results for "mad cow" on Google are activist groups promoting organic agriculture, with companies like Stonyfield Organic Yogurt and PETA purchasing online advertising on news sites.
  • CGFI claims that certain advocacy groups are using the internet to spread false and misleading fears about conventional agriculture and American beef production practices to increase fundraising and promote their special interest agendas.
  • The organization notes that existing state and federal laws and regulations prohibit false, misleading, and often untruthful marketing practices under categories including food labeling, unfair trade, and product disparagement.
  • CGFI has launched a similar campaign, "Milk is Milk," to educate food retailers about false and misleading dairy marketing practices.

Statistics:

  • Scores of organic food companies and advocacy organizations are attempting to manipulate search engines and news portals with misleading web sites, press releases, and advertising.
  • 75% of all web searches are made on Google (Source: Search Engine Watch).
  • Four out of the top ten search results for "mad cow" on Google are activist groups promoting organic agriculture.
  • The Hudson Institute, a tax-exempt non-profit public policy organization, provides factual, science-based information on important food and farming issues (Source: Hudson Institute).

Sources:

  • PRNewswire: "Center for Global Food Issues Launches 'Mad Cow Facts' Web Site to Counter Misleading Online Information" (Date: January 22)
  • Search Engine Watch: Google Search Results (Source: Search Engine Watch)
  • Hudson Institute: About the Hudson Institute (Source: Hudson Institute)