Certificação de produtos orgânicos: obstáculos à implantação de um sistema participativo de garantia na Andaluzia, Espanha.

O trabalho analisa o processo de organização de produtores orgânicos da Andaluzia que estiveram envolvidos em uma tentativa de implantação de um sistema participativo de garantia. Esta iniciativa foi liderada pela administração dessa comunidade autônoma espanhola entre 2006 e 2008. O estudo baseia-se em entrevistas realizadas com atores sociais que estiveram implicados nesse processo, identificando os obstáculos políticos e organizativos que impediram que essa proposta pudesse avançar

Oral exposure of broiler breeder hens to extra thyroxine modulates early adaptive immune responses in progeny chicks.

peer reviewedBased on the findings of a recent study suggesting a decreased cold-induced ascites incidence in broiler progeny from hyperthyroid (HYPER) breeder hens, and a controversy on the effects of hyperthyroidism on immunocompetence, the present study was conducted to determine the probable adverse effect of induced maternal hyperthyroidism on immune function in progeny chicks. Breeder hens (n = 88) were randomly allotted to the control or HYPER groups and received common or thyroxine (T4)-added (1 mg/L) water, respectively. The hens were artificially inseminated, and hatching eggs (n = 924) were incubated. Thereafter, the male hatchlings (n = 288) were reared for 42 d, and several cellular and humoral immune responses were evaluated at standard or low ambient temperature. Prevaccination antibody titers to Newcastle disease, infectious bronchitis, and infectious bursal disease virus were higher in HYPER chicks during 1 wk of age, although not different in their dams. For primary response to SRBC administered at 7 d of age, HYPER chicks recorded higher total, IgM (d 14), and IgG (d 21) anti-SRBC antibody titers. Higher cutaneous basophilic hypersensitivity response in HYPER chicks (d 10) was not observed at 35 d of age. Carbon clearance assay showed no difference, but in vitro lymphoproliferative response to concanavalin A was higher in 19-d-old HYPER chicks, independent of temperature treatment. An increase in lymphocyte percentage coincided with a decreased heterophil percentage and heterophil to lymphocyte ratio (d 14) in the HYPER group. The weight of lymphoid organs in progeny was not influenced by the oral exposure of dams to extra T4. Independent of T4 treatment, cold exposure was generally associated with decreased immune functions at early stages. The data suggested that oral exposure of broiler breeder hens to 1 mg/L of T4 not only had no adverse effect on immune function, but also modulated early adaptive immune responses in progeny chicks for which the causal mechanisms remain to be unraveled

Os supermercados na oferta de alimentos orgânicos: apelando ao estilo de vida ego-trip Supermarkets and the promotion of organics: appealing to ego-trip life-stile

A medida que a produção e o mercado de alimentos orgânicos foram se expandindo durante os anos 90, tanto no contexto internacional quanto no Brasil, os supermercados passaram a ter um papel dominante em relação aos canais alternativos de comercialização.Este artigo pretende contribuir na análise do papel do setor supermercadista na comercialização de produtos orgânicos, fundamentalmente frutas, legumes e verduras (FLV), e nos tipos de consumidor focalizados nas suas estratégias. Para isto, analisamos diversas referências bibliográficas - publicações especializadas no setor supermercadista e relatórios de agências de consultoria internacional, que nos permitam delinear algumas das características das estratégias dos supermercados na comercialização de orgânicos no mundo e no Brasil. Também procuramos, a partir da análise da estratégia dos supermercados, delinear algumas características do perfil dos consumidores. Argumentamos, a partir dos dados acima referenciados, que o consumo crescente de orgânicos nos supermercados é parte de uma demanda mais ampla por alimentos saudáveis que, por sua vez, faz parte de um estilo de vida que tem sido caracterizado como ego-trip, em contraste com o ecológico-trip.<br>As the production and commercialisation of organic food has been expanding since the 90s, both in the international and Brazilian context, supermarkets have assumed a dominant role in relation to alternative markets. This article intends to contribute to the analysis of this role, especially in the commercialisation of fruits, legumes and vegetables (FLV), and to identify the types of consumer that are addressed by their strategies. I use diverse bibliographic references - specialized publications of the retail sector and reports of international consultancy agencies. Through this material it is possible to characterized supermarket strategies in relation to organics in the world and particularly in Brazil. Also, through the analysis of those strategies, it is discussed the profile of the organic consumer. One of the main arguments of this article is that the growing consumption of organics at the supermarkets is part of a more broad demand for healthy food, that is also part of a lifestyle characterized as ego-trip, in opposition with one that can be more ecological responsible, the ecological-trip style of life