N.S. grocery stores ban produce grown using biosolids
Posted Apr 14, 2010 05:53:06 AM.
This article is more than 5 years old.
The province and the city insist fertilizer made from human waste is safe for use on Nova Scotia farmlands – but major grocery chains seem to disagree.
Despite assurances from Environment Minister Stirling Belliveau that biosolids, or human sewage sludge are safe for fertilizing crops, any farmers using it won’t have their products sold in Atlantic Superstore or Sobeys outlets.
Jeannie Cruikshank of the Canadian Council of Grocery Distributors says the grocery stores also require suppliers to disclose the use of any non-agricultural generated bio-solids – which refers specifically to sewage sludge, a by-product of Halifax’s sewage treatment plants.
“That’s all part of the stringent requirements that’s undertaken so that retailers can ensure, and more importantly the consumers can know, food safety is a top priority,” said Cruikshank.
Elizabeth May, leader of Canada’s Green Party is applauding the retailers’ decision, saying biosolids just aren’t safe.
“Human sewage sludge these days contains a lot of heavy metals, can contain pathogens,” she said. “In other words, biological materials which can be deadly. It also contains a lot of pharmaceutical products.”
May says the Green Party wants the use of biosolids banned from use altogether.
