Vedic City Working To Outlaw Non-organic Food

Associated Press/December 4, 2002

Officials in a southeast Iowa community have passed the first reading of an ordinance that outlaws the sale of non-organic food in the city limits.

The Vedic City Council ordinance outlaws genetically modified food and anything not grown organically.

The founders of the city are followers of Maharishi Mahesh Yogi, leader of the Transcendental Meditation movement and founder of the Maharishi University of Management in nearby Fairfield.

The ordinance was suggested after several city residents reported allergic reactions after recent crop dusting on nearby farms.

Non-organic food purchased outside of the city could still be legally eaten under the ordinance.

The ordinance must pass two more readings before it becomes law.