USDA moves to crack down on 'organic' fraud

The Agriculture Department announced new guidelines for products labeled "organic," a term that has been increasingly abused as shoppers have sought healthier, environmentally friendly food.

Tom Chapman, chief executive of the Organic Trade Association, said the updates represent "the single largest revision to the organic standards since they were published in 1990." They should go a long way toward boosting confidence in the "organic" label, Chapman said, noting that the move "raises the bar to prevent bad actors at any point in the supply chain."

And this week, two Minnesota farmers were charged in connection with an alleged plan to sell more than $46 million in chemically treated crops as organic between 2014 and 2021."When rule-breakers cheat the system, it sows seeds of doubt about the organic label's integrity and jeopardizes the future of the industry as a whole," Rep. Chellie Pingree said in a statement.

The supply chain has long bedeviled organic food producers, particularly as the industry has grown and large manufacturers source their ingredients from overseas, where it's harder to check if they are meeting standards. U.S. organic farmers complain that allowing companies to market these products as "organic" creates an unlevel playing field and undermines trust in the label.

Some food industry organizations say they aren't yet sure how onerous the new rule will be for members. Others already say the new rule doesn't go far enough to root out fraud.

United States Latest News, United States Headlines

Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.

Bitzlato and its founder face enforcement actions from US authoritiesICYMI: The Department of Justice, Treasury Department and French law enforcement seized many of Bitzlato's resources and alleged the firm helped launder $700 million in illicit funds. blah blah blah If it wasn't Rosia, she would be safe America is a corrupt nation it's just that they can print money at will What if FTX and terra luna, and other events that ruin trust in crypto are planned so that financial elites can swoop in with a ‘safe’ alternative that they can profit from/monopolize
Source: Cointelegraph - 🏆 562. / 51 Read more »

USDA Approves First Vaccine For HoneybeesThe United States Department of Agriculture has approved the first-ever vaccine for honeybees to protect the insects from American foulbrood disease, a fatal bacterial disease that can destroy entire honeybee colonies. What do you think? Is it for HIV (e) I only buy honey from pure blood bees. 'Aspiring Landlord' 😂
Source: TheOnion - 🏆 724. / 51 Read more »

'Huge Win for Organic Farmers' as USDA Files Long-Sought Rule to Prevent FraudOne advocate said the rule change 'will help tighten the national organic system to ensure organic integrity and better protect American organic farmers and confidence in the organic seal.'
Source: commondreams - 🏆 530. / 51 Read more »

USDA toughens up regulation of organic products for first time since 1990 | CNNThe US Department of Agriculture is taking steps to improve the transparency and standards for products that are currently considered organic. My balls are organic. I thought Organic meant it had been Shit on by a Gaggle of Illegal aliens. Just say no to GMO's
Source: CNN - 🏆 4. / 95 Read more »

Longtime head of state wineries named Md. Secretary of AgricultureAtticks founded Grow & Fortify in 2015 to strengthen the state’s broader craft alcohol industry and support the agriculture businesses connected to it. His firm represented wine, beer and spirits makers across the state.
Source: PennLive - 🏆 463. / 53 Read more »

Energy and agriculture sectors at odds in Imperial CountyICYMI on KPBS Midday Edition: Climate change is making farming harder in Imperial County — while the future of solar in the region is looking bright.
Source: KPBSnews - 🏆 240. / 63 Read more »