Cornucopia Institute Asks USDA to Investigate Hydroponic Produce Organic Certification

The Cornucopia Institute has filed a complaint with the U.S. Department
of Agriculture “requesting an investigation into the organic certification
of hydroponic operations in the U.S. that appear to conflict with the
statutory language of the Organic Foods Production Act (OFPA) of 1990
and current federal regulations governing organic food production.”
The organization argues that two companies, Wholesum Harvest Family
Farms and Driscoll’s, sell hydroponically raised produce as certified
organic despite failing to meet federal standards on the contents of their
soil, which allegedly include peat moss, coconut cuir and hydrolyzed soy
fertilizers made from genetically modified soybeans.

“Hydroponic and container systems rely on liquid fertilizers developed
from conventional crops or waste products,” said a Cornucopia Institute
farm policy analyst in a November 1, 2016, press release. “Suggesting that
they should qualify for organic labeling is a specious argument.”

Issue 621