A coalition representing more than 40 consumer, environmental and scientific groups has submitted a comment to the Canadian General Standards Board Committee (CGSBC), objecting to several provisions in a proposed Canadian Organic Aquaculture Standard. According to a press release, the joint letter alleges that the draft standard “is contrary to the basic principles of organics as it would allow certification of net pen farmed salmon” and other carnivorous finfish. The signatories take particular umbrage at the sections relating to net pen production that would reportedly permit (i) antibiotic and pesticide use; (ii) “uncontrolled” waste disposal into the ocean; (iii) unlimited use of “sustainable” wild fish in feed; and (iv) feed containing 30 percent or less “non-organic, unsustainable sources” if organic sources are not available. The letter also raises concern about “the spread of disease and parasites lethal to wild fish,” as well as the possibility of escaping farm fish and…
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The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Organic Program (NOP) has prepared a handbook that provides guidance and instructions for those who own, manage or certify organic businesses. In addition to federal regulations and recordkeeping requirements, the first-edition handbook covers topics that include: (i) “the allowance of green waste in organic production systems”; (ii) “approval of liquid fertilizers in organic production”; (iii) “certification of organic yeast”; (iv) “processed animal manures in organic crop production”; (v) “reassessed inert ingredients”; and “the calculation of dry matter intake for NOP’s access to pasture requirements.” See USDA Press Release, September 2, 2010. In a related development, USDA’s Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) has reportedly issued new NOP enforcement procedures to ensure that “all complaints of alleged violations and civil penalties are consistently handled.” NOP will now work with accredited certifying agents to investigate complaints about alleged violations, in addition to handling enforcement. “The changes we are…
The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Organic Program (NOP) has issued an interim final rule that extends until October 1, 2012, the allowance for methionine in organic poultry production. Effective October 1, 2010, the interim rule allows organic operations to use synthetic methionine at the following maximum limits per ton of poultry feed: (i) four pounds for laying chickens; (ii) five pounds for broiler chickens; and (iii) six pounds for turkeys and all other poultry. According to an August 24, 2010, press release, the National Organic Standards Board (NOSB) in April 2010 called for amending the National List of Allowed and Prohibited Substances to permit the continued use of synthetic methionine, an amino acid essential for poultry health and development, because its prohibition would “cause substantial economic hardship” for producers. In addition, NOSB has recommended extending the allowance beyond October 1, 2012, to October 1, 2015, while decreasing “the maximum…
A forthcoming Judgment and Decision Making study has reportedly suggested that consumers underestimate the calorie content of foods deemed “organic.” According to media reports, University of Michigan researchers found that students presented with identical food choices were more likely to describe the option labeled “organic” as having fewer calories than the “conventional” product. Participants also expressed greater leniency toward a fictional dieter if she selected an organic dessert over a non-organic one. “These findings suggest that ‘organic’ claims may not only foster lower calorie estimates and higher consumption intentions, but they may also convey that one has already made great progress toward one’s weight loss goal,” one researcher was quoted as saying. See LiveScience.com, June 24, 2010.
An organic industry watchdog has released a June 7, 2010, letter that urges the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to increase the transparency of the National Organic Standards Board (NOSB) appointment process. “The Cornucopia Institute, and other organic advocates, have long been concerned that representatives from corporate agribusiness have obtained a disproportionate influence on rulemaking at the USDA,” states a June 8 press release, which claims that in the past, “many eminently qualified candidates . . . did not have the political clout to be appointed.” According to Cornucopia, USDA has continued “the Bush administration policy of keeping secret the nominees and the related corporations or organizations they work for or represent.” The group alleges that NOSB positions reserved for consumers or organic farmers have previously gone to specialists employed by corporate agribusiness or only the largest organic marketers. It has thus asked USDA to make public “the name of…
The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Organics Program (NOP) has announced a settlement agreement with one of the nation’s leading organic certifiers, which had allegedly allowed inspections of Chinese organic food operations by auditors with a conflict of interest. Under the agreement, Nebraska-based Organic Crop Improvement Association (OCIA) will be prohibited from certifying organic operations in China for one year and can be approved for re-accreditation as a certifying agent in China only if it hires inspectors with no connection to governmental or quasi-governmental entities. According to a press report, OCIA allowed government-affiliated inspectors to inspect farms operated on government-owned land and failed to properly oversee the inspectors’ activities. NOP apparently discovered the conflict during an August 2007 onsite OCIA audit and proposed revoking OCIA’s accreditation in China in July 2008. The agreement does not affect OCIA’s accreditation as an organic certifier in the United States, Canada and Latin America.…
A putative class action has reportedly been filed against California’s largest herb grower, shipper and marketer, alleging that the defendant “played California consumers for fools,” by selling as organic, and at higher prices, conventionally grown herbs. Quesada v. HerbThyme Farms, No. __ (Cal. Super. Ct., filed April 2010). According to the complaint, the company owns a large number of conventional farms and just one smaller organic farm, and, when its “profits grew at a slower rate than the company wanted, it turned to fraud.” Seeking restitution, damages and injunctive relief, the plaintiff alleges that the company labeled conventionally grown herbs as “Fresh Organic” in violation of California business and consumer fraud laws. See Courthouse News Service, April 28, 2010.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA’s) National Organic Program (NOP) has announced that its 2006 decision approving the fortification of organic infant formula and organic milk products with synthetic omega-3 fatty acid DHASCO (DHA) and omega-6 fatty acid ARASCO (ARA) resulted from an incorrect interpretation of nutritional guidelines and NOP board recommendations. Thus, DHA and ARA, present in 90 percent of organic infant formulas, will no longer be permitted in foods certified as organic, and NOP plans to issue draft guidance, subject to a 60-day public comment period, to “provide a transition time for businesses to reformulate products to comply with the regulations.” Organics watchdog Cornucopia Institute recently re-filed a complaint with the NOP contending that the use of DHA and ARA in organic infant formulas and organic dairy foods constitutes a possible violation of NOP regulatory standards. The institute claimed that a former NOP director overruled the determination of…
The Cornucopia Institute has called for action by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to stop what it alleges is the misleading practice of companies using the word “organic” in their names while selling foods not certified organic. In its April 22, 2010, letter to the USDA’s deputy administrator, the institute contends that the agency has the authority “to take enforcement action against the misuse of the term ‘Organic’ in company names.” It specifically cites Oskri Organics, Organic Bistro and Newman’s Own Organics as companies that sell a variety of food products some of which, but not all, are certified organic. According to the institute, this practice “is not only highly misleading to consumers, but also in violation of the organic standards.” The letter addressed to the FTC chair calls the practice a violation of unfair competition law and calls for a formal investigation…
The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA’s) National Organic Standards Board (NOSB) has requested nominations for five upcoming vacancies. The 15-member board is charged with developing and recommending a proposed National List of Allowed and Prohibited Substances. NOSB is seeking two organic producers, two “consumer/public interest” individuals and a USDA-accredited certifying agent to serve five-year terms. Written nominations must be postmarked on or before July 17, 2010. See Federal Register, March 22, 2010.
