FEATURED ISSUE
Organic fraud
An increasing number of shoppers are willing to purchase “organic” products at a higher cost to ensure that their foods are free of synthetic pesticides, antibiotics, hormones, and genetically-modified organisms. Unfortunately, there is evidence of fraud: some non-qualifying products have been falsely labeled as organic. This month’s Issue gives you an overview of what has been happening in 2018 to remedy this situation so that trust in the organic label can be restored. The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) National Organic Program’s (NOP) three-pronged plan includes: (1) strong organic control systems, (2) farm-to-market traceability, and (3) robust enforcement. Outside the government, the Organic Trade Association (OTA) has kicked off their Global Organic Supply Chain Integrity (GOSCI) Task Force, a pilot program to deter organic fraud.

ISSUE: What is happening to restore trust in organic label?

AHHA strives to maintain a neutral position on issues and views knowledge as power. For those interested in learning more about this month’s issue, the following related articles were selected to serve as a foundation for becoming aware of this matter.

USDA outlines three-prong plan to detect and prevent fraud in organic (5/30/18)
by Elizabeth Crawford
Food Navigator-USA
[USDA NOP launched a comprehensive and aggressive three-prong approach to detect and prevent fraud in the organic industry]

What’s the National Organic Program Doing About Organic Fraud (8/30/18)
Organic Produce Network
[NOP now coordinating with Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS)]

Compliance and Enforcement Updates: NOP Enforcement Activities (9/11/18)
US Department of Agriculture (USDA)
[Quarterly tallying of actual NOP activities]

Multi-Million Dollar Organic Fraud Scheme Uncovered In America’s Heartland…Here’s What You Need to Know (11/2/18)
by Nick Meyer
AltHealth Works
[Specific case of enforcement of organic fraud]

Pilot program kicks off to deter organic fraud (11/5/18)
Organic Trade Association
[OTA pilot project to prevent and detect fraud in the global organic system]

National Organic Program (NOP)
US Department of Agriculture (USDA)
[NOP standards for USDA organic seal]

Fraudulent Organic Certificates
US Department of Agriculture (USDA)
[How to report fraudulent USDA organic certificates]

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