The USDA is Taking Steps to Combat 'Organic' Fraud

The USDA takes steps to deal with 'organic' fraud and to strengthen its current regulations

Highlights:

The label 'organic' can be used only by agricultural products that achieve organic certification
This would aid in preventing and detecting organic fraud and maintaining organic integrity across the supply chain
It streamlines the USDA's jurisdiction to pursue enforcement measures against anyone engaging in any fraudulent activity

The USDA ( U.S. Department of Agriculture) National Organic Program (NOP) provided a sneak peek at the final Strengthening Organic Enforcement (SOE) rule. This modification to the USDA organic laws increases control and enforcement of organic product production, handling, and sale. This final rule incorporates 2018 Farm Bill obligations, answers industry requests for revisions to USDA organic standards, and addresses suggestions from the National Organic Standards Board (NOSB).

The rule enhances enforcement of the USDA's rigorous organic criteria, which must rely to the greatest degree practicable on natural ingredients and physical, mechanical, or biologically based farming practices.

History of Organic Food
Organic farming has been prevalent since the time the practice of agriculture began

‘The USDA National Organic Program now requires a certification for all imported organic food to cover new supply chain organizations and increases jurisdiction for inspections, record-keeping, traceability, and fraud prevention tactics’

The rule requires USDA National Organic Program certification for all imported organic food, expands certifications to include additional firms in the supply chain, and strengthens jurisdiction for inspections, record-keeping, traceability, and fraud prevention techniques.

The Organic Trade Association, which fought for the rule, stated that it is the most significant modification to organic regulations since the establishment of the USDA organic food program.

The New Policy

The policy, according to OTA officials, "will do much to deter and detect organic fraud and maintain organic integrity across the supply chain." According to the OTA, sales of organic foods in the United States will exceed $63 billion by 2021, with consumers willing to pay a premium for products free of pesticides and other toxins.

Fresh fruits and vegetables, cereals, and other foods are subject to forgery. This month, the Department of Justice brought indictments in a multimillion-dollar plan to export non-organic grain to the United States and sell it as certified organic grain.

Shopper’s Guide to Buying Organic Foods
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The new rule takes effect in March, and companies will have a year to comply with the requirements.

"It streamlines the USDA's authority to undertake enforcement actions against anyone doing anything fraudulent," he explained.

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According to the Organic Trade Association, sales of organic goods in the United States have more than doubled in the last decade. According to the association, sales will reach approximately $62 billion in 2020.

According to Chapman, consumers can determine whether their items are organic by looking for the USDA organic seal.

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"That's your stamp of approval that this food is truly organic," he explained.

Source-Medindia