Today the Washington Post’s writers Kimberly Kindy and Lyndsey Layton took a hard look at the USDA’s National Organic Program. For story, click here. The story highlights instances when synthetic additives have been allowed into foods “certified organic.” According to the story,
[t]he market's expansion is fueling tension over whether the federal program should be governed by a strict interpretation of "organic" or broadened to include more products by allowing trace elements of non-organic substances. The argument is not over whether the non-organics pose a health threat, but whether they weaken the integrity of the federal organic label.Dean Foods’ organic division introduced a “natural” products label which will be a lower-priced alternative to organic foods is seen as proof USDA’s organic label has been weakened. For more on Dean Foods' "natural" label, click here.
The weakening of the label is seen to be caused by major food companies buying up the small organic companies and trying to expand the definition of what is “organic.” In 2006, language was added to the Program to allow include
synthetic food substances in the preparation, processing and packaging of organic foods, creating conditions for a flood of processed organic foods.Finally, the story highlights the decisions made by Barbara Robinson, a deputy USDA administrator in charge of the Program. Robinson overruled her staff and allowed a infant formula company to include fatty acids in their formula, the acids are seen to be helpful to infants.
In an interview, Robinson said she agreed with Friedman's [a lawyer for the formula makers] argument that fatty acids were not permitted because of an oversight. Vitamins and minerals are allowed, but "accessory nutrients" -- the category that describes fatty acids -- are not specifically named.Robinson has allowed
farmers and certifiers to use pesticides on organic crops if "after a reasonable effort" they could not determine whether the pesticide contained chemicals prohibited by the organics law.Many of Robinson’s decisions where rescinded later by then Secretary Ann Veneman.
The current administration has said that they intend to heighten enforcement and protect the organic label.
For an understanding of USDA’s organic labels, click here.
Posted: 07/03/09
