The problem, according to the inspector general report, is that the department is not ensuring that all who sell "USDA Organic" products are, actually, meeting the federal government standards to be labeled as such. While the department has been able to "maintain the integrity of the organic program," there have been challenges in handling complaints about those who may be mislabeling their products.
The organic program has seen the industry grow over the last ten years by 14 to 21 percent annually. In 2008 the industry had sales of $24.6 billion. As the demand for organic products has grown, so to have complaints that the government is not doing enough to ensure the products entering the market meet the federal standards to be labeled as "USDA Organic."
The internal report says the department has failed to monitor some companies it had already identified as improperly marketing their products as organic. In one case, the department never issued enforcement action against an operation that had marketed non-organic mint under the department's label for two years.The Obama administration notes that it has increased funding in its budget to Congress for dealing with the issue and are stepping up oversight, while the USDA looks to make improvements to the program.
To read the Jalonick article on the report, click here.
Posted: 03/19/10
