Lax USDA "Organic" Label Threatens Local Organic Food Industry

So what should "organic" mean? Michael Pollan wrote a great book of course in Omnivore's Dilemma. It tells some of the story of how the "organic" label came to be. What's left seems to be a woefully compromised ideal. So what can be done about it? Personally, I'd like to see consumers get more organized and rely less on the government. I've recently blogged on this very question at http://www.businessforthebetter.blogspot.com/. A commentor asked what organic means? My point is, we should be asking, "what do we want it to mean?" and "what are we going to do to give it that meaning." I'd love to get some responses at http://www.businessforthebetter.blogspot.com/.

Federal organic standards have not been “relaxed.” Rigorously enforced standards can and do go hand-in-hand with growth. The organic industry and OTA have long pushed for national organic regulations that consumers can rely on. As a result, organic agriculture and products remain the most strictly regulated, as well as the fastest growing, food system in the United States today.

Underpinning this system is a detailed rule-making process. For example, materials must go through an extensive review process (outlined below) before they are permitted for inclusion in organic products. In regards to fatty acids, the USDA regulators followed the recommendation of the National Organic Standards Board (NOSB).

NOSB, a citizen advisory board, consists of four farmer/growers, two handlers/processors, one retailer, one scientist, three consumer/public interest advocates, three environmentalists, and one USDA-accredited certifying agent. These volunteers assist the Secretary of Agriculture with the overall implementation of the National Organic Program (NOP).

NOSB conducts an extensive review of materials that are petitioned for inclusion in organic, solicits public comment, and makes a recommendation to NOP as to whether a material should be allowed. The NOP implements NOSB’s recommendation.

This process ensures that materials are not haphazardly permitted for use in organic production. It also reinforces the principles of transparency and integrity around which the organic system was built, and in which consumers can trust.

Organic Consumers Association has a good e-mail list to get on in regards to organic standards and related issues.

Thank you for all the work you've been doing.

Its a shame we can't stop the system, the chemical spraying, the slavery.

I can't do anything but lay here and hope to die before my rent expires.

A cop drew his taser on me for skateboarding downtown today.

Tell the police auditor office. You can remain anonymous when you talk to them. The best person to deal with at that office is probably the deputy police auditor. If the EW were more useful they might do a article describing the complaint process and how it can be handled anonymously.

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