According to The New York Times, at the end of March the Department of Agriculture noted that it would "Begin enforcing rules requiring the spot testing of organically grown foods for traces of pesticides, after an auditor exposed major gaps in federal oversight of the organic food industry."
Spot testing has actually been required for some time due to a 1990 law created as the basis for national organic standards, but recent reports show that regulators have never made sure that the testing required by law was being carried out.
Also from the Times:
Hopefully what this means is that consumers who are paying more for organics get what they expect. Not to mention that it's just kind of shoddy to let people use the organic label when pesticides are still in play.
Spot testing has actually been required for some time due to a 1990 law created as the basis for national organic standards, but recent reports show that regulators have never made sure that the testing required by law was being carried out.
Also from the Times:
Quote:
The testing for pesticide residues is expected to begin in September. It will be done by the network of independent certifying agents that are already accredited by the department to inspect and certify organic growers, processors and handlers... details of the pesticide inspections were still being worked out but that they would probably focus on growers whose risk of pesticide contamination might be highest, like those whose organic fields are cultivated next to nonorganic fields or those that raise both organic and conventional crops.
Hopefully what this means is that consumers who are paying more for organics get what they expect. Not to mention that it's just kind of shoddy to let people use the organic label when pesticides are still in play.
