Controversy remains about the legality of DHA algal oil, which is used Horizon’s organic milk. This is an ingredient that The Cornucopia Institute has been fighting against for many years.
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Controversy remains about the legality of DHA algal oil, which is used Horizon’s organic milk. This is an ingredient that The Cornucopia Institute has been fighting against for many years.
Read ArticleThe Cornucopia Institute has just released a comprehensive report about how the allowance of hydroponics has diluted the organic seal. The organization also has come out with a hydroponics buyer’s guide, important for people who want to avoid organic hydroponic produce.
Read ArticleThe U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia has agreed to hear the Organic Trade Association’s case against the USDA over the agency’s failure to put into effect new organic livestock standards.
Read ArticleRegenerative Organic Alliance, which oversees the Regenerative Organic Certification, has named Elizabeth Whitlow as its Executive Director.
Read ArticleUSDA Secretary Sonny Perdue and his agency are pulling back rules that the organic industry wants. As a result, this could erode consumer confidence in the organic seal.
Read ArticleA federal judge said he lacked jurisdiction in the case over a change to the USDA’s Sunset Rule, which now makes it harder to remove synthetic ingredients from organic.
Read ArticleAn excellent analysis by Stephanie Strom of the emerging organic add-on labels, such as Regenerative Organic Certification and The Real Organic Project, and how they will impact both consumers and the industry.
Read ArticleWhile the OTA’s lawsuit against the USDA is still pending, the agency has officially pulled the plug on the organic animal welfare standards, demonstrating that it is completely beholden to corporate lobbyists.
Read ArticleThe USDA is proposing to change restrictions on 17 substances and is adding 16 new substances to the National List, which means that organic producers can use them in production and handling.
Read ArticleDespite complaints from the industry, there is no momentum for U.S. organic fish standards – a very good thing.
Read ArticleWith the NOSB refusing to forbid hydroponics in organic, it appears that litigation may be imminent.
Read ArticleIn its continued attempt to undermine the integrity of organic, the USDA has pushed back the implementation of the Organic Animal Welfare Standards to 2018, saying that its costs may outweigh its benefits.
Read ArticleProposed instructions on how to crack down on fraudulent organic grains from abroad may not be not strong enough to protect the integrity of organic.
Read ArticleThe USDA has told the National Organic Standards Board to make recommendations about ways to crack down on organic fraud. Meanwhile, the Cornucopia Institute has filed its own formal petition with ways to improve import scrutiny.
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As Congress prepares for the Farm Bill, Senator Pat Roberts (R-KS) told a subcommittee that “uncertainty and dysfunction have overtaken the National Organic Standards Board and the regulations associated with the National Organic Program.”
Read ArticleThe serious issue of fraudulent organic grains from abroad has gotten the attention of Senators Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.), Debbie Stabenow (D-Mich.) and Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.).
Read ArticleIn order to protect the integrity of the organic seal, Representative Chellie Pingree calls for clearer organic standards and greater enforcement.
Read ArticleThe USDA has not approved its certified transitional program because of concerns over a lawsuit from The Western Organic Dairy Producers Alliance (WODPA), who thinks the department overstepped its authority.
Read ArticleThe Washington Post gives 5 key points as to why it is so challenging to enforce organic across the global supply chain.
Read ArticleThe USDA has just announced the renewal of 187 approved ingredients on the National List of Allowed and Prohibited Substances (National List). This is just further proof that once a substance gets on this National List, it is very hard for it to be removed.
Read ArticleOrganic food companies often use a variety of third-party, animal-welfare certifications on their packaging. But what do they really mean? Stephanie Strom of The New York Times tells us.
Read ArticleImplementation of organic animal welfare standards has been pushed back two months to May 19th. This is leading to some speculation that they may be amended or canceled altogether.
Read ArticleAfter many months of delays, The White House Office of Management and Budget has signed off on the proposed organic animal welfare standards. While far from perfect, they are certainly an improvement over existing rules. Now, the standards must be published by the USDA in the Federal Register before January 20th in order to go into effect.
Read ArticleUSDA Secretary Tom Vilsack said that the proposed animal welfare standards may not get passed under the Obama administration, which puts these rules in real jeopardy.
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