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If you thought you could avoid the ills of food industrialization by eating only certified organic food, think again. A new report by the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) last week revealed that some products labeled "organic" may not meet organic criteria. The USDA's National Organic Program announced on August 5th that 15 of the 30 Accredited Certifying Agencies with whom they contract failed USDA organic audits. If the certifiers do not meet the standards within one year, they will lose their accreditation. Among the agencies in question is the French company Ecocert, which certified as organic Chinese-imported ginger containing more of the pesticide Aldicarb than is legal in even conventionally-produced ginger. Because China doesn't permit foreigners to inspect its farms, certifying Chinese produce requires working with Chinese sub-contractors. Part of the problem is that Congress has not appropriated enough funding for enforcement of organic standards for foreign imports, or even in-person inspections of domestic farms. Hence the USDA relies on the certifying agencies, half of whom are now in question.
Listen: http://ia311319.us.archive.org/3/items/DailyDigest-081408/2008_08_14_cummins.mp3
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Pacifica Radio Interviews Ronnie Cummins: How Organic is Organic?
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Uprising Radio, August 14, 2008
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