Organic Trade Association fraud fighting program draws robust interest

A ground-breaking fraud prevention program is drawing strong response from organic businesses as the organic sector readies for the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s upcoming new rules to strengthen oversight of organic imports and the organic supply chain.

Forty organic businesses are currently enrolled in the trade association’s Organic Fraud Prevention Solutions program, with another 125 companies beginning the process of enrollment. Companies receive an Organic Fraud Prevention Guide, laying out a risk-based approach for implementing a written Organic Fraud Prevention Plan—a requirement of the proposed SOE Rule.

USDA’s Strengthening Organic Enforcement (SOE) Final Rule is slated for Spring 2022. This rule—the largest piece of rulemaking since implementation of the National Organic Program—will have a game-changing impact on improving oversight of organic systems and reducing the chance of organic fraud.

Pipeline Foods and Naturepedic Organic Mattresses are companies that have completed the process.

One component of the program is an online training course showing how to carry out an organic fraud vulnerability assessment, and how to implement an effective fraud prevention plan. The Michigan State University Food Fraud Initiative was instrumental in developing the course.

Certifiers are endorsing Organic Fraud Prevention Solutions by signing on as Supporting Partners to the program. Four certifiers have completed the program trainings and outlined commitments to promote Organic Fraud Prevention Solutions enrollment to their clients and network—including Quality Assurance International and Oregon Tilth.

Source: Organic Trade Association

To view source article, visit:

https://ota.com/news/press-releases/21790

Organic & Non-GMO Insights August 2021