Is Your Organic Food Really Organic?
Thu 7 Aug 2008 9:59am
By Jill Richardson, AlterNet. Aug 7, 2008. - Half of federally accredited organic certifiers recently audited were put on probation after foods were found with unacceptable pesticide levels.
"... the USDA just announced Monday it was putting 15 out of 30 federally accredited organic certifiers they audited on probation, allowing them 12 months to make corrections or lose their accreditation. At the heart of the audit for several certifiers were imported foods and ingredients from other countries, including China."
"Chinese imports have had a bad year in the news, making headlines for contaminated pet food, toxic toys, and recently, certified organic ginger contaminated with levels of a pesticide called aldicarb that can cause nausea, headaches and blurred vision even at low levels. The ginger, sold under the 365 label at Whole Foods Market, contained a level of aldicarb not even permissible for conventional ginger, let alone organics. Whole Foods immediately pulled the product from its shelves."
http://www.alternet.org/environment/94146/