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Organic labeling: problems & solutions - Coggle Diagram
Organic labeling: problems & solutions
defining limits of organic labeling process
politics involved
creates barriers for food producers
barriers push producers to exploit the industry by coming up with deceptive/misleading labeling
who is involved in these food labeling politics and what are their motives for their actions
licensing process creates barrier for producers interested in market. Less providers = less competition/less supply to meet the market demand, driving up prices on organic products
National Organic Standards Board, semi-annually selects synthetic substances organic producers may use
a political comittee gets to determine how much and what chemicals can go into organic foods; hence organic foods will still contain some level of chemicals
Early statutes/laws allowed both private and public institutions to ensure compliance with guidelines, but in 1990 Congress passed its own organic standards; enforcement of compliance under USDA
USDA pretty much oversees everything. They make the standards and a authorized USDA certified agent ensures compliance
To earn the organic label, producers must meet all of the qualifications of a licensing agent, qualifications that require a lot of expertise and resources($$)
small producers face difficulties in providing proof that they meet all of the qualifications, even if they are
root problem of labeling "organic" food
take advantage of consumers who are looking to be more health conscious
consumers pay more for this "premium"
is there even a health benefit to organic products? Is it placebo?
we are to trust in our institutions to do the right thing
our institutions somewhat guarantee to make it easier when selecting foods rather than having to educate oneself
institutional pressure to codify/standardize industry that have benefits more towards the companies rather than the consumers
Debate on what is meant by synthetic?
National Organic Standards Board, semi-annually selects synthetic substances organic producers may use ; controversial
political committee selects quantity and what chemicals can be used while producing "organic" products; hence, organic products will still contain some chemicals in them, essentially breaking the guarantee of chemical-less products
USDA's total control on the compliance aspects of organic labeling
USDA's controversial list of allowed substances NOSB
USDA known to allowing foreign provided "organic" food, that is either questionably labeled or even fraudulently labeled organic.
regulations that block competition, employ misleading advertising, and locating weak points of compliance standards.
Manipulation of regulations
hurdles that producers have to go through to meet organic "qualifications". Requires a lot of money, even if the producer does have organic grade products.
the process on defining "organic"
Is current labeling process protecting consumers against fraud/adultered product?
consumers looking to be more health conscious
weaknesses in the current labeling process
political committee selects quantity and what chemicals can be used while producing "organic" products; hence, organic products will still contain some chemicals in them, essentially breaking the guarantee of chemical-less products
There will be products that are produced with pesticides and chemicals that are labeled as organic
similarly worded products such as "natural" and "authentic" may deceive consumers into thinking that it means organic.
If some sort of harm, say a recall for an item due to harmful pesticides or additive, the consumers that bought these products may be legally unprotected.
best remedy to improve consumer protection
possible remedies:
increase gov. resources to meet licensing demands
allow private corportations/watchdog groups to label products
seek civil damages though court
USDA/government is under-financed and understaffed. Only 82 certified inspection firms to monitor 31,000 farms. This diminished man-power leads to cover-ups and cutting corners. Therefore, supplying this department with more resources may be very beneficial.
Breaking the monopoly that the USDA has on the industry. Allowing private corporations and watchdog groups to label products would allow these organizations to ease the burden of having all of the tough decisions to be made by one organizaiton, in this case, the USDA. It would also create a space where each private corporation "audits" the others, in a way, keeping them in check. I assume that is what a watchdog group would do.
Some lower courts are legally prohibited from making decisions based on labeling. This leads cases to go to a higher court where all cases are looked at under the federal standards in which the law may be applied in a specific way to get the the responsible party for damages, an easy break.
reduce risk of inaccurate labeling pose to customers
what is meant by the organic food label?
food is produced w/o exposure to pesticides/additives
organic labeling goal: to make it easier for consumers today to reduce confusion in evaluating the healthfulness of foods by eliminating exposure to pesticides and additives