Cracking down on fraud in the organic food industry

Published February 9, 2023 at 9:07 AM EST

Produce on shelves in a grocery store — Vegetables are displayed in a produce section at a supermarket in New York, Monday, May 17, 2021. On Thursday, Jan. 19, 2023, the U.S. Agriculture Department issued new requirements for foods labeled as “organic,” a move aimed at cracking down on fraud and boosting oversight of products increasingly sought by consumers seeking healthy and environmentally sustainable options.

The United States Department of Agriculture has announced new regulations for organic products in an effort to address the growing issue of fraud in the industry.

Organic advocacy groups have long sought an update to the guidelines, but there is disagreement over the efficacy and viability over this latest revision.

Guests:

Laura Reiley, business of food reporter for The Washington Post
Mark Kastel, executive director of OrganicEye
Rachel Tayse, executive director of the Ohio Ecological Food and Farm Association

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