Laboratory analysis has always been a part of organic certification in the U.S. Sampling and testing for prohibited substances serves as a deterrent to fraud and can offer powerful evidence that stands up to appeal. However, certifiers have not always been consistent in applying this tool.
With advances in technology, pesticide residues can be detected at limits of quantification in the parts per billion. Now, with the Strengthening Organic Enforcement (SOE) amendments to the National Organic Program standard, the organic community has a renewed interest in developing data and deploying tools that will more cost-effectively detect and deter fraud.
Certifiers are asked to balance testing costs and the need for a robust program that protects organic integrity. Both goals should ideally be achieved without penalizing producers and handlers whose product is contaminated by unavoidable environmental residues. ORG-Tracker
is offered as a tool for certifiers to assist their testing program.
Join hosts Chuck Benbrook and Brian Baker for the August 27 Lunch and Learn; a roundtable for certification personnel to share their experiences with sampling, laboratory selection, and investigations where pesticides and other prohibited substances are found in organic food, or in crops and soil on organic or transitioning farms.
Possible questions for discussion include:
1) What factors are used to select operations and products for sampling?
2) How are certifiers currently managing the data collected from the results?
3) What procedures are used to investigate positive samples as evidence of fraud?
4) How is Unavoidable Residual Environmental Contamination (UREC) addressed?
Registration is required to attend. Click here to register today!