USDA National Organic Program (Agricultural Marketing Service)’s Post

The USDA National Organic Program (Agricultural Marketing Service) published a new toolkit for retailers to help shoppers understand the USDA organic label. The toolkit provides in store signage and online resources to explain why the organic label is unique and how USDA protects the integrity of the label. Research shows that consumers do not always know what the organic label means. With this new toolkit, retailers have options to share information that will increase consumer understanding of, and trust in, the USDA organic label. #AMSinAction #USDAOrganic #Organic https://lnkd.in/g8XJ5uDt 

Check out this straight-forward and informative article on how to adhere to organic compliance requirements for storage facilities and distributors. The author is spot-on in saying, “Ensuring organic compliance is about more than following rules – it’s a commitment to the ethos of organic agriculture. It is about protecting consumer trust and contributing to a food system that’s sustainable, and truly organic.”   At SOS, we are committed to helping businesses and organizations excel in organic integrity. Our favorite areas include continuous education and training for staff members on handling and processing, keeping up to date with organic regulatory changes, and communicating the value of organic certification.   What types of organic compliance issues do you struggle with? What do you enjoy? Where could you use support and/or extra resources?   Please share your thoughts and don't hesitate to get in touch with us so we can navigate organic compliance together. #OrganicIntegrity #RegulatoryReadiness   Read more here: https://lnkd.in/gxjPE2Rp

What do you do as a grower, importer ...or as a government when you find a residue of an unauthorized substance in an organic product? In this issue of The Organic Standard you will find an article I wrote together with Alexander Beck on the way the European legislation regulates responsibilities to safeguard organic quality. We will dive deeper in following issues. Other topics in this TOS 189 issue are: reflection from the Asia Pacific side on residues in organic and different viewpoints of organic vs regenerative. Sarah Compson Paul Holmbeck Ronald van Marlen

The Strengthening Organic Enforcement rulemaking updates the USDA organic regulations to strengthen oversight of the production, handling, and sale of organic products. The final rule, published in the Federal Register in 2023, was fully implemented on March 19, 2024. These updates are crucial for maintaining consumer confidence in organic products and supporting the continued growth of the organic sector. By strengthening enforcement, the USDA is helping to protect the integrity of the organic label and ensure that organic farmers and businesses can thrive. Connect with us to learn about the SOE rule's impact and how we can help! #SOEruling #organic #organicfarming #wherefoodcomesfrom

Organic sector on fire ! … »The global organic meat products market will grow from $16.67 billion in 2022 to $17.99 billion in 2023 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 7.9%. »…

The USDA Economic Research Service’s free 115-page report "U.S. Organic Production, Markets, Consumers, and Policy, 2000–21" provides an overview of how the US Organic sector has changed. At 1% of US farmland in 2019, the organic sector represented 3% of the US farm receipts. Although organic farms had higher production costs, they also had higher average total sales and higher net cash income. The report describes US organic policy initiatives since 2000 and examines the importance of investment in research on organic practices. It also investigates key components of organic supply chains—including production, certification, farm-level costs and returns, wholesale markets, and industry structure—along with the evolving characteristics of organic food consumers and retail markets. #organic #organicproducts #agriculture #farming #food #fiber #continuousimprovement https://lnkd.in/gkyNviwB

More than a label, organic certification is a guarantee of quality! The emergent popularity of organic farming reflects a broad acceptance of sustainability and environmental responsibility. In the wake of this growing movement, consumers are often bombarded by brands with endless claims about the environmental friendliness and high quality of various farm products. However, these claims should require justification beyond the mere product promotion... This is where selective consumers can rely on certificates and quality seals as instruments of verification of a product's ecological integrity. The presence of these seals on labelling guarantees that they have been rigorously audited by independent organizations, complying with the strictest international standards in the industry. These standards are supported by European Norms No. 2018/848 and No. 2021/1165, which regulate organic production and product labelling, as well as the application of inputs and substances suitable for organic production. This ensures that the ingredients are natural, the production processes are sustainable, and that no artificial additives have been used at any stage of the process. With more than 25 years of experience in organic farming, and more than a decade consolidating our position in the sector, BioTabs stands out for offering first class nutrients, guaranteed by a strict attestation of inputs, Ecocert, easily identifiable in all our range of products. We are excited to announce that our attested products are 100% organic, and we offer a guarantee of this, endorsing an ethical choice for a broad base of consumers concerned about sustainability and quality. "Go for certified options."! Thank you for continuing to choose BioTabs! We grow organic! 🌱 #biotabs #easybynature #organicfarming #organiccultivation #keepitorganic #ecocert

Did you catch Jennifer Tucker's discussion at the Organic Grower Summit on the upcoming rule change for organic certification? Jennifer, who serves as the deputy administrator of the USDA's National Organic Program, talked about the agency's efforts to address inconsistencies in the handling of organic goods across the supply chain. Learn more about the March 2024 organic certification updates in this article by Farm Progress ⤵️ https://bit.ly/3Rq8Msf