- WASHINGTON (Reuters) - New
organic food labels regulated by the U.S. Agriculture Department made their
debut on Monday, enabling household names like Kraft Foods Inc to tell
consumers which products are free of pesticides and genetically modified
crops.
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- Food makers ranging from giant corporations like General
Mills Inc to independent firms such as Annie's Naturals and Honest Tea
can now market their organic products under a federally approved USDA seal.
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- "Today, when consumers see the USDA national organic
seal on products, they will know that the products labeled organic will
be consistent across the country," Agriculture Secretary Ann Veneman
said in a statement.
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- To carry the new USDA seal, organic products cannot include
pesticides or genetically modified ingredients, or be irradiated to kill
bacteria and lengthen shelf life. Meats sold as organic cannot be produced
from animals that receive antibiotics.
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- Before these labels were issued, the term "organic"
was defined under a hodgepodge of state, regional and private certifier
standards, creating confusion about its meaning.
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- The circular, USDA organic sticker is similar to the
"USDA Prime" shield on beef or the grade labels on egg cartons.
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- CONFLICTING VIEWS ON ORGANIC
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- The USDA said the new labels were a marketing tool and
not a statement about food safety, nutrition or quality.
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- However, organic producers and grocers were advertising
their products as a better alternative.
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- "Like using a seat belt or bicycle helmet, choosing
organic products is a simple way to reduce exposure to the potential for
harm caused by the use of toxic and persistent pesticides and fertilizers,"
said Katherine DiMatteo, executive director of the Organic Trade Association.
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- Margaret Wittenberg, vice president for Whole Foods Market
Inc., said organic products were an alternative for consumers seeking to
"protect the wellness of the environment, their families and themselves."
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- U.S. consumers will find three types of organic labels
in grocery stores.
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- Products that are entirely organic will have a "100
percent organic" USDA label. Those with at least 95 percent organic
ingredients can have a USDA "organic" stamp.
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- Foods with at least 70 percent organic ingredients cannot
use the USDA seal, but their labels can say "made with organic ingredients."
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- The organic industry is the fastest growing U.S. agriculture
sector, increasing at about 20 percent annually.
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- Sales of organic foods are expected to reach $11 billion
in 2003, more than double the amount five years ago, according to the Organic
Trade Association.
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- The USDA said more than 6,900 farmers were certified
organic last year.
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- To pay for the additional costs of growing and manufacturing
these foods, consumers usually have to pay a hefty premium, ranging from
10 percent to 50 percent above conventional foods.
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- Violators of the USDA's labeling program could be fined
up to $10,000.
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- Some overseas competitors say the new USDA labels may
shut them out of the lucrative U.S. organic market.
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- The Danish Dairy Board said on Monday its organic exports
were at serious risk as many small farms could not meet stringent U.S.
regulations.
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- "I think Danish exports of organic dairy products
to the U.S. are going to disappear, at least for now," said Anne-Mette
Arve, head of the Danish Dairy Board's Economic and Political Department.
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