USDA promises follow-up response to OIG organic report

摘要

USDA has promised to take numerous steps to improve its National Organic Program (NOP) in response to a highly critical audit report released March 18 by the Office ofInspection General (see FCN March 22, Page 1). USDA's Agricultural Marketing Service, which oversees the NOP, says it will begin requiring spot testing of organic products for pesticide residues in September, after OIG investigators found that four leading organic certifiers didn't perform regular spot testing as required by law.