Tuesday April 15, 2008, 11:35 am
This is becoming a huge problem in this country, I have personally seen gross and fraudulent misuse of the USDA Logo on products. In addition to marketing claims such as "certified organic," wild-crafted and the like with nothing to back it up. I supply all natural ingredients to manufactures making functional foods and beverages, cosmetics,personal care products, pet products and complementary alternative medicines. I can tell you first hand that it cost's a small to medium size business approximately $7,000.00-$10,000.00 to get a real NOP Certificate which enables you to use and manufacture under USDA guidelines and legitimately call your products certified organic.

I advise my own clients to ask for the manufacturers NOP certificate this will prove or disprove use of the USDA logo.

Tuesday April 15, 2008, 12:29 pm
Thank you Rachel for your comment! I am aware of how unfair it is to small businesses trying to create quality products for the organic industry. Even a local hydroponic farmer that I buy from cannot afford to get certified. What a shame that the true organic small businesses cannot be certified and make a profitable living supporting the sale and use of organic food and products... :( Thank you for being a supplier of all natural ingredients! *Slainte! to you! :)