Nearly 500 potential violations of organic regulations are under investigation by the National Organic Program.
That is one highlight of the National Organic Program’s just-published, first-quarter enforcement dashboard for the fiscal year 2022.
The dashboard provides an at-a-glance update on the program’s enforcement activities for the 12 months ending March 31, according to USDA.
The National Organic Program enforcement update indicated that 470 cases were in progress as of March 31, with 55% of those cases related to uncertified operations making organic claims.
The USDA said 19% of the cases under investigation were classified as organic fraud and 10% of cases were related to pesticide residues. Others cases were related to labeling errors (9%), prohibited practices (6%) and use of a prohibited substance (2%). Only 1% of cases were referred for criminal investigation.
The USDA said there were 297 closed enforcement cases for the year ending March 31. The USDA said 65% of those cases resulted in voluntary compliance; 16% resulted in no violation; 1% saw a fraudulent certificate posted; 11% were referred for criminal investigation; 5% resulted in a settlement, civil penalty or appeal; and 1% resulted in administrative action.
