OT: More Organic Food Deception by Wal-Mart

[Guest guest]

I thought this would be of interest since many listers buy organic

produce.

Sheila

From http://v.mercola.com/blogs/public_blog/More-Deception-by-Wal-

Mart-With-Organic-Foods-15099.aspx

" More Organic Food Deception by Wal-Mart

Wisconsin consumer fraud investigators have released the findings of

a three-month investigation into Wal-Mart's alleged practice of

misidentifying conventional food items as organic.

The investigation, run by the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture,

Trade and Consumer Protection, found many instances of conventional

food products improperly labeled as organic, in violation of

Wisconsin state statutes.

Wisconsin regulators sent only a formal warning to the retail giant,

and said that they had reached an agreement with the company under

which steps would be taken to prevent future misrepresentations.

Wisconsin officials said that they would continue their surveillance

of Wal-Mart stores.

The Cornucopia Institute, an organization dedicated to preserving

organic standards, has a photo gallery on its Web page showing

conventional food products that were priced and labeled as organic

foods in Wal-Mart stores.

Dr. Mercola's Comment:

I warned readers a few months ago how Wal-Mart promotes a

substandard and distorted image of organic foods. Obviously,

consumer fraud investigators in Wisconsin agree. Among the products

Wal-Mart deceptively labeled as organic were Silk Soy Milk, Florida

Crystals Natural Sugar, and various produce items.

This isn't the first report about Wal-Mart blurring the line between

conventional and organics for the sake of profits either. The USDA

has identified numerous incidents of fraudulent labeling in five

states, including Minnesota and Texas.

Unfortunately, Wisconsin regulators merely slapped Wal-Mart's

wrists. And, while the USDA has been well aware of the problems

experienced in Wisconsin since November, they have yet to issue any

rulings.

Wal-Mart has a major history of abusive practices, as has been

brilliantly documented in the movie Wal-Mart: The High Cost of Low

Price. Wal-Mart's entry into the organic food market will increase

the substitution of inferior, factory-farmed products for true

organic food. This will be especially true if they start outsourcing

food from China, where organic enforcement standards are close to

non-existent.

Last year, Wal-Mart pledged they will become the major retailer of

organic foods. With tactics like these and lax oversight, that may

become a reality sooner than later -- although more accurately, they

will be the major retailer of " organic " foods.

As always, the best choice for your health is to seek out locally

grown, healthier, and safer sources for your foods. "