Organic Or Not

Hat tip to <a href="http://www.sfolife.net/?p=2121">Randy</a> for this one.<br />n<br />n<a href="http://retail.seekingalpha.com/article/20688" >Wal-Mart's Organic Food Initiative: A Case of Hippie Capitalism Gone Awry?</a><br />n<br />n<blockquote>Wal-Mart (WMT) has run afoul for potentially misrepresenting non-organic food as organic. Much skepticism about Wal-Mart’s true commitment to organic and whole foods greeted Wal-Mart’s original announcement that they are embracing the organic food sector. Traditionally Wal- Mart has been very demanding of its suppliers. They frequently have demanded and received substantial product changes. Such was/is their power with traditional consumer goods manufacturers. But the organic food industry has a passion that may match Wal-Mart’s purchasing behavior. In any event, there is now more doubt and skepticism about Wal-Mart’s entry into this food category.<br />n<br />nThe Cornucopia Institute based in Wisconsin leads this charge. Their announcement reads as follows:<br />n<br />n The Cornucopia Institute, the nation's most aggressive organic farming watchdog, has filed a formal legal complaint with the <acronym title="United States Department of Agriculture, Bought and Paid for by The Big Meat Packers">USDA</acronym> asking them to investigate allegations of illegal "organic" food distribution by Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. Cornucopia has documented cases of non-organic food products being sold as organic in Wal-Mart's grocery departments.</blockquote><br />n<br />nThis doesn't surprise me one bit. I wondered about their organic initiative when they announced it. I just wasn't sure there was enough organic product to fill their shelves. I was concerned that they might come up with underhanded ways of filling this niche. Looks like my concerns were justified. It will be interesting to see.<br />n<br />nBTW, I will point out that the <a href="http://www.cornucopia.org/" >Cornucopia Institute</a> is not without it's <a href="http://www.milkismilk.com/2005/03/cornucopia-institute-appears-to-be.html">detractors</a> but that doesn't completely invalidate it's complaint, just makes it a little suspect.<br />n<br />n<strong>The power to investigate is a great public trust. Emanuel Celler</strong>