Segregation Hits the Produce Department
By George Anderson
New federal guidelines stipulate that organic and non-organic foods shall be kept separated in stores, leading some to wonder if this will give either category of products a boost up, says an Associated Press report.
The newly instituted National Organic Program prohibits the use of genetic engineering, irradiation and sewage sludge in the production and handling of products certified as organic. Stores found in violation may be slapped with fines up to $10,000.
To comply with the guidelines, the Associated Press reports that “many grocers have reorganized parts of their stores, creating barriers and posting new signs to ensure that food represented as organic isn’t contaminated with non-organic compounds.”
Moderator’s Comment: What has and will be the impact
of the National Organic Program on grocery operations and consumer spending?
For more on the USDA Organic Program, check out www.ams.usda.gov/nop/.
[George
Anderson – Moderator]