The Organic Trade Association is fighting back against food fraud as the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) prepares to strengthen its oversight of imports through the organic supply chain.

More than 150 organic businesses are enrolled, or in the process of enrolling, in OTA’s Organic Fraud Prevention Solutions program as they get ready for USDA’s new rule.

USDA’s Strengthening Organic Enforcement (SOE) Final Rule is scheduled for Spring 2022. This action, the largest single piece of rulemaking since the implementation of the National Organic Program, will have a game-changing impact on improving oversight of organic systems and reducing the chance of organic fraud.

Gwendolyn Wyard, Vice President of Regulatory and Technical Affairs for the Organic Trade Association says: “The organic sector is committed to maintaining the integrity of organic, and we are glad to see companies taking advantage of the valuable tool we’ve developed to help them battle against fraud.

“Our program can get companies ready to comply with the USDA’s new rule once it is finalized and to safeguard the integrity of the USDA Organic seal on their products.”