In response to a story in the Washington Post on May 1 by reporter Peter Whoriskey titled “Why your ‘organic’ milk may not be organic,” the Organic Trade Association issued the following statement:
Organic has earned the trust of American consumers. The organic seal represents a product grown and produced by dedicated farmers, ranchers, and processors who are complying with the highest and strictest federal standards of any food and agricultural system in the U.S. The organic sector works every day to maintain that hard–earned consumer trust. Adherence to the organic standards by organic operations, verification and enforcement of compliance by accredited certification agents, and oversight of the certifying agents by the U.S. Department of Agriculture are critical to the integrity and success of the organic sector.