Organic food fraud results in stricter testing
IN a move likely to be replicated in Australia, the UK Food Standards Agency (FSA) has responded to organic food fraud allegations with new, stricter testing methods for the rapidly expanding market.
The new tests, developed by the UK Government’s Central Science Laboratory, followed investigations into apparently fraudulent or unlicensed organic meat sales.
The once niche sector has grown rapidly, driven by public concerns over industrial farming and a number of food scares linked to excessive use of agrochemicals, animal drugs and genetic modification.
Any question of the credibility of organic foods, therefore, is of great concern as consumer trust is pivotal to the long term health of the sector.
14-Jun-2006