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| Announcement | December 9, 2011 | |
Greetings!
Accredited certifying agents and other organizations have reported the circulation of five fraudulent organic certificates produced by uncertified operations. These certificates falsely represent agricultural products as certified organic under the NOP regulations, violating the Organic Foods Production Act of 1990.
The vigilance of the organic community is a vital force in ensuring organic integrity. Organic handlers should continue to review certificates carefully, validate with their certifying agents where needed, and send any suspicious certificates to the NOP Compliance and Enforcement team.
Any use of these certificates or other fraudulent documents to market, label, or sell non-organic agricultural products as organic can result in a civil penalty of up to $11,000 per violation. Persons with information regarding the production or use of this or other fraudulent NOP certificates are asked to send information to the NOP Compliance & Enforcement Division. (Note: Soon the NOP website will include a listing of all fraudulent certificates identified to date under the Enforcement Actions page. We will continue to update information as we receive it.) |
| Fraudulent Organic Certificates | |
The first certificate contains the following identifying information:
- Operation name and location: Kalerie Berries LLC; 1 Lazareva Blvd, Kostomuksha; Republic of Kalerie, 186930; Russian Federation
- Certificate number: 327
- Products listed as certified: Blueberries, Lingonberries, Cranberries, Gooseberries, Redcurrants, Aronia
- USDA accredited certifying agent and location: CERES; Zimmern, Germany (Note: CERES brought the fraudulent certificate to the attention of the NOP and is NOT responsible for its production).
- Certificate issue location and date: Happurg, 30.08.10
The second certificate contains the following identifying information:
- Operation name and location: Shenzen Fuyakang Biology and Technology Co., Ltd; Room 1307 Jiniuanshidal Bulding; Heping Road, Longhua Bao'an District, Shenshen, China
- Certificate number: 2672CNOB800SZ3(US)
- Products listed as certified: Organic Green Coffee, Organic Tea, Organic Hot Chocolate
- USDA accredited certifying agent and location: ECOCERT; L'Isle-Jourdain, France (Note: ECOCERT brought the fraudulent certificate to the attention of the NOP and is NOT responsible for its production).
- Certificate issue location and date: 2010-2-28
The third certificate contains the following identifying information:
- Operation name and location: Netania Commercial; Kilometro 13� Ortega, Espaillat, Republica Dominica
- Certificate number: NETAN-NOP-10964/12.08/15250-DO
- Products listed as certified: Bell Pepper, Tomato
- USDA accredited certifying agent and location: BCS; Nurnberg, Germany (Netania Commercial was previously certified organic by BCS for avacados only. Netania's certification with BCS ended in January 2011. BCS brought the fraudulent certificate to the attention of the NOP and is NOT responsible for its production).
- Certificate issue location and date: Nurnberg, 21.11.2010
The fourth certificate contains the following identifying information:
- Operation name and location: Mujezat Al Shifa Foodstuff Co. W.L.L.; P.O. Box 1979, Salmiya 22020 Kuwait
- Certificate number: OC-19ME2344
- Products listed as certified: Multiple products, including honey, seeds, teas, and spices (access full list on NOP website)
- USDA accredited certifying agent and location: Fraudulent certificate is marked with an Organic Food Federation logo
- Certificate issue location and date: September 11, 2008
The fifth certificate contains the following identifying information:
- Operation name and location: Xuzhou Kanata Foodstuff Co., Ltd.; Room B401, Tai Feng Building, Yellow River Garden, Jiahe Street, Xuzhou City, Jiangsu Province, China
- Certificate number: 38743-03
- Products listed as certified: Green Sword Beans, Autumn Broccoli, Burdock, Garlic, Onion, Pumpkin, Green Soybeans, Sweet Potato, Carrot, Potato, Ginger, Chili, Green Pepper
- USDA accredited certifying agent and location: Fraudulent certificate is marked with an Organic Crop Improvement Association International, Inc. (OCIA) logo (OCIO brought the fraudulent certificate to the attention of the NOP and is NOT responsible for its production)
- Certificate issue location and date: China, October 18, 2011
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| About Compliance and Enforcement | | |
The Compliance & Enforcement Division of the National Organic Program ensures global compliance with the Organic Foods Production Act and the USDA organic regulations. The division processes and investigates complaints alleging violations and also conducts proactive compliance and outreach activities. Its overarching function is to enforce USDA organic standards for agricultural production, handling, and labeling. Learn more.
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| About the National Organic Program (NOP) | | |
The NOP facilitates trade and ensures integrity of organic agricultural products by consistently implementing organic standards and enforcing compliance with the regulations throughout the world. Learn more.
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| About the NOP Organic Insider | | |
The NOP Organic Insider is intended to inform the organic community on a wide range of NOP functions, including organic standards, accreditation and international activities, compliance and enforcement, the National Organic Standards Board, training events, and the Cost Share program.
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