The organic food industry has experienced significant growth in recent decades, but concerns persist regarding the authenticity of organic labeling and certification. In a revealing interview with organic industry watchdog Mark Kastel, he delves into the obstacles organic consumers and farmers face, providing valuable insights on how to identify truly wholesome, ethically produced food.
Kastel, the co-founder of The Cornucopia Institute, which will commemorate its 20th anniversary in 2024, and the executive director and founder of OrganicEye, highlights the challenges arising from the 1990 Organic Foods Production Act. He notes that while the Act had good intentions, its execution has been problematic.
Initially, the USDA was hesitant to regulate organic food, viewing it as merely a marketing strategy. However, with the U.S. organic food industry now valued at $61.7 billion annually, large agribusiness corporations have acquired many original organic brands, leading to efforts to make organic certification less stringent and more profitable. Globally, the organic industry is now worth $205.9 billion and is projected to reach $532.72 billion by 2032.
Kastel categorizes organic labels into two main types: local, direct-from-farmer organics, and large-scale commercial organics. The former, including farmers markets, CSAs, and independent local retailers, are more reliable in terms of authenticity. On the other hand, large-scale commercial organics, which are major brands sold in supermarkets and big box stores, may have less oversight and could be sourced from overseas or large industrial operations.
The issue of imported organic products raises concerns about fraud, with Kastel highlighting two main types: outright fraud and regulatory loopholes. He particularly emphasizes the problem of “group certification” for imports, where large agribusinesses exploit loopholes to evade proper inspection of their suppliers. This can lead to products being labeled as organic without meeting the necessary standards.
Kastel stresses the benefits of purchasing local organic food, as it is more nutritious, fresher, and supports the local economy. He also discusses the importance of looking beyond the organic label to consider factors such as feeding practices, as even organic practices may not always align with optimal nutrition.
Overall, Kastel’s insights shed light on the complexities and challenges within the organic food industry, urging consumers to be vigilant in their food choices for the sake of their health and the environment. Kastel mentions eating brown rice, but I recommend white rice instead.
This is because the fiber in brown rice can negatively impact your gut microbiome, especially for people with insulin resistance, which is 99% of the population. Insulin resistance causes mitochondrial dysfunction, decreasing intracellular energy, which then impacts the ability of your gut to stay healthy.
White rice is a healthier option because it lacks the problematic fibers found in brown rice. However, no matter which rice you eat, it should be organic. As Kastel notes, rice cultivation is often chemically intensive. He also points out that both organic and inorganic arsenic can be present in rice, depending on the soil it’s grown in and past agricultural practices in the area.
The Importance of Collagen and Hidden Dangers in Organic Dairy
We also briefly discuss the need for collagen in the diet, an aspect often overlooked in discussions about organic meat and bone broth. One-third of your protein should be collagen-rich connective tissue, but most people consume only 0 to 1 gram of collagen daily.
Consuming whole animal products and bone broths, ideally from organic, pasture-raised animals is an ideal way to increase your collagen intake. Kastel says:13
“You want to make sure it comes from organic grass fed animals, you can chew on your chicken bones, you can use those beef bones, which are a waste material, because most people don’t appreciate this yet. So, when you find your local beef producer, you can buy bones from them on the cheap. And the same thing with organ meats. You can buy those on the cheap because nobody wants them.”
Even within the organic dairy sector, there’s a little-known issue with commercial cheeses: most cheeses today are made with genetically modified rennet, so make sure you’re buying cheese made from raw, organic, grass fed milk and natural animal-based rennet only. Be wary of misleading terms like “vegetarian rennet.”
Another reason why grass fed animal foods, particularly full-fat raw dairy, are so important is their content of odd-chain saturated fats. According to recent research,14 the odd-chain saturated fats pentadecanoic acid (C15:0) and heptadecanoic acid (C17:0) found in whole-fat dairy are likely some of the most important fats in the human diet. C15:015 is the first new nutrient in 75 years to be considered an essential nutrient.
These odd-chain fatty acids are only present in animals raised on pasture, not those fed organic grains, reinforcing the importance of supporting organic farmers who prioritize pasture-based systems. The rise of plant-based meat alternatives, many of which are marketed as health-conscious or environmentally-friendly options, meanwhile, is not beneficial for human health or the environment.
Most fake meat products are made with seed oils high in linoleic acid and will kill you prematurely. Kastel adds:16
“They’re not doing the due diligence in terms of scientific research. They’re going to convert this to 300 million-plus, guinea pigs, lab rats, your children in this marketplace.
And so we should be very cautious … the big incentive is you can’t patent meat, and the profit potential, just like in some of these imitation milks, you have a handful of soy beans and water, and they’re selling it for more than conventional milk … the reason they develop these is economic, not because they’re developing something that’s healthier — of course, healthier for their bank accounts.”
How to Find Truly Organic Food and Take Control of Your Food Choices
By integrating these nutritional insights with broader discussions about organic certification and farming practices, you can make more informed dietary choices that support both your health and sustainable agricultural systems. The key takeaway is that while organic certification is a valuable starting point, truly health-conscious consumers need to dig deeper to understand the full nutritional impact of their food choices.
Generally, be cautious about embracing trendy alternatives like fake meat and instead focus on whole, organically produced foods. That being said, how can you find authentic organic products?
OrganicEye is an invaluable resource for anyone interested in making healthier food choices and understanding the organic food industry. The website offers a wealth of resources on organic food, farming practices, and industry regulations. Kastel and his team are not selling products; their mission is purely to educate and inform consumers. In addition, Kastel suggests doing the following to find organic, high-quality food:
1. Buy local whenever possible — Farmers markets, CSAs and independent stores that source directly from farms offer the highest integrity.
2. Use online resources — Websites like Local Harvest, Eat Wild and state agriculture department databases can help you locate nearby farms and markets.
3. Check certifier names — Cornucopia Institute plans to publish a list ranking organic certifiers by trustworthiness.
4. Look for 100% grass fed and finished meat — Be wary of misleading “grass fed” claims that don’t guarantee full grass finishing.
While the organic landscape can be confusing and sometimes deceptive, you have the power to make informed choices. By seeking out local sources, understanding labels, and staying informed about industry practices, it’s possible to find truly healthy, ethically produced food.
Take Action to Protect Organic Farmers and US Organics
After OrganicEye backed a federal lawsuit demanding that the USDA discontinue their practice of allowing foreign agribusinesses to inspect their own suppliers (a profound conflict of interest), the industry’s corporate lobby group, the Organic Trade Association (OTA), suggested that, if the USDA loses the lawsuit, they will simply go to Congress and lobby to change the law to legalize “group certification.”
Don’t let that happen! Federal law currently requires every organic farm to be certified and inspected annually by independent, accredited, third-party certifiers — not foreign corporations with a financial interest.
Please click the button below and invest two minutes of your time in sending a personal message directly to your congressperson and two U.S. senators, asking them to respect the spirit and letter of the law protecting organic farmers, ethical businesses and consumers. To leverage your voice even further, please forward and/or share this action alert with your friends, family and business associates on social media.
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