CHICAGO -- While opponents to the U.S. Department of Agriculture's initial proposed rules for organics labeling were pleased with its decision to drop food that's been irradiated, genetically engineered or grown in sewage-fertilized soil from consideration, the task of getting final rules acceptable to them still lies ahead.
Even before Agriculture Secretary Dan Glickman's announcement, organics-industry representatives and supporters were tallying up the comments in their favor and getting ready for the next battles.
"The proposed regulation was unacceptable and missed the big picture," Katherine DiMatteo, executive director of the Organic Trade Association, said at a press conference at the Food Marketing Institute's convention here.
DiMatteo said the ensuing negative comments strategically put good pressure on the USDA, and pointed to "good changes [that] should be made in the next round." She also estimated, however, that the unprecedented volume of comments may slow the process toward final regulations.
One retailer said the right national certification and standards program would boost consumer confidence. "The direction the federal legislation takes will impact retailers," said Dale Kamibayashi, director of grocery purchasing for Boulder, Colo.-based Wild Oats Community Markets. A sound organics certification program would build consumer confidence, he said. The organics business is already experiencing a 25% growth compounded annually.
"Store formats, quality, selection have changed how we promote," he said. "The depth of offerings allow consumers to have choices in produce, deli meat and seafood departments. There are many organic opportunities."
Wild Oats has been actively campaigning against the USDA's first proposal. "We asked our customers to write into Washington," Kamibayashi said. "We enforce the organic integrity at all levels."