News Release
For further information contact:
HOFA
(808) 969-7789
hofa@hawaiiorganic.org
The workshops on labeling products ‘organic’ are scheduled as follows:
Tuesday, November 29th from 1:00-2:30pm at the Komohana Research and Extension Bldg
Thursday, December 1st from 1:00-2:30pm at the Kainaliu Research and Extension Building
Please register in advance. FREE and open to all retailers and farmers market vendors.
Hawaii Organic Farmers Association Announces Workshops on Labeling Products ‘Organic’
With growing concerns about health issues and wholesome organic foods, Hawaii is experiencing a large influx of imported and locally grown certified organic products in the market place. Since the enactment of the Federal Organic Rule, which has been fully implemented since October 2002, there have been many questions and concerns raised regarding the laws protecting the use of the term ‘organic’. Some of the questions that have been directed to Hawaii Organic Farmers Association (HOFA) by producers, retailers, and wholesalers of natural food products are, ‘What has to be certified organic?’ ‘When is the Small Farm Exemption applicable?’, and ‘What are the different categories of organic labeling; 100% organic vs. “made with organic ingredients”?’
The regulations governing the term organic affect retailers, wholesalers, and farmers market vendors alike. “People don’t know how to get accurate information on organic labeling to ensure that their business is in compliance. Many producers and businesses are not aware that there is a $11,000 fine per violation if labeling is not in compliance with the federal law,” commented Kelly Abbott, Educational Program Director of HOFA. The labeling requirements were established to protect the organic consumer and provide standards for processing and handling of certified organic products. Previous to the Federal Organic Rule, there were such statements on organic foods as “processed in accordance with the 1990 California Organic Foods Act”. Occasionally, but not always, the name of the third party responsible for conferring their certification could be found on the label. Up until the enactment of the Federal Organic Rule, there were no uniform requirements for certified organic products and there was no way to enforce that products labeled as organic were actually produced in accordance with prescribed standards.
With partial funding from the Hawaii Department of Agriculture, HOFA has designed a workshop to educate retailers, wholesalers, and farmers market vendors of natural/organic food products on compliance with labeling standards developed by the USDA’s National Organic Program (NOP). Two workshops, one in Hilo and one in Kona, will cover how to get certified organic, who is exempt from certification and how to properly label and display organic products. Anyone who sells or distributes products with ‘organic’ on the label such as organic produce, bulk goods, meat, prepared foods, and prepackaged groceries, may have questions about the Federal Organic Rule. This workshop will answer questions about organic labeling and help ensure that your business is in compliance. Each participant will receive a packet of valuable reference materials and worksheets for each topic covered in the workshop.
For more information please contact:
Hawaii Organic Farmers Association
PO Box 6863
Hilo, HI 96720
Phone (808) 969-7789
hofa@hawaiiorganic.org
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