This week's dose of organic headlines, updates, resources, goodies, and recipes courtesy of Doug Snodgrass...

Leading organic watchdog the Cornucopia Institute has registered a formal complaint with the USDA against retail behemoth Target for falsely representing Silk brand soymilk as organic in newspaper advertisements. The allegation states the following (pdf):

Specifically, Target Corporation advertised Silk soymilk in newspapers with the term "organic" pictured on the carton’s label, when in fact the product’s manufacturer, Dean Foods’ WhiteWave division, has been sourcing this product line with conventional soybeans. The newspaper ads potentially reached millions of consumers in the Midwest, and possibly nationwide, with the false representation.

This is not the first time Target has been accused of organic mislabeling.

They were named in a 2007 class-action suit for selling conventional milk in Archer Farms cartons which bore the seal of organic certification. That lawsuit is currently pending and both Target and Aurora, who were the producers of the Archer Farms milk, dispute this allegation. In the area of Target's recent newspaper ads, it appears that officials at Cornucopia are choosing a relatively non-cynical approach when it comes todiscussing intent..

"Either this was a willful attempt to deceive customers and defraud them or more likely incompetence and lack of oversight by management," said Mark Kastel, an analyst for the Wisconsin-based Cornucopia Institute. "I would guess this was done in error. It is hard to believe that people at this company were stupid enough to think they could get away with this." [...] Kastel said Target's actions amount to creating an "organic light" product in the marketplace. "Major food processors have recognized the meteoric rise of the organic industry — and profit potential," he said. Joan Shaffer, a spokeswoman for the USDA's National Organic Program in Washington, D.C., said the Cornucopia Institute's complaint will be reviewed to determine what the next step should be. "If it warrants an investigation, we will do an investigation," she said. Target could be fined for a "willful violation" of organic certification regulations, Shaffer said. In the past year, the USDA's organic program has received 160 complaints alleging bogus organic products, she said.

Whether through incompetence or perceived opportunity, there is no shortage of opportunity for consumer confusion when it comes to organic marketing.

In other organic items...

$400,000 boost for organic food producers

The Victorian Government will bolster its support for the state's organic food industry with a new funding program.

Announcing the grants package during National Organics Week, Regional and Rural Development Minister Jacinta Allan said Victoria was the biggest producer of organic milk and is the nation’s leading organic food processor.

The Brumby Labor Government’s $400,000 Support for Organics Grant Program will continue to foster Victoria’s nation-leading approach to production, consumption and export of Victoria’s organic products,” she said.

“It will also help secure jobs and enhance lifestyles for organic farmers and producers, particularly in regional and rural Victoria.”

Useful advice from CNN, which proves the adage that even a blind squirrel finds nuts. In the article, 10 ways to detoxify your life, a couple of items that stand out...

7. Check the ingredients

When choosing body lotions, try to avoid parabens. Some studies suggest that high doses of these synthetic preservatives can disrupt the functioning of the endocrine system.

"They're more of a concern in body products because of the amount of surface area involved," says dermatologist Macrene Alexiades. Two paraben-free lines: Ecotools and Origins Organics.

8. Go organic

A good rule of thumb when buying produce: If you are going to eat the skin, choose organic. If not, opt for locally grown ingredients that are in season, says Jeffrey Morrison. When you do buy non-organic fruits and vegetables, you could scrub them with a natural cleanser like Veggie Wash, a mix of citrus, corn and coconut--to lower pesticide residue and clean off bacteria.

This week in the world of organic boozehounds:

God bless ya boozehounds, now sober up long enough to read this recipe.

Purple Basil Gimlet

2 ounces organic gin

1/2 ounce freshly squeezed organic lime juice

1/2 ounce organic agave nectar

5 organic purple basil leaves

Combine the gin, lime juice, agave nectar and 4 of the basil leaves (reserve the smallest one for garnish) in an ice cube-filled cocktail shaker. Shake vigorously, then strain the mixture into a chilled martini glass. Float the remaining basil leaf on top of the drink.

Serves 1.

Source: Organic, Shaken and Stirred: Hip Highballs, Modern Martinis, and Other Totally Green Cocktails by Paul Abercrombie (Harvard Common Press, 2009)

Related Reading:

Cheetos Vs. Carrots: (Not) Fighting to Feed Kids Healthy Food
So Why Are Organics Important?

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