For many students at the University, buying organic food is second nature. Instead of shopping at a generic grocery store, they head to the local farmers market. And instead of buying a random assortment of food, they focus on one type: organic.
But the labeling of chicken products is in jeopardy after federal lawmakers passed a bill stating the quality of organic poultry no longer needs to meet strict requirements.
On Feb. 20, President Bush approved the Omnibus Appropriations Act, which included a small provision allowing poultry products to be labeled “organic” even if they did not meet the United States Department of Agriculture criteria. The USDA and the National Organic Standards Board later opposed the stipulation.
In response, Sen. Gordon Smith, R-Ore., and Sen. Patrick Leahy, D-Vt., introduced a bill on Feb. 26 that would reverse the controversial provision.
Smith said in a statement that it is unfair to deceive consumers about poultry products they purchase.
“Consumer confidence in organic standards and products will be lost if we don’t reverse this law,” Smith said in the release. “This bill will help build and protect the integrity of the nascent and promising organic industry.”
Caroline Mullen, Smith’s spokesperson, added that Smith feels truth should be preserved in labeling organic food.
“It’s wrong to label something organic if it’s not,” Mullen said.
The organic industry is the fastest growing segment of American agriculture, with over $10 billion in sales annually.
Many University students who eat organic food agreed with Smith and are supporting the new bill to reverse the provision.
Freshman John Sweeney, who lives in the residence halls, said he regrets not having the same access to organic food he had before coming to the University.
“I go to the store as much as possible,” he said, adding that he prefers to spend more money than always eat the food available to those who live in the residence halls.
Katherine Drummond, a junior at the University, said she prefers buying organic foods and is happy that Smith is supporting organic foods.
“I can taste the difference between organic and non-organic milk,” she said, adding it was terrible for the Bush administration to pass a bill allowing farms to avoid strict USDA guidelines while still being certified as organic farms.
“That disgusts me,” Drummond said.