In Australia, organic contamination or old information? Recent
report reveals pesticide contamination found in
organic products; Organic sector argues claims
based on old information
November
3, 2003, TheAge.com/organic-research.com:
Australian officials found products being sold as
organic, many times under the “certified organic”
label, contained pesticide residues equal to those
of conventionally grown foods, according to a recent
report put out by the Food Standards Australia.
The tests were conducted by health department officials.
Queensland Health examined 96 organic products both
imported and locally made. Pesticide residue, some
for pesticides banned in all food, was found in
15 percent of the products tested, of which 78 percent
had been "certified organic".
Andy Monk, chief executive of Biological Farmers
of Australia, which runs the largest Certified Organic
program said the Queensland report was based on
testing done two years ago, and a more recent Victorian
survey had given an almost clean bill of health
to the industry.
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