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Organic Fraud Prevention Solutions

Voluntarily enroll in an organic fraud prevention program to help minimize or eliminate organic fraud.

The new Strengthening Organic Enforcement (SOE) final rule requires organic operations to include a fraud prevention plan in their Organic System Plan that describes the monitoring practices and procedures used to prevent organic fraud and verify suppliers and organic product status. All operations must comply by March 19, 2024.

Members and non-members can enroll in our Organic Fraud Prevention Solutions program for step-by-step guidance to develop and implement an organic fraud prevention plan as mandated by SOE. The program is based on the Organic Trade Association’s tested and completed Organic Fraud Prevention Guide that provides businesses engaged in organic trade with a risk-based process for developing and implementing an organic fraud prevention plan. It also includes detailed information on what to do when you suspect or detect fraud and the process for filing a complete and effective complaint to USDA’s National Organic Program.

NEWS ALERT: Organic Trade Association’s online fraud-fighting training course goes live

GET STARTED WITH 3 SIMPLE STEPS

  1. Find out if you’re eligible
  2. Register for the program
  3. Start your training online
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Executive Summary
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Participant Handbook
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Complaint Template
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Take Action to eliminate organic fraud: Enroll Now

Join this growing list of organic leaders who have successfully completed the enrollment process: Sunrise Foods, Naturepedic Organic Mattresses, Organic Valley, Whole Earth Brands, Mary Tylor Naturals, Sucro Sourcing, Ciranda, and SureSource Commodities. 

To enroll in the program, a company must be either USA-NOP certified organic, Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS) certified, or listed with a USDA recognized Material Review Organization such as OMRI (Organic Material Review Institute) or the WSDA Organic Materials Registration Program. Eligible operations include farmers, handlers, processors, distributors, traders, retailers and input manufacturers. There are also opportunities for accredited certifiers, consultants and advisors that would like to partner in the program. *Enrollment initiates the eligibility process and qualifies the company for the required training course that is offered on-line in partnership with the Food Fraud Prevention Academy.

BEGIN ENROLLMENT BY COMPLETING THE ELIGIBILITY FORM       

*If you are eligible to participate in the program, our staff will reach out directly and assist you with registration and payment, and all of the resources you need to complete the Enrollment process.

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Developing an Organic Fraud Prevention Plan MOOC Training

A required component to completing the organic fraud prevention program is a required training titled, “Developing and Implementing an Organic Fraud Prevention Plan.” The course provides detailed background and instruction on how to carry out an organic fraud vulnerability assessment and develop an effective organic fraud prevention plan. Developed in partnership with Michigan State University, the 4-hour on-line, self-paced training is offered through the Food Fraud Prevention Academy and its Massive Open Online Courses for Food Fraud (MOOC). The Food Fraud Prevention concepts are based on the research by Dr. John Spink of Michigan State, the recommendations of the Food Fraud Think Tank* as adopted by the Global Food Safety Initiative (GFSI) and the Organic Fraud Prevention Guide.

The training is available on FoodFraudMOOC.com

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Trusted Advisors can support enrollment

There are qualified Trusted Advisors ready to assist certified operations with creating organic fraud prevention plans and completing enrollment in this program. If you are already enrolled in Organic Fraud Prevention Solutions and interested in working with one of our approved Trusted Advisors, see list below:

Trusted Advisor is a category of professional who is qualified to advise and assist companies enrolled in Organic Fraud Prevention Solutions. Trusted Advisors are experts in organic compliance and VACCP (Vulnerability Assessment Critical Control Points) and can go in-depth with enrolled participants to carry out a vulnerability assessment and develop an Organic Fraud Prevention Plan. If you’re interested in obtaining this status, please submit a Trusted Advisor Application.  

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    Supporting Partners can endorse the program

    Pennsylvania Certified Organic (PCO), Quality Assurance International (QAI), California Certified Organic Farmers (CCOF), Oregon Tilth, Quality Certification Services (QCS),  Pro-Cert, OneCert, LETIS, Authent GmbH, Eurofins, NASAA Organic, Organic Insights, and OMRI (Organic Materials Review Institute) are currently Supporting Partners of this program. 

    A Supporting Partner is a stakeholder in the organic industry who is committed to organic integrity and fraud prevention, and not otherwise eligible to enroll directly in the program. Supporting partners are well versed in the Organic Fraud Prevention Solutions enrollment process, developing and evaluating Organic Fraud Prevention Plans, and are committed to promoting Organic Fraud Prevention Solutions enrollment to their clients and network. Online trainings are required for this role. 

    If you're interested in obtaining this status, please submit a Supporting Partner Application

    Frequently Asked Questions
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    What is Organic Fraud Prevention Solutions?

    Organic Fraud Prevention Solutions is a quality assurance program that organic businesses may voluntarily enroll in to help minimize or eliminate organic fraud. The program is based on buyer responsibility and supplier verification, and provides companies with a risk-based process for developing and implementing organic fraud mitigation measures. The goal of the program is to assure authenticity of organic products and maintain and grow consumer confidence in the USDA Organic seal.

    Why is it important?

    Organic fraud cannot be tolerated in the organic supply chain, inside or outside the United States. Anytime there is fraud anywhere in organic in the organic system, it takes value out of the organic label. Everyone plays a role in preventing organic fraud. It is critical that organic businesses have robust systems and measures in place that adequately support the promise of providing organic products that people can trust. Organic Fraud Prevention Solutions, as adopted by businesses engaged in organic trade, will become the industry standard reference for excellence and achieving integrity across complex organic global supply chains.

    Why should I enroll?

    To strengthen your supplier verification systems and prevent organic fraud. Organic companies that want to prevent organic fraud in their supply chain and be publicly recognized for having implemented an Organic Fraud Prevention Plan need to successfully complete the program. Leadership and commitment from organic businesses will drive adoption of the program. The more companies that join, the stronger the organic supply chain will become.

    Who can participate in the program?

    Organic Fraud Prevention Solutions is currently open for enrollment! In order to be eligible for the program, you must either be USDA certified organic, Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS) certified, or listed with a USDA recognized Material Review Organization such as OMRI (Organic Material Review Institute) or the WSDA Organic Materials Registration Program. Eligible operations include, farmers, handlers, processors, distributors, traders, retailers and input manufacturers. There are also opportunities for accredited certifiers, consultants and advisors that would like to partner in the program.

    How do I enroll?

    The most efficient method is to enroll online. If you have questions, please contact Gwendolyn Wyard, Vice President of Regulatory and Technical Affairs, at gwyard@ota.com.

    How much time and resources will it take?

    Time and resource commitment depend on the size, scope and complexity of the organic business. The program is designed to foster continuous improvement and provide each company with a reasonable entry point. Companies should expect to form a multi-disciplinary organic fraud prevention team with a designated and qualified lead to carry out a vulnerability assessment. Each company will be required first perform a prefilter or initial screening assessment followed by a more detailed assessment on high-risk ingredients or products. Quality departments are best positioned to take the lead in conducting the pre-filter and vulnerability assessment, but will be best supported by procurement, legal, and Human Resources. The program requires ongoing annual management.

    What does the enrollment process involve?

    Eligible companies who want to prevent organic fraud in their supply chain and be recognized for having implemented an organic fraud prevention plan need to successfully complete a nine-step enrollment process: 1) Registration; 2) training; 3) pre-filter and vulnerability assessment; 4) vulnerability assessment review; 5) developing and implementing organic fraud mitigation measures; 6) implementing an Organic Fraud Prevention Plan; 7) updating your existing Organic System Plan; 8) obtaining confirmation from your certifier; and 9) enrollment completion and public recognition. The process is integrated into the organic certification cycle and maintained annually.

    How much does it cost?

    Enrolling companies’ annual fees are based on a sliding organic sales income scale to reflect the market value the enrollment represents for a company. Organic Trade Association members receive a 20% discount. Program fees range from $320 - $6,000. However, 99% of members would pay between $320-$1,280. Initial pricing is competitive with other food safety quality assurance programs.

    When will trainings begin and how much do they cost?

    The training titled “Developing an Organic Fraud Prevention plan is available, open and free. However, to access the fundamental training Guide that supports the training, you must be an eligible company enrolled in Organic Fraud Prevention Solutions.

    The training can be accessed through the Food Fraud Prevention Academy on FoodFraudMOOC.com

    Why do I need another seal or certification/verification?

    The program is not a certification or verification program, and it does not involve a consumer-facing label. The program serves as a business-to-business marketing advantage designed to improve internal quality assurance programs. Companies that successfully complete and maintain annual enrollment will be publicly recognized.

    But wait, isn’t enforcement USDA’s job?

    USDA’s National Organic Program is, in fact, responsible for oversight and enforcement of the organic regulations. However, the Organic Fraud Prevention Solutions is designed to complement and reinforce USDA’s organic standards and the work of the accredited certifying agencies.

    How do I access the Organic Fraud Prevention Solutions Guide to Best Practices?

    The Organic fraud Prevention Solutions Guide forms the basis of the program and is available at no charge to companies that enroll. Please check out the Executive Summary to learn more about the Guide.

    Does OTA certify or endorse companies or products as free of organic fraud?

    No. The Organic Fraud Prevention Solutions program is intended to assist enrolled companies and partners in developing a risk-based approach to implement an organic fraud prevention plan. This program relies on participating companies to perform self-assessments using OTA’s recommended framework. OTA does not endorse or certify participating companies or products as being free of organic fraud. OTA does verify that companies have completed trainings, conducted Vulnerability Assessments, and updated their Organic System Plan to include an Organic Fraud Prevention Plan.

    Resources
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    Resources

    RESOURCES

    Download Q & A  Executive Summary Participant Handbook NOP Quarterly Enforcement Report Q1 2021
     

    Rulemaking on Strengthening Organic Enforcement

    The USDA National Organic Program published the Strengthening Organic Enforcement Proposed Rule to support the continued growth of the organic market and improve oversight at critical links in the supply chain. The proposed rule will close gaps in the current regulations to build consistent certification practices to deter and detect organic fraud, improve transparency and traceability of organic products throughout the supply chain, and protect organic integrity.

    Join our Enforcement Rulemaking Task Force     

    Enforcement is a vital part of the global organic control system. Organic enforcement activity is available for reference. 

    AlertTrade Alerts

    May 9, 2019: Black Sea Region Alert and Reporting Requirements & Updated Grain Directive

    NOP Letter to Certifiers List of Impacted Operations

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    Contact

    Adrienne Messe

    Associate Director of Events and Solutions

    (202) 403-8634