- Woman harvesting potatoes from her field.The process of gattering potatoes image by Mykola Velychko from Fotolia.com
In 2004 the California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) found that a California-based company, California Liquid Fertilizer, was putting nonorganic ingredients into fertilizer labeled as organic, raising concerns about the authenticity and reliability of the labeling of organic products. As a result of this discovery, CDFA has issued several warnings to residents and farmers in California about using this "organic" fertilizer. - In the state of California, the label has not always guaranteed that the product is truly organic. As part of an effort to try to enforce stricter guidelines for obtaining the certification, the California Certified Organic Farmers (CCOF) has stated that they will "no longer internally review blended liquid fertilizers with greater than 3 percent nitrogen content that are not Organic Materials Review Institute (OMRI) or Washington State Department of Agriculture approved." In August 2009, CCOF required all companies that produce organic liquid fertilizers to obtain third-party inspection before purchase to ensure compliance with all applicable National Organic Program (NOP) rules. The CDFA is still working toward improving its inspection standards. This task has proven challenging because accurately identifying that a fertilizer is compliant with NOP rules is "complicated, very technical, and involves confidential information."
- Understand what a nonorganic material is made of and what it means for your health and the environment. The nitrogen in real organic liquid fertilizer products comes from starting materials that are naturally high in protein such as fish, blood meal, meat and feathers, and earthworm castings. Ammonium sulfate artificially boosts the amount of nitrogen found in fertilizer.
Although ammonium sulfate does not compromise food safety when used in small amounts, its usage is shunned by the organic movement because its inclusion does not support natural, sustainable growing. Its production also requires a high amount of energy, deprives soil of its natural fertility, and pollutes water. Research the company or ingredient on your organically labeled fertilizer. If you suspect a compromising substance in your fertilizer, make sure to report it to CDFA and investigate the impact it might have on your vegetation, your food and the environment. For example, ammonium sulfate can compromise the flavor of your vegetables as well as the safety of the food that grows from it. It can also be toxic to organisms living around the environment where the fertilizer is being used and disruptive to sea life in local streams and rivers where the chemicals from these fertilizers eventually travel. Check the CDFA website frequently to remain updated on reports on fraudulent labeling of organic goods. - While the case against California Liquid Fertilizer has been resolved and inspection standards have increased, farmers should continue to be mindful of the cracks that exist in obtaining an organic label to protect the integrity of their farms and maintain the loyal support of their consumers. Always look for proof of third-party inspection before using a product labeled as organic and be suspicious when a company is trying to sell fertilizer that's labeled as organic and has not received such inspection.
previous post