Organic labeling confused in Target ad, group claims
Filed under: Food, Shopping, Health
Target is finding itself in a little hot milk after advertising a soymilk as organic when in fact it's not, according to a complaint by an agricultural watchdog group.The Cornucopia Institute, a not-for-profit, has filed a complaint against Target, claiming it misrepresented a product as organic in advertisements. This was filed Tuesday with the National Organic Program, Office of Compliance:
"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' White Wave 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. Additionally, The Cornucopia Institute has transaction records for purchase of the 'natural' conventional) Silk soymilk that was promoted by Target Corporation as organic."
Target didn't return WalletPop's calls seeking comment by press time.
Cornucopia admits that the mislabeling could be a mistake by Target.
According to Cornucopia's Mark Kastel, Silk quietly transitioned from an "organic" to "natural" label this spring, but didn't bother to tell the public or even suppliers. Target's mislabeling of the product in ads could be just a mistake, says Kastle, and Cornucopia wants it removed from future ads and a correction run for any it might be too late to change.
Choosing healthy food is confusing enough without deceptive labeling. Just figuring out the difference between organic and natural is tough.
Here's a quick breakdown: Organic is regulated by the government and natural is not, meaning the natural label is pretty subjective.
Cornucopia investigates and ranks farms and their organic practices. Small, family farms are more likely to follow proper protocols with free range, grass fed cattle that produce dairy products certified organic. Large factory farms have a harder time meeting these requirements, according to Kastel, particularly when it comes to soy products. Factory farms often source from China, where ingredients are proving to suspect.
Target is by no means alone on this issue. Cornucopia has uncovered mislabeled and misrepresented products in retailers all over the place. The notable thing is how different retailers have responded.
When Aurora, a supplier for store brand dairy products to multiple retailers was found to be in willful violation of organic laws, Target's response was to stand by its supplier of Archer Farms milk, even though the validity of its organic status was in question.
Executives from Publix, on the other hand, sought out small farmers and made personal visits to make sure conditions were met and the products authentically organic, according Kastel.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
10-21-2009 @ 2:57PM
caryn said...
When are we going to stop sourcing from China? Haven't we had enough poisoning from them? I think we should all try and buy from US grown farmers - who follow the law and regulations instead of buying and supporting another country who keeps trying to contaminate our food, and every other product from their country. When is enough,. enough?
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10-21-2009 @ 5:03PM
Mikey said...
Caryn,
You're right in saying we shouldn't buy from China. However this is not China's fault. They are doing no different than we did 100 years ago. If done right. China will be a great and future ally. Right now we have our own untapped resources. Not just energy...but labor. Take away the speculators and the top bankers and what do you get? The people who really make it work.
10-21-2009 @ 2:58PM
Ernie said...
Publix... Still setting a great standard for others!!!
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10-21-2009 @ 6:02PM
mama said...
Yep, I was born and raised in Florida and we did our grocery shopping at Publix all the time. When I moved to Virginia for college and back again for a job, I was disappointed to find that regional grocery stores here didn't have the same quality and prices as Publix did.
10-21-2009 @ 3:23PM
Grandma D said...
According to what I have read about Organic - if the label only says "Organic" and does not say "100% Organic" then it is only a partial Organic item.
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10-21-2009 @ 5:17PM
Mikey said...
This is how I know it's organic (for sure). If I grew it myself in my back yard in nothing but dirt...It's organic. Anything else is suspect.
10-21-2009 @ 3:32PM
Jen said...
http://www.silksoymilk.com/products/silk-organic/vanilla
http://www.silksoymilk.com/products/silk-organic/original
I guess someone forgot to tell Silk they aren't organic
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10-21-2009 @ 3:37PM
CLAUDIA said...
Organic.vs Natural...I guess an Easy Mistake. I do not buy Organic Products, But, I definately buy my Produce from Local Farmers that are sold by IGA Supermarkets. I try my best to keep all my purchases made from Local Business and Home Grown. I do not buy Anything Not Made in the USA.
Check your Pantry...Check your Clothing...Check your Supplies for your Everyday Living. You will be Surprised Just how many ITEMS have Slipped in without you noticing. I try and Live Green, and I drive a * Green * Plymouth Caravan...2003, It uses alternative Gas. Please DO NOT TARGET ...for this misleading Ad. I am sure that they were just as confused as we the consumers are as to What's What...And What's Not. Also very Misleading was K-Mart...when they advertized a Tent as a Vacation Home!! It took Jay Leno to point that out on his HEADLINES section of his Monday Night Program. I guarantee My Summer Home will never be a TENT without Running Water, Electricity, A shower or a commode. I need a Refrigerator, a Stove, Microwave and of course an Air Conditioner, and even include a Washer Dryer Combo. I want a Summer Home that you could actually Enjoy...Not A TENT!!
Publix is a Terrific Store, BTW, But Prices are Higher in their Supermarkets then Kroger, Piggly Wiggly and Food Lion.
Watch your Ads, Watch the Supermarkets Commercials on TV, and Shop for your Items with Knowledge.
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10-21-2009 @ 3:53PM
Pete said...
Some people have way too much time on their hands! Why doesn't this watchdog group do something that is actually helpful like, oh I don't know, feed some hungry children or help the homeless. Out of the billions of people on the planet, I am guessing that less than 1 half of 1 half of 1 half of 1 half of one percent even care about Target and it's misrepresenting of a soy milk product as organic when it is not. The only reason I care is because there is a group of people who actually get paid to look into things like this and another group of people who actually fund them. I think the group should be investigated and make sure it is not the American taxpayer who is paying this worthless bill!
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10-21-2009 @ 6:35PM
Rachel said...
Obviously you care about Target and have too much time. As do I or else I wouldn't have cared enought to read the article, read the comments, then comment on yours.
Talk is cheap. You want to help people, then go out there and help them.
10-24-2009 @ 11:45AM
Karen Todd said...
Target in our area carries both the regular Silk soymilk and the Organic Silk. The organic is labeled appropriately. I trust this and choose it over the non organic when availble.
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10-21-2009 @ 6:57PM
Timmay! said...
The mislabeling is calling it milk. It's bean juice.
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10-21-2009 @ 7:13PM
Billy Spud said...
The terms "oganic" and "natural" are bound to be confusing. Steel is "natural" product: you refine "natural" ore, just like we refine "organic" salicylic acid to make aspirin, or just synthesize the same molecule.
Trying to differentiate is largely selling snake oil.
Granted, industryuses alot of things to increase production that have since been found to cause problems, but decreasing production means we starve, and you can always tell who is paying for a study by how it concludes.
Don't worry about "organic" and "natural', unless you want to go self-sufficient on 4 acres, quit your job, work under the table and not pay taxes, generate your power, unplug the TV,,,,,,,talked myself right into it!
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10-21-2009 @ 8:11PM
Courtney said...
I agree. Publix is awesome. From what I hear, they are the only grocery store right now, still growing.
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10-21-2009 @ 11:21PM
Troi said...
I drank Silk soymilk less than five minutes ago. On the carton at the lower right hand side is the USDA Organic logo. If Organic foods are, "regulated by the government" then why is that logo on the box? Also, I didn't even get this particular Silk from Target. It was in BJ's as well as local grocery stores.
The Cornucopia Institute has way too much time on its hands. Do something useful and create better fuels or help in creating better energy resources. They probably used enough paper for their complaint to kill a dozen trees.
PS. This article states that Silk changed to 'Natural' in the Spring but I got my soymilk a week ago with the USDA Organic logo on it.
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10-27-2009 @ 1:03PM
Lynn Christianson said...
Hello,
I work with The Cornucopia Institute. Although I can't speak officially for us, I can speak from what I understand of our work. The reason we go after large corporations and large factory farms is to protect the family-farmers who produce ethical food and typically follow organic standards (i.e. real organic food). These larger brands are often sold cheaper, so consumers buy them thinking they're getting quality organic food for a good price. At Cornucopia we don't want our consumers lied to and we don't want our family-farmers short changed and their work in vain. We simply want to support quality food and good work, and keep family-farmers out of poverty.
Thanks to wallpop for posting our news. Feel free to contact us.
Lynn, Administrator
11-06-2009 @ 9:57AM
Kathryn said...
I like the fact that Cornucopia has brought this information out. Someone has to be the watchdog. Consumers are not able to do this for themselves and our government keeps crying they don't have enough people to keep up with everything that's going on. Just think if no one was watching for the lead paint in everything going into children's mouths. It's a GREAT thing that Cornucopia is able to take the time and keep us being INFORMED consumers!!
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