Tell USDA: Decertify ETKO

We’ve been telling you about the influx of fake organic grain imported from overseas. It’s especially infuriating that the USDA seems to recognize this problem but is doing very little about it. One Turkish organic certifier, ETKO, seems to be egregiously at fault. Canada and the European Union have singled out ETKO for its fraudulent certifications and “decertified” the firm —meaning that ETKO-certified organic products are no longer accepted as organic.

The USDA had problems with ETKO as far back as 2009 but, instead of decertifying this company, actually reached a settlement agreement with them in 2016. The firm is now under audit by USDA. We asked the status of the audit and were told that the agency is still gathering data and will be done “soon.”

As the saying goes, “Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, shame on me.” ETKO appears to have been fooling people for years, based on Canadian and European action, and it’s time for the USDA to do its job and decertify this company. Not only do consumers unwittingly purchase products falsely labeled by the government as organic, but organic farmers in the US are also affected as they have to compete with fraudulent goods.

Write to the USDA and tell them to decertify ETKO and protect the integrity of organic products.

Recipients

Your Senators
Your Representative

Contact

*Required fields

* Title:

* First Name:

* Last Name:

* Your Email:

* Address 1:

Address 2:

* City:

* State / Province:

* ZIP / Postal Code:

* Phone Number:

Yes, I would like to receive periodic updates and communications from Alliance for Natural Health USA.

Remember me. What's this?

Message

Please decertify ETKO from Organics Program

Dear [Decision Maker],

* Personalize your message

I've been very concerned about the influx of fake organic products from overseas.

One Turkish organic certifier, ETKO, seems to be egregiously at fault. Canada and the European Union have singled out ETKO  for its fraudulent certifications and "decertified" the firm --meaning that ETKO-certified organic products are no longer accepted as organic.

The USDA had problems with ETKO as far back as 2009 but, instead of decertifying this company, actually reached a settlement agreement with them in 2016. The firm is now under audit by USDA.

As the saying goes, "Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, shame on me." ETKO appears to have  been fooling people for years, based on Canadian and European action, and it's time for the USDA to do its job and decertify this company. Not only do consumers unwittingly purchase products falsely labeled by the government as organic, but organic farmers in the US are also affected as they have to compete with fraudulent goods.

Please take action on this important issue and protect the integrity of organic products.

Sincerely,
[Your Name]
[Your Address]
[City, State ZIP]
[Your Email]