Wal-Mart accused of incorrectly labeling organic products

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5 total messages Started by Tim Campbell Thu, 16 Nov 2006 18:35

#784

Author: Tim Campbell
Date: Thu, 16 Nov 2006 18:35

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Ah, Wal-Mart -- always reliable for some good old-fashioned eco-drama.
This week, the Cornucopia Institute, an activist group representing
small farmers, filed a complaint with the U.S. Department of
Agriculture that accuses Wal-Mart of incorrectly labeling or otherwise
misrepresenting various products as organic in some stores. Visiting a
dozen stores in four Midwestern states, the group found several
troubling misrepresentations. In one case, "all-natural" yogurt was
labeled organic; in several stores, non-organic products were residing
in an organic-designated cooler. "We live and die by the reputation of
the organic label," says Cornucopia cofounder and organic farmer Mark
Kastel. "If Wal-Mart cheapens it, we all lose." Wal-Mart pooh-poohed
the accusations and defended its organic offerings. Nevertheless, the
USDA has opened an investigation into the retailer's organic-labeling
practices; violations of labeling standards can carry a fine of $10,000
per instance.





straight to the source: The Washington Post, Ylan Q. Mui, 15 Nov 2006


straight to the source: Gazette Extra, Associated Press, Emily Fredrix,
15 Nov 2006


straight to the source: Detroit Free Press, Bloomberg News Service,
Alan Bjerga, 15 Nov 2006


straight to the source: Star Tribune, Matt McKinney, 14 Nov 2006


discuss in Gristmill: Wal-Mart accused of mislabeling items as organic

Re: Wal-Mart accused of incorrectly labeling organic products

#785

Author: Haley
Date: Thu, 16 Nov 2006 19:46

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 Uhhh...and is anyone surprised by this?

Re: Wal-Mart accused of incorrectly labeling organic products

#786

Author: PeterL
Date: Thu, 16 Nov 2006 20:10

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Haley wrote:
> Uhhh...and is anyone surprised by this?

By someone accussing Walmart of something or another?  No I am not
surprised at all.

Re: Wal-Mart accused of incorrectly labeling organic products

#782

Author: Walt N
Date: Sat, 18 Nov 2006 14:21

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I think the profit margin for a standard grocery store is about 5%.
Financial reports from Whole Foods looks like their profit margin is
more like 100%+.  This stuff is way overpriced.  This party can't last,
and Walmart's looking to get into organic foods big time.  I'd rather
get organic stuff from a roadside stand, vice shipping it all the way
across the country from CA.

Re: Wal-Mart accused of incorrectly labeling organic products

#783

Author: John L
Date: Sat, 18 Nov 2006 16:07

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>I think the profit margin for a standard grocery store is about 5%.
>Financial reports from Whole Foods looks like their profit margin is
>more like 100%+.

I looked it up, it's 3.64%.  That's still high for the grocery biz
where Kroger and Safeway are both under 2%.

> I'd rather get organic stuff from a roadside stand, vice shipping it
> all the way across the country from CA.

Wouldn't we all.  But it's hard here in the parts of the country that
are covered with snow for four months every year.

R's,
John

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