There’s been a lot in the news about the problems with goods imported from China in the last few months. We’ve had toys painted with paint that contains lead, medications produced under anything but sanitary conditions, and fish caught in sewage canals. We’ve had produce contamination concerns as well. Given all of the problems with goods produced in China, it is kind of mind-boggling that anybody would think that “organic” food produced in China would actually be “organic.” But that is exactly what is happening.

It is more important than ever that those who want to eat organically produced food be aware of food labeling regulations. There is no way to enforce U.S. organic food production standards in China. We have no jurisdiction in China. Chinese farms are generally large and government-owned, and they do pretty much as they please. The labeling is the only defense that we have.

So-called “organic” food from China and other countries can be labeled “organic” according to American law. They cannot, however, be labeled “certified organic.” You’ll find foods labeled “organic” at big chain grocery stores and discount department stores like Wal-Mart. If they’re cheap, they most likely came from China, and they are most likely anything but what you would consider organic.

China is having a really hard time (if they are even trying) to understand the concept of organic food. The country still used DDT, for heaven’s sake! The government determines to deem a farm organic, but there is very little if any oversight, and decreased production is cause for alarm.

It is best to avoid food that is “cheap” and labeled “organic” but not “certified organic.” The odds are good that the food was shipped to the United States from China. The odds are also very good that the food is NOT really organic – much less certified organic.