Wal-Mart Changing Label?

(Washington, DC) Wal-Mart has agreed to redesign the green shelf tags it uses to designate its "Wal-Mart Organics" following a review by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Wal-Mart will remove all product information, and replace it with the USDA organic seal to direct customers to products that have been certified organic. Although the review found no evidence to show that any product certified as "USDA Organic" was mislabeled, the USDAs Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) directed Wal-Mart to make the change in order to avoid confusing consumers. AMS initiated the review of Wal-Mart Stores, Inc., after receiving a complaint that alleged Wal-Mart Stores misled customers by labeling an entire section of the store as "Wal-Mart Organics" without ensuring that only certified organic products were stocked in the section. The review concluded Wal-Mart violated neither the Organic Foods Production Act nor the National Organic Program (NOP) regulations because certified organic products were stocked in those sections of the store. Additionally, AMS concluded there was no violation of the NOP regulations when certified organic products are located on the same shelves as brand name conventional counterparts. Wal-Mart has pledged to implement new written procedures and signage in all of its 4,000 retail outlets. AMS will continue to monitor the progress of Wal-Mart Stores, Inc., to ensure the approved procedures are fully implemented. (Copyright 2007 Newsroom Solutions, LLC)