To be certified as Organically Grown, in the US, inspectors visit the fields and take random samples and verify that the cropping requirements are being followed (Crop Rotation). Plant samples are taken and tested for insecticides, herbicides, and for GMO. The individual states have their own inspection system but they all must meet USDA guidelines. The crops can not be sold as organically grown if the seller does not have the Federal Certificate.
Now crops grown in Old Mexico have their own standards and are inspected by Mexican officials who issue the certificate. They can be shipped to the US and sold as Organic. The US recognizes the Certification because of NAFTA but we all know how much graft and corruption there is in Mexico. A little payola and across the border it goes into organic food markets.
It was a sweet deal for Mexico because the consumer had no idea where the product was grown and assumed it was inspected by the USDA.
The passage of (COOL) Country OF Origin Labeling, gave the consumer more purchasing information on fresh produce or individual single item products such as raisins without anything added.
The one remaining problem is with items with a combination of ingredients or products like corn tortilla chips that are 99% corn but fried and salted. The country of origin of the RAW product of corn which is 99%, is not required to have country of Origin labeling even if it is processed in the US. The tortilla chip maker receives the corn from old Mexico with the Mexican organic certification and that is where that information stays, with the manufactures. After it is cooked in a lime solution, fried in oil and salted no one knows that the organic certification was from corrupt Old Mexico.
I hope this helps explain what is happening with the organic food trade.
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