Wal-Mart Gets Green Wrist Slap Over Organics

May 10, 2007

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The Cornucopia Institute, a Wisconsin-based organic group, declared checkmate in its battle against Wal-Mart over the mislabeling of organic food products, Advertising Age reports (via MarketingVOX).

Wal-Mart has not broken any laws but the Wisconsin agriculture department sent the big-box retailer a “formal warning” about potentially misleading customers with its shelf labels. The letter notes that Wal-Mart’s “Organics” designation “in combination with a reference to a specific non-organic product may be considered to be a misrepresentation” that may violate Wisconsin law.

A Wal-Mart spokeswoman pointed out that Wal-Mart itself does not label products as organic; this is managed by product providers. However, efforts are being made to ensure shelves tagged “Organic” do not mislead.

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Reader Comments

Reading this story makes me proud to be from Wisconsin.

We, as a community and as individuals, need to be keeping close watch on large corporations. Their profit-based structure makes them a constant suspect for side-stepping regulations. I think it is great that Wal-Mart is making organic products available to their customers provided that their products meet strict federally certified organic standards. Some is better than none. But truth is better than lies.

Eli Meyer | November 20th, 2007

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