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How to Address Organic Complaints and Problems in the Marketplace

CCOF wants to help you address marketplace problems and complaints. Under the USDA National Organic Program, all products marketed as organic must be certified. If you witness organic products being mislabeled or fraudulently identified, you are highly encouraged to report the problem. Reporting is the best way to stop fraudulent practices. View the USDA National Organic Complaint website.

USDA National Organic Complaint Website

You are encouraged to complete the online CCOF Complaint Form or download the form and submit it directly to us. If you have evidence of the violation, e.g. a photo of a noncompliant label or records, be sure to send that with the Complaint Form.

CCOF Online Complaint Form Download Complaint Form

  • Any person may file a complaint if he or she believes a violation of the Organic Foods Production Act of 1990 or its implementing regulations (NOP) has occurred or is about to occur.

  • You may file a complaint with the National Organic Program (NOP), State Organic Program (SOP), or a certifying agent. Should you choose to file a complaint with the NOP, follow the instructions on their website.

    NOP Website

  • When you report a suspected violation, be prepared to provide as much detailed information as possible (Who? What? Where? When? Why? How?). Please include documentation when available. Complete and accurate information helps ensure that the issue can be successfully reviewed or investigated. Additionally, please provide your name and contact information if you are willing to discuss the issue further with an NOP compliance staff member as needed.

  • The USDA will review all complaints that it receives in accordance with its procedures for reviewing and investigating alleged violations of the NOP. The USDA will, as appropriate, refer complaints alleging violations of the NOP/SOP to the applicable SOP governing state official, who may, in turn, refer the complaint to the applicable certifying agent. In states without an approved SOP, the USDA will refer complaints to the applicable certifying agent. The USDA will, as appropriate, investigate allegations of violations of the Organic Foods Production Act by noncertified operations operating in states where there is no approved SOP.

  • States with an approved State Organic Program provide the same protections to consumers as the NOP, although they may follow slightly different complaint processing procedures.

Any person may file a complaint if he or she believes a violation of the Organic Foods Production Act of 1990 or its implementing regulations (NOP) has occurred or is about to occur.