Alert! Fraudulent Organic Certifications!

Fraudulent organic certificates listing the following businesses are in use and have recently been reported to the NOP: 

Distribuidra Fruta Frescatica SRL, Costa Rica

Tardo Filipinas, Inc., (aka Tardo Group of Companies)

Tam Herb

These certificates falsely represent agricultural products as certified organic under the USDA organic regulations, violating the Organic Foods Production Act of 1990. 

The vigilance of the organic community is a vital force in ensuring organic integrity.  Organic handlers should continue to review certificates carefully, validate with their certifying agents where needed, and send any suspicious certificates to the NOP Compliance and Enforcement team.

Any use of this certificate or other fraudulent documents to market, label, or sell non-organic agricultural products as organic can result in a civil penalty of up to $11,000 per violation. 

Persons with information regarding the production or use of this or other fraudulent NOP certificates are asked to send information to the NOP Compliance and Enforcement Division.

About the Agricultural Marketing Service
USDA's Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) facilitates the competitive and efficient marketing of agricultural products. Through its National Organic Program, AMS facilitates trade and ensures the integrity of organic agricultural products by consistently implementing organic standards and enforcing compliance with the regulations throughout the world. Learn more.