Cuyana,

"so says the article."

The fact that the USDA Food Safety Inspection Service (FSIS) is being so picky about the labeling distinction, and the fact that Tyson has had a legal and technical team working on this for over a year seems to refute the claim that there is and absence of enforcement.

The FSIS requires that a meat producer apply to the USDA for approval to use a label that claims the product was "Raised without antibiotics." It is not just a matter of slapping on the label of choice. Proposed labeling must be submitted to the Labeling and Program Delivery Division for sketch approval, and must include supporting documentation detailing the feed formulation.

Commercially processed meats are regularly inspected by the USDA and the entire growth process, including feed formulas, must be available for USDA inspection. The USDA FSIS does not just inspect the animal carcass, but the facility, the packaging process, the feed formulation, veterinary records and the production environment, to ensure that USDA guidelines are followed.

USDA Certified Organic products are similarly subject to strict regulations. Does someone stop by the organic farm and personally inspect every chicken? No.

But, the farm is subject to strict guidelines that include feeding organically grown feeds, certifying that no pesticides have been used on the farm for a minimum of 3 years prior to organic certification, and numerous other regulations. This is regulated and enforced by the independent certifying agency. Farms must be regularly inspected and found in compliance to retain USDA Certified Organic status.

There are significant economic and legal penalties for claiming to be in compliance while "cheating" in practice. It's a lot like traffic cops. The policeman doesn't ride in the car with every motorist to see if he is speeding, but rather "spot checks" and looks for violators. After some practice, you get pretty good at spotting the infringing drivers.

It is hard to imagine how the writer of the article could believe that no one is checking on this industry. mmmmmm.

-zties