Retailers fear GMO alfalfa deregulation will hamper ability to stock organic

The U.S. Department of Agriculture's recent decision to deregulate genetically modified alfalfa is affecting more than organic dairies and grass-fed ranchers worried about feeding cattle GMO contaminated crops. Natural foods retailers fear the decision will make it harder to stock organic products throughout the store.

While natural foods store owners may know a lot about GMOs, manufacturers of packaged goods could unwittingly include GMO contaminated ingredients in natural products as they become more ubiquitous throughout the supply chain, said Jay Jacobowitz, founder and president of Retail Insights, a Battleboro, Vt.-based consulting service for natural products retailers. You have to ask questions, if you want to be sure what you're selling is legitimate, and do your research, he said. "It is difficult for a retailer to take the time to research all of this, though some do," he added.

Because the USDA ruling did not provide restrictions on planting GMO alfalfa next to organic crops, retailers say even if they can trace a crop to the field, it's no guarantee it's not been cross contaminated.  

"Certainly this will make it very difficult, if not impossible, for organic producers to maintain the future integrity of their crops and therefore for retailers to feel confident we are selling products we can truly trust," said Michael Kanter, chief visionary officer for Cambridge Naturals a natural foods store based in Cambridge, Mass.  

Eli Lesser-Goldsmith, part owner and general manager of Healthy Living Market based in Burlington, Vt. echoed the sentiment. "This decision will affect everything in the store because cross-pollination is eminent," he said. "Europe has resisted the use of GMOs, why can't United States should follow suit?"