Peter Borst wrote:
> Right, "semi-official standards" means you can say what you like and nobody
> is going to call you on it.
USDA is the one which has authorized certain companies to be the organic 
certifiers. You are in violation of the law if you use the organic 
certified label. Check out health/natural food stores. There will be 
organic honey with the certification on the label.

If you see otherwise, give the USDA a call.

The USDA has not approved national organic standard for some products, 
and honey seems to be a major sticking point.The USDA looks for 
consensus and with the divide between commercial operations and hobby 
purists (who have power through State organic associations, Maine being 
the foremost), they have not, to my knowledge, settled on a nationwide 
standard, but have authorized certain companies and State Associations 
to certify honey as organic.

There are several on this list who sell organic honey with the 
certification. It is actually more stringent than the EU. It looks like 
the EU took ours and made it more realistic and allowed some 
flexibility. The stringent organic standards started right here in Maine 
with MOGFA and and an idiot beekeeper. Doubt if they are still keeping 
bees. Some of us tried to change it but that is hard when you are 
arguing with the purer than pure and ignorance abounds. Lots of nuts 
among the berries.

Bill Truesdell
Bath, Maine

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