The “USDA Organic” seal is one of the most trusted labels in the grocery store. Consumers rely on it as a guarantee that their food was produced without synthetic pesticides, GMOs, or antibiotics. However, a series of recent scandals and systemic problems have put this trusted certification under fire. Critics, including some organic farmers themselves, argue that the standards have been weakened and that enforcement is so lax that the label is becoming increasingly meaningless. This has led to a crisis of confidence in the very system that was designed to build consumer trust
