The California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) announced that an administrative law judge has upheld a penalty of $1.89 million plus investigative costs against Florida-based Agro Research International LLC, for adulteration and mislabeling of registered organic fertilizing material AGRO GOLD WS.
CDFA said the product was found to contain the synthetic herbicides diquat and glyphosate, both of which are prohibited from use in certified organic agriculture production. The product was registered with CDFA as a “biological amendment” and the company was required to adhere to the USDA’s National Organic Program standards for organic food and crop production.
CDFA in August 2020 initiated an investigation into AGRO GOLD WS, co-packaged with the organic herbicide WEED SLAYER. CDFA said it analyzed 17 samples of AGRO GOLD WS, all of which indicated “unequivocal confirmation of adulteration with diquat and glyphosate at significant levels.” CDFA said samples analyzed by four other state departments of agriculture were consistent with CDFA’s results.
CDFA’s Fertilizing Materials Inspection Program in December 2020 issued an order of statewide quarantine and removal from sale of AGRO GOLD WS, and CDFA’s State Organic Program executed a stop-use order for AGRO GOLD WS. CDFA in May 2022 sent a Notice of Penalty and Adverse Determination to Agro Research International, LLC, which then requested the hearing before an administrative law judge.
“This investigation and penalty based on scientific results is a perfect example of how CDFA’s Inspection Services Division preserves the integrity of the California certified organic label, as well as truth in labeling and our high standards to protect the agriculture industry and public,” said CDFA Secretary Karen Ross. “It’s also a strong example of how our Fertilizing Materials Inspection Program, the State Organic Program, and the Center for Analytical Chemistry collaborate effectively.”