Cornucopia’s policy applies to brands scored on our organic egg, dairy, poultry, and beef scorecards (“scorecards”). After an investigation, Cornucopia’s policy is to adjust brand scores on our scorecards based on information gathered. Cornucopia reserves the right to determine how to verify evidence, with preference for official documentation achieved through Freedom of Information Act requests, lawsuits, and releases from the National Organic Program and/or Accredited Certifiers.

Note that Cornucopia is not a certifier or third-party label. Cornucopia instead operates to collect, distil, and present information to consumers via our scorecards. Cornucopia exists to protect organic integrity and bring transparency to the organic marketplace.

Triggers for this policy are as follows:

  • Confirmed or strongly evidenced non-compliance of the Organic Foods Production Act, including use of prohibited substances;
  • Confirmed or strongly evidenced non-compliance with the National Organic Program standards, particularly 7 CFR Part 205 – Subpart C – Organic Production and Handling Requirements;
  • Confirmed and/or strongly evidenced animal welfare violations (including animal neglect), as defined by applicable state law;
  • Confirmed negative environmental impacts, including harm to air, water, soil, native ecosystems, or wildlife. These concerns include violations or strongly suspected violations of the Clean Water Act, Clean Air Act, Endangered Species Act, Animal Welfare Act, other federal laws, and/or related state laws; and
  • Other strongly evidenced patterns of obfuscation, fraud, or integrity concerns which could impact consumers.

Impact of policy:

  1. Brands may be removed, downgraded, or otherwise edited on our scorecards while Cornucopia’s investigation is ongoing.
  2. Once enough data is gathered, Cornucopia may downgrade the brand one to four “levels” on Cornucopia’s scorecard. Downgrading may occur even if the brand is currently in compliance with the organic regulations.
  3. Individual scores may be impacted by past violations and/or strong evidence of past violations.
  4. The score changes will remain in place until the brand has gone through the Policy for Repair, below.

Policy for Repair:

Once a brand is downgraded under this policy, they can work to repair their score over time. Score repair occurs over a three-year monitoring period that requires increased documentation from affected brand(s). The following will be required:

  1. Share yearly Organic System Plans (OSP) as they are completed;
  2. Notify Cornucopia about any new or ongoing non-compliances, unannounced inspections, unannounced inspection reports, and settlement agreements with Accredited Certifiers, NOP, or State program administrators.
  3. Notify Cornucopia if there are any major changes to brand policies, procedures, or products (including obtaining a new third party certification).
  4. Notify Cornucopia if there are any major events that might constitute substantive organic, animal welfare, and/or environmental violations.