Naturland is researching a possible fraud with organic carrots. A suspicion exists that a retailer has re-labeled organic carrots from EU countries with labels for German organic carrots at least twice. The weekly news magazine ‘Der Spiegel’ reported problems with fake certificates of origin used by the supplier of the cooperative of Naturland farmers.
The cooperative Naturland farmers is an independent distributor of the Naturland association and deals in organic potatoes and other vegetables that meet several different classes of organic standards.
In the case of the truckloads of carrots mentioned in ‘Der Spiegel’ the European organic carrots met the standards but were re-labeled to German EU-organic carrots. However, neither of the truckloads were sold under the guise of the highest organic standards.
The accused was a former trading partner of the cooperative, Bio Frische Service. Their contract with Naturland was terminated without notice at the end of September, and now the company has applied for insolvency. The fact that the alleged fraud was "just" about organic goods according to the EU standard is irrelevant. Naturland had already informed controlling agencies of the situation at Bio Frische Service in September, which led to the termination of the contract. The responsible German authorities were also informed.
For more information:
Naturland - Verband für ökologischen Landbau e.V.
Kleinhaderner Weg 1
82166 Gräfelfing
Phone: +49 (0)89 898082-0
Fax: +49 (0)89 898082-90
Email: naturland@naturland.de