Section 2-21-3. Certification requirements

   (a) Upon testing, any agricultural ingredient, article, commodity, or product which is identified, labeled, advertised, packaged, or promoted as organic shall contain no more than 5 percent of a level established as toxic by the United States Food and Drug Administration, the United States Environmental Protection Agency, the Environmental Protection Division of the Department of Natural Resources, or the United States Department of Agriculture.

(b) Producers, brokers, distributors, and processors of an organic food or feed product which is identified, advertised, promoted, labeled, or packaged as organic shall keep accurate records of all purchasing, shipping, and storage practices which transpired while any organic commodity or product was in the possession of a producer, broker, distributor, or processor. Accurate records shall include the location at which such organic commodity or product originated.

(c) On or after July 1, 2000, any qualifying organic production, distribution, or processing practices shall be deemed eligible for certification upon approval by the department. The department shall review any organic production, distribution, or processing practice which began prior to July 1, 2000, and may approve certification if such practice meets the requirements as set forth in this chapter and the standards adopted by the department.

Code 1981, § 2-21-3, enacted by Ga. L. 2000, p. 1648, § 1; Ga. L. 2001, p. 4, § 2.