Strengthening Organic Systems, LLC

🌟✨ As we approach the end of a fantastic year at #SOS, we just wanted to take a moment to give a HUGE thank you to everyone who made our success possible! 🎉🙌 From the inspiring individuals and #organic businesses who joined our journey to the amazing partnerships and community support, each of you has played a vital role in our achievements. Together, we’re cultivating not just organic agriculture, but a thriving ecosystem of support and innovation! 🌱💚 Looking ahead, we’re buzzing with excitement for what’s to come in the new year! 🎺 Let’s continue to grow organic integrity and make a positive impact, one acre at a time. Here’s to new adventures, fresh ideas, and even more successes in 2025! #Cheers! 🥂🌍 #ThankYou #OrganicIntegrity #StrengtheningOrganicSystems #TeamSOS

How does a USDA-NOP accredited certifying agent analytically determine whether an organic crop is grown using a prohibited synthetic nitrogen fertilizer? What if a party launches a complaint that needs to be investigated? What validated testing methods are available under USDA's National Organic Program (NOP)? If you would like to learn more, please join Strengthening Organic Systems (SOS) on January 16, 2025 as we moderate an informative and free webinar hosted by AOAC International. 👉 Register here: https://lnkd.in/g6GAfRPk By joining, you will gain a better understanding of the developing methodology for testing organic crops and fertilizers for the presence of prohibited synthetic nitrogen. 🕵♀️ 🔎 AOAC INTERNATIONAL Organic Trade Association Accredited Certifiers Association   #OrganicIntegrity #Testing #OrganicFraudPrevention #foodfraud #SOS #StrengtheningOrganicSystems #OrganicAuthenticity

Following International Fraud Awareness Week, we compiled our #organic fraud prevention tips into a comprehensive SOS blog. If you missed the tips during the event, now you can catch up in one convenient read. Learn how to safeguard your brand from organic fraud: 👉 https://lnkd.in/gbnnMddA #ReportOrganicFraud #OrganicFraudPreventionTeam #KnowYourOrganicIngredients #EthicalBusinessCulture #ContinuousImprovement #StrengtheningOrganicSystems #SOS

Organic fraud prevention tips continued, because every week is organic fraud prevention awareness week! 🌱 Are you aware that a strong ethical business culture can be your best defense against organic fraud? 🤔✨ When it comes to building a successful and sustainable organic market, integrity is everything! A solid ethical foundation not only builds trust with consumers but also safeguards against fraud. When businesses prioritize transparency and accountability, they create a ripple effect that enhances the entire organic sector. 🌍💚 How does your favorite business or brand uphold ethical practices? What role does leadership play? Share your thoughts below! 👇 #EthicalBusiness #OrganicIntegrity #OrganicTrust #OrganicFraudPrevention #OrganicLeadership

Organic Fraud Prevention TIP OF THE DAY for International Fraud Awareness Week! 🔎🔎🔎 👉 Know Your Organic Ingredients! The key to safeguarding your organic business from fraud lies in knowing the entire story behind your organic ingredients. Establishing a strong organic supplier verification program is crucial. By delving into the origins of each organic ingredient you procure and understanding the geographical route they travel, you can fortify your defenses against fraudulent practices. Here are some important questions for your organic fraud prevention team to explore: ✔️ Am I using a well-vetted and trusted supplier? ✔️ How complex is my supply chain, and can I trace back to the organic farm? ✔️ Does my ingredient (or the growing region) have a history of organic fraud? ✔️ What supply and demand (market) factors are in play? ✔️ Is there a robust domestic market? ✔️ Does the price of the ingredient make sense or is it too good to be true? There are many more questions to ask, but this short list is a great start for figuring out your vulnerabilities, risks, and fraud mitigation strategy. Remember, the main factor causing fraud is profit. 💰 Look for BLIND spots and HOT spots, with a goal of supply chain visibility. Check for organic certifications and documentation. Monitor supplier performance. Utilize testing to help find discrepancies. And always, please, report organic fraud if you detect it. 🕵♀️ SOS top 5 picks for helpful sources of data and insights: 💡💡 🌏 🚢 ·     USDA National Organic Program (Agricultural Marketing Service) Organic Integrity Database: https://lnkd.in/eDQ4X7Ew ·     Organic Trade Association Organic Fraud Prevention Guide https://lnkd.in/eKz4sDqP ·     USDA NOP Fraudulent Certificates: https://lnkd.in/gtgp-BQr ·     Argus Organic & non-GMO (Mercaris):  https://lnkd.in/gejuF4sM ·     SOS - Report Organic Fraud https://lnkd.in/dh__fZbf #FraudPrevention #OrganicIntegrity #SupplierVerification #FraudAwareness #KnowYourIngredients #EveryIngredientHasAStory #ReportOrganicFraud

Organic Fraud Prevention TIP OF THE DAY for International Fraud Awareness Week! 🔎🔎🔎 Creating a dedicated #organic fraud prevention team is essential for safeguarding your organic business from fraud. Here are some key steps to help you get started: 1. Diversify your team: Organic fraud must take into account economic incentives and deceptive criminal behavior. From this perspective, the team should be multidisciplinary and include members from senior management, QA, regulatory, procurement, and production. A legal representative is a plus. 2. Define Roles: Clearly outline roles and responsibilities. Make sure everyone knows their part in the organic fraud prevention process. 3. Foster Communication: Encourage open communication within the team and with other departments. Collaboration is key to identifying potential risks. 4. Invest in Training: Provide ongoing training on the latest organic market and fraud trends, prevention techniques and the process for reporting fraud. 📚 5. Utilize Technology: Equip your team with the right tools and software to help monitor suppliers, ingredients, transactions and identify anomalies effectively. Whether you are a small or large company, building a strong team 💪 is the first step toward protecting your organic business! 🌿 What qualities do you think are essential for a fraud prevention team? Share your thoughts below! 💬 👇 #FraudPrevention #OrganicBusiness #TeamBuilding #FraudAwareness #SOE #StrengtheningOrganicSystems https://organicsos.com/

This week marks International Fraud Awareness Week, established by the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners (ACFE) in 2000. ACFE is the world's largest anti-fraud organization, inspired by a conversation with a hero of ours, Dr. Donald Cressey (1919-1987), a leading criminologist in the United States. The primary aim of the week is to educate individuals on fraud and its prevention. Fraud has been around for thousands of years (far beyond the relatively young #organic sector) highlighting the need to glean insights from history and global experts. Throughout this week, we will delve into the motives behind fraudulent behavior and three key principles crucial for understanding how to safeguard your organic business from external and internal fraudsters. At SOS, we recognize the significance of participating in this dialogue and emphasizing the importance of combating ORGANIC fraud. Let's leverage this week to exchange insights and fortify our collective defenses. What strategies do you prioritize for preventing organic fraud as we approach 2025? https://lnkd.in/gZpBt9gE #fraudweek #organicfraudprevention #SOE #SOS #fraudawareness #fraudpreventionstrategies #SOSDispatch #organicsupplychain #organicintegrity #DonaldCressey

Organic Education Alert!! A webinar brought to you by the Organic Trade Association and sponsored by SOS - Supply Challenges: Commercial Availability of Ingredients and Organic Product Formulations. 🌿 The USDA organic regulations require the use of organic ingredients in certified organic products, with a few exceptions granted only when the organic form is deemed "commercially unavailable," the non-organic version is listed on the National List, and its usage in the certified organic product is approved by a USDA accredited certifying agent. Have you ever wondered what "commercial availability" means and how these decisions are made? Did you know that cost cannot be a decision factor when sourcing an organic ingredient? Are you struggling to sell or find organic ingredients? Do you know why and/or how to get an ingredient on or off the National List? If any of this sounds interesting or familiar, you've landed on the right post. Engage with experts from certifying bodies, organic brands and formulators, ingredient suppliers, and a member of the National Organic Standards Board (#NOSB) for an in-depth discussion of the challenges and opportunities related to sourcing organic ingredients and growing supply and demand. Register here 👉 https://lnkd.in/g7yy7ux7 #OrganicIngredients #OTA #SOS #CommercialAvailability #SupplyAndDemand #GrowOrganic

The SOS team is fabulous!

It's not too late to register! Elevate your expertise in organic livestock certification with IOIA and SOS by joining us this FRIDAY, Nov. 8 @ 2PM Pacific, for our exclusive training session on the USDA's new Organic Livestock and Poultry Standards (OLPS). This session will be led by our expert advisors, Johanna Phillips and Kim Dietz. 🐔🌱 Specifically crafted for USDA National Organic Program (Agricultural Marketing Service) organic auditors and inspectors, this intensive 2-hour training will provide you with valuable insights into the key changes in OLPS regulations, ensuring you are fully prepared to maintain the highest standards of organic integrity and animal welfare. 🛡️🔍 🔗 Reserve your seat today: https://lnkd.in/gDsiF5K5 #Organic #OLPS #OrganicCertification #AnimalWelfare #SOS #IOIATraining #OrganicIntegrity #ContinuingEducation