Any person may file a complaint if he or she believes a violation of the Organic Food Production Act of 1990 or its implementing regulations has occurred or is about to occur.

You may file a complaint with the National Organic Program (NOP), State Organic Program (SOP), or a Certifying Agent. Should you choose to file a complaint with the NOP, you may do so in writing or by phone, fax, or e-mail.

When you report a suspected violation, be prepared to provide as much detailed information as possible. (Who?, What?, Where?, When?, Why?, and How?). Please include documentation when available. Complete and accurate information helps ensure that the issue can be successfully reviewed or investigated.

Additionally, please provide your name and contact information if you are willing to discuss the issue further with an NOP Compliance staff member as needed.

USDA will review all complaints that it receives in accordance with its procedures for reviewing and investigating alleged violations of the NOP.

USDA will, as appropriate, refer complaints alleging violations of the NOP/SOP to the applicable SOP’s governing State official, who may, in turn, refer the complaint to the applicable certifying agent. In States without an approved SOP, USDA will refer complaints to the applicable certifying agent.

USDA will, as appropriate, investigate allegations of violations by certifying agents and SOP’s. When appropriate, USDA will refer complaints alleging violations by certifying agents to the applicable SOP’s governing State official.

USDA will, as appropriate, investigate allegations of violations of the Act by noncertified operations operating in States where there is no approved SOP.

States with approved State Organic Programs provide the same protections to consumers as the NOP, although they may follow slightly different complaint processing procedures.