New Statewide Effort to Regulate Organic Farms

SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP)- California is kicking off an effort to improve oversight of organic food production across the state.

The California Organic Program is considering new rules to help officials monitor the more than 2,800 organic farms and ranches that bring in about $1.1 billion every year.

A spot inspection program is part of the plan. Officials say that would enable inspectors to go to farmers' markets and other poorly regulated outlets to make sure California products labeled as authentic actually are.

Many organic farmers and certifiers say the regulations will help weed out imposters, and help honest farmers as well as consumers.