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USDA clears Aurora Organic Dairy after newspaper allegations

USDA NOPC-253-17 CCN Aurora 9 27 17

The USDA says a large-scale organic milk producer did not violate federal organic standards.

Aurora Organic Dairy has been cleared of allegations by made earlier this year by the Washington Post newspaper and the Cornucopia Institute.

The USDA issued a letter Wednesday officially closing their investigation into Aurora’s High Plains Dairy in Colorado.  USDA’s National Organic Program did an on-site audit of Aurora’s facilities after the newspaper claimed the milk might not meet organic standards.  Compliance Director Betsy Rakola said the newspaper’s photographs and observations did not provide sufficient evidence to substantiate violations.

The Washington Post along with the Cornucopia Institute alleged Aurora’s dairy cows were not grazing enough to meet organic feed standards.  They also claimed a Virginia Tech University test they sponsored showed lower linoleic acids, suggesting the Aurora cows had grazed less and had more conventional stored feed.  In a letter to Aurora, Rakola said, “Testing based on nutrient levels is not part of the existing organic standards, and therefore, cannot serve as a criteria for assessing compliance.”

Aurora Organic Dairy has about 15-thousand cows and provides milk to retailers including Walmart and Costco.