We've been shopping at Whole Foods since, if I recall correctly, the 1980's … starting with Mrs. Gooch's, which was purchased by Whole Foods a long time ago. Thing is, if I say something isn't right, then suddenly I'm a "Whole Foods hater" — as if you have to blindly accept everything they do without question. Geez. :)

I read the part you quoted; I'm just saying that it doesn't clarify how products coming from out of the country are dealt with. What precisely is the organic certification status of farms in China? Are you suggesting that there are organizations in place there that can give us the same assurance as the USDA organic certification? I don't see that this is explained.

As to your saying that it sounds like I'm a Whole Foods hater, that's hardly the truth. I'm someone who would like to ensure the authentic organic-ness of food that I purchase. If you read the quote at the top of this page or, better yet, follow the link to the Whole Foods Market Forums where that quote came from (and that original discussion is still there), that's where the member(s) noted that some of the 365 brand products originated in China. Since China doesn't have the best record of ensuring that products it produces and/or exports are healthy, what's wrong with asking questions?

You know, we've published very pro-Whole Foods Market articles here and have shopped there for decades. Please show me where we "nit pick everything WF is trying to do" — you won't find it because it doesn't exist.

Now, if you want to say that anyone who doesn't agree with everything someone does or questions something a company does — especially when they discover something that might be questionable — is a "hater", I'd say that's an interesting spin.

Whole Foods Market is certified by CCOF, an independent, USDA-accredited, third-party certifier. CCOF's Organic Certification Program for retailers verifies that we handle organic goods according to stringent USDA guidelines. The CCOF audit process confirms that we:

•Examine the current organic certification status of our organic products
•Maintain an extensive record-keeping process that demonstrates a fully traceable audit trail for our organic products
•Ensure our organic products are appropriately protected from commingling with conventional products and contamination with prohibited materials
•Train store team members in the handling practices of organic product
•Open our stores to on-site inspections by CCOF inspectors

And it does sound to me like you're a WF hater. I can't believe that you nit pick everything WF is trying to do. They are an organic grocery store but do not claim that everything in the store is organic. They clearly label products that are not (i.e. conventional veggies, etc), and all products are labeled with country of origin. If you are so worried that WF is not protecting their consumers with their strict values (way more strict than any other grocery store I've shopped in) than maybe it's not the store for you. You could always shop at a "regular" grocery store that has no values for their customers or for the welfare of the animals. If you only want locally grown items, have you thought about a local food co-op?

Although it's not explained what the organic certification means regarding retail stores, they do say:

All Whole Foods Market retail stores in the United States are "certified organic." Additionally, we have facilities and product lines that have also been "certified organic" through their own organic handling plans …

What "organic handling plans"?

Look, we've been shopping at Whole Foods since it took over Mrs. Gooch's in Los Angeles in … I think the 1980's. I'm hardly against Whole Foods (and I know that not all the food it carries is organic). What I'm not too happy with is not being sure of the origin of some of the food labeled organic.

That is, after all, part of the duty of the consumer … to ensure that what you're getting is what you think you're getting.

So, since you say:

WF requires 3rd party investigations on the farms that they purchase from IN ADDITION to the USDA organic approval.

and you seem to know something about it, I'd ask … who and what precisely are conducting third party investigations of farms outside of the U.S.?