Target Admits Organic Ad Mistake

MADISON, Wis.USDA said Target Corp. admitted to wrongly advertising soy milk as organic, reports the Associated Press. USDA made the announcement in a letter stating the conclusion of its investigation into a complaint filed by the Cornucopia Institute.

In October 2009, the Cornucopia Institute filed formal complaints with the USDA's organic program, and Wisconsin and Minnesota officials, alleging that Target misled consumers into thinking some conventional food items it sells are organic. They discovered Target nationally advertised Silk soymilk in newspapers with the term "organic" pictured on the carton's label, when in fact the manufacturer, Dean Foods, had shifted their products away from organics.

Minneapolis-based Target issued a statement saying use of the photo was inadvertent and it has updated its procedures to prevent future errors, reports the AP.