10-Min. Merchandiser

The concerned customer approached the produce clerk stocking the banana display. “The conventional bananas are stacked right up against and touching the organic bananas I want to buy. Doesn’t that uh, defeat the purpose?”

The clerk guessed otherwise and reasoned, “Well, because you eat the inside of the fruit, the outside skins touching each other won’t hurt anything.”

Who is right?

The customer is right, of course. (The customer is always right, remember?) Beyond the customer service is the topic of commingling, or the undesirable mixing of conventional and organic produce. click image to zoomArmand LobatoCommingling can happen very easily. This display of organic apples butted up against a conventional display is avoidable with a divider tall enough to prevent mixing.

As conventional chains choose to carry more organic produce, it’s more likely commingling will happen at some point. You have a responsibility to keep organic items separate from conventional so the customer is assured that they’re getting exactly what the sign says; exactly what they’re paying for.

Commingling defined

Commingling occurs whenever the integrity of organic product is compromised: When organic items are touching or integrated into conventional displays; repacked into cartons, containers, or even handled in prep areas previously used for conventional produce. According to the Organic Trade Association guidelines, “Organic food must not be commingled with or otherwise contaminated by a conventional product in handling or in storage practices.”

Control Points to Avoid Commingling *

1.  Warehouse

Ideally, a warehouse should handle organics separately, with dedicated reserve and pick slots. This isn’t always feasible, so delegate someone to ensure proper storage procedures are followed. The most frequent commingling happens when conventional wet or iced product is stored above organic products. Similarly, training order selectors about commingling is important to avoid stacking wet conventional on top of organic on combined pallets, or stacking wet conventional pallets on top of organic inside of the trailers, loaded and bound for the stores. click image to zoomArmand LobatoWet Rack Commingling can occur, even when displays are separate. No conventional wet items should be placed above organic, otherwise the resulting, dripping water Could compromise the integrity of the organic below.

2.  In-store storage

Avoid commingling by designating space in the storage or cooler area, devoted to organic-only. Store and separate all items so the labeling clearly defines what is conventional and what is organic to avoid confusion. Similar to the warehouse guideline, never stack wet conventional on top of or above organic items. Also, never repack or store organic items in containers previously used for conventional product.

3.  Retail prep areas

Organic integrity is compromised if product is washed or crisped in water immediately following washing or crisping conventional produce.  The integrity is also at risk if organic items are cut or otherwise prepared on cutting boards or other surfaces handled with conventional product. These areas must be cleaned between handling. Contamination can also occur if organic comes into contact with cleaning products. 

4.  Displays

Take care to avoid commingling with like-conventional items in display areas. If an organic display is next to a conventional display, make sure it is separated by a divider tall enough to prevent contact between the two (if one of the products has a natural barrier, such as product packaged in a plastic bag, then the divider is not necessary). Also, organic produce should not be placed in a display directly below conventional items where dripping may occur or water is used. Further, it is recommended that any case liners, shelves, display baskets, or other containers previously used for conventional be washed and dried before using for organic displays.

 Note: Once compromised (or for whatever other reason) a retailer can still sell commingled product. The product simply loses its organic designation-and can be signed and sold as conventional.

The last word - Why is Commingling a Concern?

Organic produce should be regarded as separate SKU’s, unique in that the consumer has a distinct expectation, and is often willing to pay a premium for the product. This means in order to deliver what the shopper wants, all normal and customary procedures must be followed--just as similar procedures are followed when handling conventional produce. It’s comes down to a matter of trust between the retailer and consumer.

Whether the produce is conventional or organic, this trust should never be compromised.

 *Numbered Points by the Organic Trade Association (GORP) Manual, March 2001.