In 2003, the UK Food Safety Agency tested six organic corn meal products and 20 conventional (non-organic) corn meal products for fumonisin contamination.

FORBES: Bittman of the 'New York Times': Always Out To Lunch

However, when in December the USDA indicated that a complete ban on GMO alfalfa was no longer a possible outcome, Organic Valley and the others went to work advocating for a set of strict rules that would serve to protect organic farmers and organic consumers from the threat of GMO contamination.

FORBES: The OrganicGate Scandal

Organic farmer Gerald Miles told the Today programme that he believes there is a risk of contamination to other wheat crops.

BBC: GM researcher: 'Please don't destroy our crop'

Contrary to the claims of know-nothing critics like Bittman, such products are not only environmentally superior to conventional and (especially) organic offerings but would also offer the food industry a proven and practical means of tackling the fungal contamination at its source.

FORBES: Bittman of the 'New York Times': Always Out To Lunch

Organic farmers in the area in particular feared they might lose their hard fought commercial advantage if customers suspected contamination.

BBC: organic carrots being harvested

Last year a group of organic and family farmers sued Monsanto over similar issues, saying the pervasiveness of genetically modified crops elevates the risk of contamination of their crops with patented GMO traits, and raises the risk they will be sued by Monsanto for patent infringement.

MSN: Food safety group calls for court to limit GMO seed patents