A New Zealand scientist has invented a test to discover if vegetables have been grown organically.
GNS Science's Karyne Rogers said she developed the test to stop people being "fobbed off by someone else's half-baked organic vegetables", the Dominion Post reported today.
The isotope test looks at base elements in vegetables, and shows whether they were raised with organic manure or industrial fertiliser.
Organic materials contain isotopes such as carbon and nitrogen.
A criteria for organic vegetables was that only organic fertiliser, usually manure, could be used.
Dr Rogers said the test showed results within 10 days and was cheap.
It could also show whether vegetables had been grown hydroponically or in soil, she said.
Commonsense Organics managing director Jim Kebbell said while there was already a certification process for organic growers, the test looked useful.
The Commerce Commission has brought two prosecutions over false claims of organic food -- both involving butchers.
