NOP Allows Continued Use of 12 Substances in Organic Production

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Organic Program (NOP) has issued a final rule renewing exemptions for 12 substances on the National List of Allowed and Prohibited Substances, which governs the use of synthetic and nonsynthetic ingredients in organic production and handling. After reviewing public input, the National Organic Standards Board recommended renewals for the following substances set to expire in September 2011: (i) ferric phosphate and hydrogen chloride (synthetic substances used in organic farming); (ii) egg white lysozyme, L-Malic acid and microorganisms (nonsynthetic, nonorganic substances used as ingredients and in processed organic products); and (iii) activated charcoal, cyclohexylamine, diethylaminoethanol, octadecylamine, peracetic acid/peroxyacetic acid, sodium acid pyrophosphate, and tetrasodium pyrophosphate (synthetic, nonorganic substances used as ingredients and in processed organic produces). The final rule becomes effective September 12, 2011.