USDA Issues Final Guidance on Post-Harvest Handling of Organic Products

The National Organic Program has issued final guidance for accredited
certifying agents and certified and exempt organic operations to clarify
federal regulations about substances used in the post-harvest washing,
packing and storage of organic products. The document specifically
addresses: “(1) What substances may be used for post-harvest handling;
(2) the difference between ‘post-harvest handling of raw agricultural
commodities’ and ‘further processing’; and (3) the regulatory requirements
for facility pest management.” See Federal Register, January 15,
2016.

Issue 590