Tag Archives: ORGANIC

USDA Testimony Sparks Debate Over Allowing Gene Editing for Food Labeled as Organic

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The National Organic Program (NOP) of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) works with the National Organic Standards Board (NOSB) to develop standards involving the production, handling, and processing of ingredients that may be used in products bearing the label “USDA organic.”  Under the current requirements for organic labeling, genetic engineering is a prohibited method … Continue Reading

USDA Amends National List of Allowed and Prohibited Substances for Organic Handling or Production

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The United States Department of Agriculture’s (USDA’s) Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) is responsible for maintaining the National List of Allowed and Prohibited Substances (the “National List”) for organic handling and production as part of the National Organic Program (NOP) under the Organic Foods Production Act of 1990 (OFPA; Public Law 101-624, Nov. 28, 1990).  The … Continue Reading

USDA Publishes Final Rule Amending the National List of Allowed and Prohibited Substances for Organic Handling or Production

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The United States Department of Agriculture’s (USDA’s) Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) is responsible for maintaining the National List of Allowed and Prohibited Substances (the “National List”) for organic handling and production as part of the National Organic Program (NOP) under the Organic Foods Production Act of 1990 (OFPA; Public Law 101-624, Nov. 28, 1990).  The … Continue Reading

Former Director of the FDA’s Office of Biotechnology Pens Op-Ed Criticizing FDA Enforcement on Organic Labeling, FDA Commissioner Pledges to Look at Labeling Claims in Organics

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In a Wall Street Journal op-ed, Dr. Henry Miller, the former founding director of the FDA’s Office of Biotechnology, criticizes FDA as giving organic food labeling and advertisement “a complete pass.”  The author calls out FDA’s lack of enforcement on claims that organic foods are grown “without toxic or persistent pesticides,” noting that in fact, … Continue Reading

Senate Released Bipartisan Draft of Farm Bill

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As previously reported on this blog, in March 2018, House Agricultural Committee Chairman Michael Conway delayed the release of the draft law renewing farm and nutrition programs due to opposition to cuts to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). SNAP offers nutrition assistance to more than 47 million eligible, low-income individuals and families, and is … Continue Reading

Reopening of Public Comment Period for USDA’s Proposed Amendments to the National List of Allowed and Prohibited Substances under the Organic Foods Production Act

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  The public comment period for the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Agricultural Marketing Service’s (AMS) proposed rule describing 35 amendments to the National List of Allowed and Prohibited Substances (Crops, Livestock and Handling) was to have closed on March 19, 2018. On Friday, at the request of multiple stakeholders, USDA reopened the comment period … Continue Reading

Food Policy Summary

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In the last week there have been a number of interesting developments in food policy.  Each is in early development, but worthy of a brief note. President Trump, in a meeting regarding Chinese tariffs with Republican lawmakers from agricultural states, indicated a willingness to reconsider participation in the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP), perhaps as a means … Continue Reading

Organic Products Can Still Use Carrageenan

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The United States Department of Agriculture’s Agricultural Marketing Service (USDA AMS) administers the National Organic Program (NOP) under the authority of the Organic Foods Production Act of 1990 (NOP), as amended (7 U.S.C. 6501-6524).  The regulations implementing the NOP (7 CFR Part 205) includes the National List of synthetic substances that may be used and … Continue Reading

USDA Withdraws Organic Livestock and Poultry Practice (OLPP) Final Rule

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As previously reported on this blog, USDA published the Organic Livestock and Poultry Practices (OLPP) final rule on January 19, 2017. The rule established minimum indoor and outdoor space requirements for chickens based on the type of production and stage of life, as well as added new provisions for livestock handling and transport for slaughter. … Continue Reading

Congress Weighs Bill to Combat Food Fraud

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The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) administers the National Organic Program (NOP), which includes standards for “organic” food in the United States.  Throughout 2017, The Washington Post has published several stories calling into question the authenticity of products from some of the largest “organic” producers of milk, eggs and imported grains. Congress is currently considering legislation that would increase … Continue Reading

USDA Announces Intention to Withdraw Organic Livestock and Poultry Practices Final Rule

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As previously covered on this blog, on January 19, 2017, USDA published a controversial final rule on organic livestock and poultry which establishes minimum indoor and outdoor space requirements for chickens as a function of type of production and stage of life, as well as adds new provisions for livestock handling and transport for slaughter. 82 FR 7042.  The effective date for … Continue Reading

USDA Further Delays Organic Livestock and Poultry Practices Rule

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As previously covered on this blog, on January 19, 2017, USDA published a controversial final rule on organic livestock and poultry which establishes minimum indoor and outdoor space requirements for chickens as a function of type of production and stage of life, as well as adds new provisions for livestock handling and transport for slaughter. 82 FR 7042.  The effective date for … Continue Reading

NOSB Votes Against Banning Hydroponic Crops from Organic Certification

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The National Organic Program (NOP) of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) administers the Organic Foods Production Act of 1990 (OFPA) (Public Law 101-624, Nov. 28, 1990).  The NOP works with the National Organic Standards Board (NOSB) to develop organic standards.  More specifically, the NOSB is a Federal Advisory Board, established by OFPA, that considers … Continue Reading

Study: Consumers Confuse “Organic” and “Non-GMO” Labels

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A study by the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences surveyed 1,132 respondents to examine their willingness to pay for food labeled as “USDA Organic” versus “Non-GMO Project Verified.” In particular, the researchers measured respondents’ willingness to pay for a box of 12 granola bars and a pound of apples. When consumers … Continue Reading

USDA Further Delays Effective Date for Organic Livestock and Poultry Practices Rule

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As previously covered on this blog, on January 19, 2017, USDA published a controversial final rule on organic livestock and poultry which establishes minimum indoor and outdoor space requirements for chickens as a function of type of production and stage of life, as well as adds new provisions for livestock handling and transport for slaughter. 82 FR 7042.  The effective date for … Continue Reading

Organic Industry Continues Double-Digit Growth in U.S. and Abroad

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As our readership is well aware, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) administers the National Organic Program (NOP), which includes standards for “organic” food in the United States. The NOP accredits and oversees approximately 80 businesses and state governments that directly certify organic farms and businesses.  The number of certified operations has increased since the count … Continue Reading

USDA Delays Final Rule on Organic Livestock and Poultry Practices

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As previously covered on this blog, on January 19, 2017, USDA published a controversial final rule on organic livestock and poultry which establishes minimum indoor and outdoor space requirements for chickens as a function of type of production and stage of life. 82 FR 7042. On February 9, 2017, USDA published a Notice in the Federal Register delaying the … Continue Reading

USDA Sets Tougher Animal-Welfare Standards for Organic Farming in Recently Published Final Rule

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As consumers increasingly demand ethically-minded foods such as “Cage Free” and “Pasture Raised”, animal welfare has become a hot-button issue in the food industry.  Coupled with a heightened focus from animal welfare advocacy groups on animal raising conditions, several states have been considering imposing minimum size requirements for farm animal containment.  And this past November, … Continue Reading

Organic Developments: INTEGRITY Database Improvements

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USDA’s National Organic Program recently held a webinar updating the public on developments surrounding improvements to its Organic INTEGRITY Database. As our readership is well aware, organic production in the U.S. is regulated by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Organic Program (NOP) under the Organic Foods Production Act of 1990 (OFPA) (Public Law 101-624, … Continue Reading

Organic Industry Calls for Federal Policies to Strengthen Integrity of the Organic Seal

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The organic industry, led by the Organic Trade Association, has called for federal policies to ensure “organic” always means “organic”. Organic production in the U.S. is regulated by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Organic Program (NOP) under the Organic Foods Production Act of 1990 (OFPA) (Public Law 101-624, Nov. 28, 1990).  The national standards … Continue Reading

Organic Melee: USDA Loses Latest Round in Legal Challenge Over Synthetics in Organic Production

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A district court judge has denied USDA’s motion to dismiss a lawsuit alleging that the Agency illegally changed its process for reviewing synthetic substances used in organic production. By way of background, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) administers the National Organic Program (NOP), which includes standards for “organic” food in the United States.  The … Continue Reading

“Natural” and “Organic” Growth

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The continued uptick in “Natural” and “Organic” claims combined with increased consumer confusion concerns may result in new and strengthened federal regulations. (subscription to Bloomberg BNA required) Foods sporting “natural” and “organic” claims are on the rise in response to increasing consumer demand for cleaner, “healthier” foods.  The growth in “natural” foods, in particular, continues despite the … Continue Reading

Fishy Business: Organic Aquaculture Rule Flounders at OMB

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Industry awaits USDA’s Proposed Organic Aquaculture Rule which has been undergoing OMB review for the past year. Today marks one year since USDA sent its proposed organic aquaculture standards to the White House Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review.  If and when this rule is released and finalized, the rule will set the … Continue Reading

NOP Clarifies Post-Harvest Handling Rules

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NOP issues final guidance on substances that may be used in post-harvest handling of organic products. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) administers the National Organic Program (NOP), which includes standards for “organic” food in the United States.  The use of synthetic substances generally is prohibited in organic foods, with the exception of specific materials … Continue Reading
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