Organic 101 – What IS Allowed …

Organic 101: Allowed and Prohibited Substances

The basic rule for organic agriculture is to allow natural substances and prohibit synthetic. For livestock like these healthy cows, however, vaccines play an important part in animal health—especially since antibiotic therapy is prohibited. (Photo courtesy Pleasantview Farm, an Ohio certified organic dairy farm)

This is the second  installment of the Organic 101 series that explores different aspects of the USDA organic regulations and was written and Posted by Miles McEvoy, National Organic Program Director, on January 25, 2012 at 5:36 PM

Organic standards are designed to allow natural substances in organic farming while prohibiting synthetic substances. The National List of Allowed and Prohibited Substances—a component of the organic standards—lists the exceptions to this basic rule.

The substances which should be allowed or prohibited  is designed by law by The National Organic Standards Board (NOSB) which is advised by the National Organic Program (NOP).  Made up of dedicated public volunteers appointed by the Secretary of Agriculture, board members include organic growers, handlers, retailers, environmentalists, scientists, USDA-accredited certifying agents and consumer advocates.

NOSB members must use specific criteria when voting, including the need for the substance and its impacts on human health and the environment.  In specific cases, the NOSB also votes to allow non-organic versions of a substance if it isn’t available in organic form on a scale large enough to support organic agriculture.

Some synthetic substances are listed as exceptions to the basic rule and are allowed for use in organic agriculture.  For instance, pheromones have long been used as an effective, non-toxic way to “confuse” insects that may otherwise infest organic crops, especially fruit. Likewise, vaccines for animals are important disease prevention tools against many infectious diseases, especially since antibiotic therapy is prohibited in organic livestock.

The National List also allows certain processing aids, such as baking soda. This substance lightens (or leavens) the dough for organic pancakes, baked goods, and other products.

Conversely, some substances like strychnine and arsenic are examples of natural toxic substances that are prohibited in organic production.

The process for adding or removing allowed substances is an open process, allowing for direct input from the organic community.  The process typically follows these steps:

1. An individual or organization submits a formal petition to add, remove, or change the listing for a specific substance.
2. NOSB sub-committee reviews the petition. A third-party technical report is often used to gather scientific information about the substance and to identify any negative impacts to human health or the environment.
3. The NOSB sub-committee publishes a proposed recommendation for the substance with request for public comments before a public meeting, typically held twice per year.
4. During the meeting, the NOSB discusses the public comments related to the petition and then votes in a public forum. All NOSB meetings are free and open to the public.
5. The NOP reviews the NOSB’s recommendation. The NOP can reject the NOSB’s recommendation to add a substance to the National List, but can’t add a substance that hasn’t been recommended by the NOSB.
6. If the NOP agrees with the NOSB’s recommendation, it initiates rulemaking to amend the National List for that substance.

Through this process the NOSB devotes countless hours to discussing the range of perspectives on each substance under their review. The public comment process plays an important role in ensuring that all perspectives are considered thoroughly.

Since this citizen advisory board represents all key sectors of the organic community, the NOSB’s recommendations provides the NOP with invaluable insight into which substances should be allowed or prohibited in organic agriculture. The NOP invites the public to participate in this process as we shape the future of organic agriculture.

As Always, Stay Informed …

Bob

Organic 101: What’s NOT Allowed

Organic 101:

What Organic Farming (and Processing) Doesn’t Allow

This is the first in series of Organic 101 pieces that will explore the different rules within the USDA organic regulations.  They were written by Posted by Miles McEvoy, National Organic Program Director, on December 16, 2011 at 2:39 PM

(This is some heady stuff about Organic Farming, Processing, and Organic Food in General … so you might want to take an aspirin first).

When it comes to organic foods, it’s just as important to know what isn’t allowed as what is.  The organic standards are process-based, meaning they establish the rules for an entire system of farming that follows a product from its beginnings on the farm all the way to retail.

Organic products are managed according to:

• Defined processes for planting,
• Growing,
• Raising, and
• Handling.

For example, the USDA organic label on dairy or meat products means:

That the animals from which it originated were raised in living conditions that accommodated their natural behaviors, without being administered hormones or antibiotics, and while grazing on pasture grown on healthy soil. Then during processing the meat or dairy product was handled in a facility that was inspected by an organic certifier and processed without any artificial colors, preservatives, or flavors before being packaged to avoid contact with any prohibited, nonorganic substances.

A very important part of the process-based regulatory framework is the prohibition of certain methods in organic production and handling. Methods like irradiation, sewage sludge, and genetic engineering are all expressly prohibited from being used when growing or processing organic foods.

Genetic engineering in particular has drawn a lot of attention and concern from consumers and the organic community.

In April 2011, the National Organic Program (NOP), a part of the USDA’sAgricultural Marketing Service, issued a policy memo that explained the relationship between genetically modified organisms (GMO) and food production under the organic standards.

The USDA organic regulations prohibit the use of GMOs (Genetically Modified Organisms), listing them as “excluded methods,” and defining those methods as “a variety of methods to genetically modify organisms or influence their growth and development by means that are not possible under natural conditions or processes….

Such prohibited methods include:

• Cell fusion,
• Microencapsulation and
• Macroencapsulation, and
• Recombinant DNA technology (including gene deletion, gene doubling, introducing a foreign gene, and changing the positions of genes when achieved by recombinant DNA technology).”

To prevent GMOs from being introduced into organic production, producers do not use genetically modified seeds or other materials when planting crops.  They also work with their certifiers to implement preventative practices that effectively buffer their farms from GMO contamination.

Organic food handlers and processors also ensure that their ingredients are not produced from excluded methods.  Certifying agents review and audit all of ingredients–not only the agricultural ingredients but also others that are allowed in organic processing, like baking soda, yeast, dairy cultures, and vitamins–to verify that they are not genetically modified.

All of these measures are documented in operations’ organic systems plans, a crucial element of USDA organic certification that outlines detailed practices and procedures addressing how operators comply with the requirements of the organic regulations.

No matter where the product is grown or how the product is made, if it has the USDA Organic label on it, genetic engineering or genetically modified organisms are not allowed.

As Always, Stay Informed …

Bob

Look for part 2 of this series where we will explain the process for approving or prohibiting substances in organic foods.

FYI – Linked to food allergies per EPA

This info is directly from the EPA …

Tap Water Dangers with Pesticides causing food allergies …

Pests live where they are not wanted or cause harm to crops, people or animals. Pesticides can help get rid of them. Though you may think of pesticides as insect killers, they include chemicals to control weeds, rodents, mildew, germs and more. Many household products contain pesticides.

Pesticides can protect your health by killing germs, animals or plants that could hurt you. However, most pesticides can be harmful to people or pets. You might want to try non-chemical methods first. If you do need a pesticide, use it correctly. Be especially careful around children and pets. Disposing of pesticides properly is also important – it can help protect the environment.

Biologically-based pesticides are becoming more popular. They often are safer than traditional pesticides.

Environmental Protection Agency

As Always, Stay Informed …

Bob

What Does that Sticker Really Mean?

What the Sticker on Your Produce Actually Means

Price Look-Up codes (PLUs) are printed on the small stickers attached to fresh produce at the grocery store.

These codes are used to make check-out and inventory control easier for the store.

They also tell you key pieces of information about the produce, such as how it was grown.

• Conventionally grown food
  • Has four-digit number, such as 4011 for bananas.
• Organic food =  
  • First digit = 9
  • Has five-digit number, such as 94011 for bananas.
• Genetically modified food =
  • First digit = 8,
  • Has five-digit number, such as 84805 for a vine ripe tomato.

PLU codes are created by an international body and can be searched online.
If the sticker also has the USDA organic seal, then you know it’s been certified by the government through the National Organic Program.

To be certified, products must be inspected and meet the USDA regulations.

As Always, Stay Informed …

Bob