Category: Department of Agriculture
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NOSB to Remove Five Nonorganic Substances from List of Allowed Substances
The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Organic Standards Board (NOSB) has removed five non-organic nonagricultural substances—egg white lysozyme, cyclohexylamine, diethylaminoethanol, octadecylamine, and tetrasodium pyrophosphate—from the National List of Allowed and Prohibited Substances governing the use of synthetic and non-synthetic substances in organic food production and handling. After determining that these substances “are no longer necessary…
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FTC and USDA Examine Consumer Perceptions of “Organic” Non-Agricultural Products
The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) have released an August 10, 2016, joint report examining consumers’ perceptions of “recycled content” and “organic” claims, especially for non-agricultural products and services. Using data from Internet-based questionnaires completed by 8,016 respondents, the study sought to determine whether consumers view products marketed with such…
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U.S. Codex Delegates Schedule CCPFV Meeting
The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Office of the Under Secretary for Food Safety and Agricultural Marketing Service are convening an August 1, 2016, public meeting in Washington, D.C., to evaluate draft positions and receive public comments in advance of the 28th Session of the Codex Committee on Processed Fruits and Vegetables (CCPFV) slated for September…
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Organic Consumers Association Challenges “Organic” Infant Formula Claims
The Organic Consumers Association (OCA) has filed lawsuits against The Hain Celestial Group, Inc. and The Honest Co., Inc. alleging the companies’ “organic” infant formula products contain multiple substances prohibited for use in organic food by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). Organic Consumers Assoc. v. Hain Celestial Grp., Inc., No. 16-2533 (D.C. Super. Ct.,…
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Cornucopia Institute Lawsuit Challenges “Unqualified Individuals” on NOSB
Public-interest group Cornucopia Institute has filed a lawsuit against Tom Vilsack in his capacity as Secretary of Agriculture alleging that he and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) violated the Organic Foods Production Act of 1990 by appointing “unqualified individuals” to the National Organic Standards Board (NOSB), which develops a list of synthetic substances allowed…
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Salt Institute Disputes Sodium Recommendations in Federal Dietary Guidelines
The Salt Institute has penned an April 11, 2016, letter asking the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to withdraw the sodium provisions included in the 2015-2020 Dietary Guidelines for Americans, which advise individuals to consume less than 2,300 milligrams (mg) per day of sodium. According to the…
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USDA Drafts New Organic Livestock and Poultry Practices
The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA’s) Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) has proposed amendments to organic livestock and poultry production requirements to clarify “how producers and handlers must treat their livestock and poultry to ensure their health and well-being throughout life.” Based on recommendations from the National Organic Standards Board, the draft rules also specify “which…
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NOP Releases National List Petition Guidelines
The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Organic Program (NOP) has published revised National List Petition Guidelines for requesting amendments to the National List of Allowed and Prohibited Substances (National List). According to NOP, the National List not only identifies “the synthetic substances that may be used and the non-synthetic (natural) substances that may not be…