On December 23, 2024, the USDA National Organic Program (NOP) announced the publication of its final rule on Market Development for mushrooms and Pet Food. This significant rule introduces new standards for organic mushroom production and handling, as well as updates for organic pet food.
Key Changes:
- Standardization: The rule also standardizes existing practices for both organic mushroom production and pet food handling.
- Mushroom Production: The rule establishes new standards for mushroom substrate and spawn.
- Pet Food: The rule allows the use of the synthetic amino acid taurine in organic pet food.
Effective Date and Transition Period:
The final rule will become effective on February 21, 2025. All new applications for organic certification submitted after this date must comply with the new regulations. Existing certified operations will have a two-year transition period to implement the changes.
What’s Next?
Our team is currently reviewing the rule in detail to develop and update necessary forms for each scope. We will contact you directly if any updates or additional information is required from your operation.
We encourage you to review the full text of the final rule to understand how these changes may impact your business.