Effective July 26, 2021, additional substances will be allowed for organic production. Specifically, the final rule adds: Oxalic acid dihydrate (added to §205.603) – for use as a pesticide solely in apiculture Nonorganic pullulan (added to §205.605) – for use only in tablets and capsules for dietary supplements labelled “made with organic” Collagen gel (added […]
USDA News
The Best Organic Training for all Operations
If you are responsible for organic compliance for your farm or business, we highly recommend checking out the NOP Organic Integrity Learning Center (OILC). Although most of these courses were written for organic certifiers and inspectors, we find that they are just as beneficial for certified organic operations. These free, fully online courses are an […]
Mexico Trade Update: Take Action Now for Exports in 2022!
Starting January 1, 2022, organic products exported to Mexico will need to have LPO certification. As you may have heard, in December of 2020 the Mexican government published new import requirements for organic products entering Mexico. These new requirements state that all organic products entering Mexico must be certified to Mexico’s LPO standards or come […]
Comment Period Open: NOP Origin of Livestock Proposed Rule
On May 12, the AMS National Organic Program (NOP) will announce in a Federal Register Notice the reopening of the public comment period for the Origin of Livestock proposed rule originally published in 2015. The comment period will be open for 60 days: May 12 – July 12, 2021. The Origin of Livestock Notice proposes […]
Need Help? USDA announces new program and you are likely to benefit!
Here are some highlights: The sign-up for Coronavirus Food Assistance Program (CFAP) will be reopened for at least 60 days beginning on April 5, 2021. The USDA Pandemic Assistance for Producers press release details the 4 parts of the new initiative: (1). Expand Help & Assistance to More Producers, (2.) New Funding to Existing Programs, […]
Opinion: Lithothamnion sp. Coralline Algae Is NOT “Ag,” Should NOT Be Allowed as “Organic” If We Care About The Planet.
March 12, 2021: The USDA released a memo to the National Organic Standards Board (NOSB) to request that they make recommendations to the industry regarding whether or not Lithothamnion calcareus algae species may be certified organic. It’s unclear why the ruling is needed since the NOP informed at least one certifying agency prior to 2008 […]
Hemp Production Final Rule
The Hemp Final Rule–published on January 19, 2021–superseded the Interim Final Rule that established The Domestic Hemp Production Program that was mandated as part of the 2018 Farm Bill. The Final Rule covers the regulations the USDA will follow when it approves the hemp production plans submitted by States and Indian tribes and establishes a […]
US Importers: What you need to know about the changes in the US-India Organic Recognition
If you are a certified operation importing organic products or ingredients from India and you are wondering how the ending of the US-India Organic Recognition will affect your operation, start by asking “What type of NOP (National Organic Program) Certificate does my supplier have?” There are two options: 1: If your supplier has an NPOP-NOP […]
NOP Changing Approach to Organic Oversight in India
“The USDA Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) National Organic Program (NOP) is changing its approach to organic oversight in India. USDA is ending its recognition agreement that has allowed APEDA-accredited certifiers to provide USDA organic certification in India. This change adapts to the evolution of organic supply chains over time and allows USDA to protect farms […]
Tamarind Seed Gum added to the National List, Effective December 7th
On November 5, 2020 the NOP published a final rule amending the National List of Allowed and Prohibited Substances (National List) to add non-organic tamarind seed gum. Tamarind Seed Gum was added to § 205.606, which means it may be used in organic products when organic tamarind seed gum is not commercially available. This ingredient is […]