WHAT ARE THE IMPLICATIONS OF THE AG APPROPRIATIONS BILL ON ORGANIC LABELING?
It took 10 years for 38 synthetic substances to make their way into products labeled “USDA Organic”, when the Agriculture Appropriations amendments kick in, that number could leap to over 500. Under USDA National Organic Program regulations, these products were only required to contain 95% organic ingredients and they could contain certain synthetic ingredients on the National List. For the first time, the Secretary will have the power to expedite petitions for access to the list of substances that are commercially unavailable in organic form. Right now there are 38 synthetic substances on the National List that have been carefully reviewed and approved by the National Organic Standards Board over the past ten years. Eight more synthetic substances have been reviewed and approved by the NOSB and are awaiting USDA authority to be placed on the National List. The industry has requested that 517 more synthetic substances be approved.
