New changes in organic standard inputs in the United States

2013-07-02 from Wugu Network ( http://news.wugu.com.cn/article/20130702/56366.html)

introduction: The Agricultural Market Service (AMS) of the United States Department of Agriculture recently released updated organic standards covering changes in the allowable use of peracetic acid, potassium hydroxide, silicon dioxide, beta-carotene and non-organic rouge oranges in organic production and processing, and this article interprets the new regulations.

On May 28, 2013, the Federal Register published an update to the National List of Licensed and Prohibited Substances in the Organic Standards issued by the Department of Agriculture's Agricultural Market Service (AMS). The revision involves new changes in the requirements for the use of peracetic acid, potassium hydroxide, silicon dioxide, beta-carotene and non-organic annatto in organic production processes.

The National List of Licensed and Prohibited Substances specifies synthetic substances and prohibited natural substances that are permitted to be used in organic production, as well as synthetic substances and natural substances of non-agricultural origin that are permitted to be used in organic processing, and agricultural substances that are not organically produced that are permitted to be used in organic processing.

This amendment prohibits the use of non-organic annatto oranges for organic processing. Anatto oranges will be removed from the list on November 3, 2013. After that, there will be a 12-month transition period. During this period, processing plants should change the formula and label. This means that after November 3, 2014, only annatto oranges that have passed organic certification can be used for organic processing. The reason for the National Organic Standards Committee is that organic annatto is already available on the market and in sufficient quantities.

Silica, as a permitted composition, is used as a processing aid in food processing. This revision limits the scope of use and allows it to be used as a defoamer. When organic rice husk is not available on the market, it can also be used for other purposes. In the definition of organic terms in the US standard, the market can be defined as: organic production inputs can be produced in large quantities in the appropriate form, quantity and quality to achieve the basic functions of organic production and processing. This means that although organic rice husk can be obtained in the market, when the organic rice husk cannot completely replace the function of silica, it can still be understood that the market cannot be obtained, and silica can be used as an auxiliary. The amendment will enter into force on November 3, 2013.

Peracetic acid, used as a disinfectant and cleaning agent for the disinfection of instruments, seeds and plant materials for sexual reproduction, and for the control of fire blight bacteria in pest control. At the same time, hydrogen peroxide products that have been approved for use are allowed to contain peracetic acid at a concentration not exceeding 6%, which should be marked on the product label. Compared with the original standard: increased hydrogen peroxide products can contain no more than 6% concentration of peracetic acid provisions. This amendment came into force on 29 May 2013.

Potassium hydroxide, prohibited for lye peeling of fruits and vegetables, except peach peeling. Compared with the original standard, the restrictions on the peeling of peaches in the rapid freezing (IQF) process have been removed, meaning that potassium hydroxide can be used in any process of peach peeling. During the consultation, it was suggested that potassium hydroxide should be completely banned in machining, because EU standards and the International Federation of Organic Movement standards stipulate that potassium hydroxide is not allowed in organic processing. However, the Agricultural Market Service (AMS) of the United States Department of Agriculture believes that according to the regulations of the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA), potassium hydroxide is safe to be used as a processing aid in peach peeling process, and its substitute is not available on the market, therefore, this opinion was not adopted. This amendment came into force on 29 May 2013.

β-carotene, extracted from carrots or algae (pigment CAS#7235-40-7), compared with the original standard: β-carotene source increases algae, and at the same time, the pigment number changes from CAS#1393-63-1 to CAS#7235-40-7. The amendment came into force on 29 May 2013.

Extended reading:

the National List of Permitted and Prohibited Substances of the United States Organic Standard can be amended as needed. The specific procedures are as follows:

(a) Under the Act, any person may request the National Organic Standards Committee to add or remove a substance from the National Material List.

(B) Requests for amendments to the National Bill of Material require an application process form from the USDA (address see (c)).

(c) Requests for revision of the national inventory must be submitted to: Program Manager,USDA/AMS/TMP/NOP,1400 Independence Ave., SW., Room 4008-So., Ag Stop 0268,Washington,DC 20250 (text/Lulu)
 

reference materials: National Organic Program (NOP); Amendments to the National List of Allowed and Prohibited Substances (Crops and Processing) Federal Register A Rule by the Agricultural Marketing Service

Organic changes involve annatto extract, silicon dioxide Food Bussiness News

(Responsible editor: Shixin)