considered by the Board was whether
corn steep liquor is synthetic. In the
past, this material has been considered nonsynthetic (or allowed natural) by stakeholders, including
accredited certifying agents (ACAs)
and the Organic Materials Review Institute (OMRI). It has been used as an
input mostly in liquid fertilizer formulations for organic crop production.
OMRI recently re-evaluated CSL
using NOSB’s 2005 clarifications regarding the classification of synthetic
and nonsynthetic substances. OMRI
concluded that CSL should be classified as synthetic based on the use of
sulfur dioxide during processing.
Those supporting the position that
CSL remain categorized as nonsyn-
thetic argued that while sulfur diox-
ide is used in the production of CSL,
its use does not change the identity of
CSL. Therefore, CSL should be classi-
fied as nonsynthetic because it has
not been chemically changed according to the NOSB definition of
“chemical change.” Comparisons were made between CSL and corn-
starch, which is classified as nonsynthetic and is produced using the
same process as CSL. By contrast, those opposing the recommenda-
tion argued that the use of sulfur dioxide breaks disulphide bonds
during the steeping process, thereby forming new chemicals and ren-
dering CSL synthetic.
