and to document their review in their recommendation. This request resulted in
an unprecedented layer of scrutiny which included the NOP asking the NOSB to
develop a policy that would clarify the future review of “other ingredients.” Recognizing public comment both for and against various aspects of each ingredient,
NOSB finally agreed that DHA and ARA are essential, and voted to allow the materials provided hexane extraction forms are prohibited, and any agricultural
“other ingredients” must be organic.
In addition to evidence presented by the petitioner that the nutrients are produced without the use of GMOs, NOP clarified that certifiers evaluate the GMO
status of an approved material at the time a certified operator requests its use.
Chlorine. NOSB voted to amend
the annotation for chlorine materials
used in food handling to be consistent
with recent NOP guidance on chlorine
use. This change will permit use of
chlorine up to maximum label rates
for sanitation of equipment. Additionally, it permits labeled uses in direct
contact with products such as fruit or
vegetables, as long as there is a potable
water rinse with no higher than drinking water levels after use. Chlorine in
water used as an ingredient must also
not be used at levels higher than those
permitted in drinking water.
Handling Materials. NOSB responded to several petitions to add,
amend or remove listings of substances
on the National List. It also made recommendations as part of the 2013
Sunset review. The following list summarizes all recommendations made on
materials used in handling:
• Annatto extract removed from list,
section 205.606
• Arachidonic acid fungal oil (ARA)
added to list 205.605(a) with the
following annotation: “not hexane
extracted; other ingredients that
are agricultural must be organic.”
• Beta-carotene added to 205.606
with annotation amended to “
derived from carrots or algae”
(CAS#7235-40-7).
• Docosahexaenoic (DHA) algal oil
added to 205.6069(a) with the following annotation: “not hexane extracted; other ingredients that are
agricultural must be organic.”
• Potassium hydroxide relisted to
205.605(b) with the following annotation: “prohibited for use in lye
peeling of fruits and vegetables except when used for peeling peaches
during the canning or Individually
Quick Frozen (IQF) production
process.”
• Silicon dioxide relisted on
205.605(b) with the following annotation: “for use as a defoamer. May
be used in other applications when
Non-synthetic alternatives are not
