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New at NOP?
NOP Open Public Comments - Speak Your Mind!
NOP Meetings, Announcements, and Misc. Material
SPEAK YOUR MIND -
NOP OPEN COMMENTS: All background or corresponding
documents can be accessed by clicking on the link at the top of the notice, or by doing a "Search" on the Docket
ID number at Regulation.gov. You can sign up to receive National Organic Program alerts directly to your email through this link. Beyond Pesticides encourages citizens to submit comments on upcoming decisions through the Regulation.gov website. For step by step directions for online submissions,
see the instruction
webpage.
February 5 2013
The NOP is requesting public comments on the following proposed changes to the National List:
Deadline: March 7, 2013
- Potassium hydroxide
Would be allowed for peeling any processed peaches, rather than limited to peaches that are Individually Quick Frozen.
- Silicon dioxide
Would
be prohibited except (1) if used as a defoamer or (2) if organic rice
hulls are not commercially available in the appropriate form, quality or
quantity to replace its use.
- Beta-carotene extract color
Would be allowed from algae sources if organic beta-carotene is not commercially available.
- Annatto extract color
Would be required to be sourced from organic annatto only.
- Peracetic acid
Would be allowed in hydrogen peroxide formulations and as currently allowed.
View Proposed Rule
Submit Public Comments
January 22 2013
On January 16, 2013,
the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) published in the Federal Register
for public comment two proposed rules:
Standards for the Growing, Harvesting, Packing, and Holding of Produce for Human Consumption
-- Submit Comments to FDA (deadline: 5/16/2013)
Current Good Manufacturing Practice and Hazard Analysis and Risk-Based Preventive Controls for Human Food
-- Submit Comments to FDA (deadline: 5/16/2013)
These
proposed rules are key components of the preventive approach to food
safety established by the 2011 FDA Food Safety Modernization Act.
As
a service to the produce industry we are distributing this link to
FDA's proposed rules for your information and review. This invitation
to comment is being sent to you as a service only, as the USDA has no
formal role in the development or implementation of the proposed rules
for the FDA Food Safety Modernization Act.
The
produce industry, other stakeholders and the general public are being
asked to participate in the rulemaking process by reviewing the proposed
rules and submitting comments to FDA or at the regulations.gov portal by the due date of May 16, 2013.
Your
substantive, specific comments with as much detail as you can provide
as to what works for you and what doesn't work (and why) will help guide
our colleagues at FDA as they draft final rules on produce safety and
preventive controls. The Standards for the Growing, Harvesting,
Packing, and Holding of Produce for Human Consumption and for Current
Good Manufacturing Practice and Hazard Analysis and Risk-Based
Preventive Controls for Human Food will become effective only after the
final rules are published in the Federal Register along with established
compliance dates.
Should
you have questions about FDA's proposed rules on Standards for the
Growing, Harvesting, Packing, and Holding of Produce for Human
Consumption or Current Good Manufacturing Practice and Hazard Analysis
and Risk-Based Preventive Controls for Human Food, or any other
FDA-related issue, please contact our FDA colleagues at:
FSMA@fda.hhs.gov or
Food and Drug Administration
Attn: FSMA Outreach
5100 Paint Branch Pkwy.
Wiley Building, HFS-009
College Park, MD 20740
NOP
MEETINGS, ANNOUNCEMENTS, AND MISC. MATERIAL
February 1 2013
Cell Fusion in Organic Seed Production Policy Memo
In the scientific literature, cell fusion is defined as the fusing of two cells to form a single cell.
In response to inquiries, the NOP developed a policy addressing when cell fusion is considered an excluded method:
- Cell fusion
techniques involving recombinant DNA technology or different taxonomic
families are considered excluded methods. Seeds produced from these
techniques are prohibited in organic production.
- Seeds
produced from cell fusion used as part of traditional breeding
techniques that do not involve recombinant DNA technology may be used in
organic production.
View Policy Memo 13-1
Cell Fusion Techniques Used in Organic Seed Production
December 13 2012
Organic Wine Oversight, Labeling, and Trade
Like all organic
products, organic wine must meet all USDA organic requirements. Organic
alcoholic beverages must also meet Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade
Bureau (TTB) regulations.
NOP's new wine fact sheet summarizes the requirements for wine:
Are we missing
information? Have suggestions? Please email
us!
