Colorado State University Extension
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SAFEFOOD NEWS - Winter/Spring 2001 - Vol 5, No. 2/3

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National Standards for Organic Food

The final national standards for the production, handling, and processing of organically grown agricultural products was released December 2000. Most will recall that the USDA published a proposed rule in 1997 and subsequently received over 275,000 comments. The second draft was released in March 2000, receiving an additional 40,000 comments. After incorporating many of the comments into the final rule, it is now available to assist farmers, consumers and the organic industry.

The new organic standard offers a national definition for the term "organic." It details the methods, practices and substances that can be used in producing and handling organic crops and livestock, as well as processed products. It establishes clear organic labeling criteria and specifically prohibits the use of genetic engineering methods, ionizing radiation, and sewage sludge for fertilization.

The Organic Foods Production Act (OFPA) of 1990 and the National Organic Program (NOP) require that agricultural products labeled as organic originate from farms or handling operations certified by a state or private agency that has been accredited by the U. S. Department of Agriculture. All organic operations must comply with this certification process unless their gross agricultural income from organic sales totals $5,000 or less.

The organic labeling requirements are based on the percentage of organic ingredient in a product.

• 100% Organic Foods labeled "100 % organic" must contain only organically produced ingredients. These products cannot be produced using excluded methods, sewage sludge, or ionizing radiation.
• Organic Foods labeled "organic" must consist of at least 95% organically produced ingredients. These products cannot be produced using excluded methods, sewage sludge, or ionizing radiation.
• Made with Organic Ingredients Processed foods that contain at least 70% organic ingredients can use the phrase "made with organic ingredients." These products cannot be produced using excluded methods, sewage sludge, or ionizing radiation.
• Less than 70% Organic Ingredients Processed products that contain less than 70% organic ingredients cannot use the term organic anywhere on the principal display panel. However, they may identify the specific ingredients that are organically produced on the ingredients statement.

Consumers will begin to see new organic labeling on products in their local grocery stores by this summer, with full implementation by mid-2002.

Sources: 1) Glickman Announces National Standards for Organic Food. USDA Press Release, December 20, 2000. 2) National Organic Program Overview and Labeling and Marketing Information. National Organic Program, December 2000. NOP articles can be located at: www.ams.usda.gov/nop/nop2000/nop/proposed_rule.htm

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