Washington, D.C.— On January 19, 2017, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) National Organic Standards Board (NOSB) recommendedremoving 11 substancesfrom the National List of Allowed and Prohibited Substances for use in organic production or as ingredients or on processed products labeled as “organic.”

The 11 substances include lignin sulfonate, furosemide, magnesium carbonate, Chia, dillweed oil, frozen galangal, inulin, frozen lemongrass, chipotle chile peppers, turkish bay leaves, and whey protein concentrate. Each substance was up for an annual five year review period and was recommended during a 2017 sunset review.

In order for substances to be used in or processed in organic or made with organic foods, NOSB evaluates technical information, public comments, and supporting evidence of whether the substance is “harmful to human health or the environment, no longer necessary for organic production due to the availability of alternative wholly nonsynthetic substitute products or practices, or if the substances is inconsistent with organic farming and handling practices.”

A 60 day comment period is also currently in effect.

Posted on WholeFoods Magazine Online, 1/25/2017