NOSB Update: Personal Care Certification Denied
USDA’s National Organic Program (NOP) recently posted a statement in response to National Organic Standards Board (NOSB) recommendations on various provisions that had been raised by NOP a year ago. Included was a statement prohibiting the certification of personal care products to NOP organic standards. Private certification is allowed, but no personal care product may be certified to the NOP standard or carry the USDA seal.

“USDA’s position is that personal care products and cosmetics cannot use the ‘USDA Organic’ seal at all even if companies have met national organic standards requirements for food. This is very disappointing to those companies that have worked diligently to become certified,” says Katherine DiMatteo, OTA’s executive director. USDA, however, has indicated that companies will be allowed to list as organic on the label any agricultural ingredients in the products that are certified to NOP standards, and truthful front-panel claims, such as the percentage of organic ingredients, may be made.

In its posting, NOP also said it will allow fishmeal preserved with natural substances as a feed additive or supplement, and only allow approved known inert materials in pesticide formulations. It also upheld the prohibition of antibiotic use for organically produced livestock and said it will consider drafting a rule to address the issue of the length of time dairy livestock must be managed organically before dairy products may be sold as organic.
NOP has already set in motion NOSB’s recommendation for forming a task force to consider organic standards for farm-raised and wild-caught fish and seafood. It also initiated a pet food task force to address organic labeling for this category, and said it will pursue additional rulemaking to cover organic standards for mushrooms, apiculture and honey, and greenhouse operations. See www.ams.usda.gov/nop/NOP/PolicyStatements/USDANOSBFeedback3_10_05.pdf for more information.


Industry Stats Show Worldwide Growth
According to an International Federation of Organic Agriculture Movement (IFOAM) study, The World of Organic Agriculture: Statistics and Emerging Trends 2005, 36 countries achieved organic mega-country status in 2004, meaning more than 50,000 hectares of certified organic land are currently being cultivated. In total, more than 26 million hectares of land are currently certified worldwide, generating more than $25 billion in revenue in 2003.

Sales of organic juices are projected to expand by 21.4% in 2005, according to a report from the Organic Monitor (www.organicmonitor.com). Increasing distribution in mainstream retailers is driving market growth. Although natural food shops comprise 59% of the market share, they are projected to be overtaken by conventional grocery channels in 2007.

A new study by Organic Monitor finds the UK to have the second largest organic meat market in the world with sales increasing by 139% between 2001 and 2004 (www.organicmonitor.com).


Seafood Labeling Law is COOL
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) finalized Country of Origin Labeling (COOL) requirements for seafood in September 2004, and regulations went into effect April 4, 2005. Fish and shellfish sold at supermarkets must now carry labels that identify the country of origin and whether they are farm-raised or wild-caught (www.ams.usda.gov/cool/index.htm).

“COOL requirements are a boon for seafood consumers,” says Dr. Rebecca Goldburg, USDA Environmental Defense senior scientist. “Now shoppers will be able to know what they are buying.”

“COOL helps consumers purchase seafood that is good for the environment and low in contaminants like mercury and PCBs,” adds Tim Fitzgerald, environmental defense researcher. “By identifying where seafood comes from and how it is produced, COOL allows consumers to better incorporate such information into their purchasing decisions.”

Quality Assurance International (QAI), an NSF International company, announced the appointment of David Abney to vice president and general manager (www.qai-inc.com). Abney will lead the implementation of new systems to expedite QAI’s certification processes. NSF International completed the acquisition of QAI last March to advance QAI’s strategic plans and expand NSF’s outreach in organic certification. QAI and CERT ID (CID), the world leader in non-GMO certification also announced a joining of forces to offer organic and non-GMO certifications to food companies (www.cert-id.com). The collaboration allow companies to meet demands for organic and non-GMO certification.

Bernward Geier, Director for International Relations of the International Federation of Organic Agriculture Movement (IFOAM) is leaving the federation at the end of August this year (www.ifoam.org). The official farewell will take place in September at the IFOAM Organic World Congress in Adelaide, Australia.

The Organic Trade Association (OTA) recently held elections for its 2005-06 officers (www.ota.com). Phil Margolis of Neshaminy Valley Natural Foods Distributor, will continue as president. Other officers include Jesse Singerman of Roundy’s, vice president representing the U.S. and president-elect; Debra Boyle of SunOpta, vice president representing Canada; Chuck Marcy of Marcy & Partners, treasurer; Julia Sabin of Smucker Quality Beverages, secretary; and Lynn Clarkson of Clarkson Grain Co., at-large member on OTA’s executive committee.

National Starch Food Innovation has earned certification for its TrueTrace non-genetically modified crop identity-preservation program in the U.S. from SGS, a world leader in inspection, verification, testing, and certification (www.nstarch.com). National’s two U.S. corn starch manufacturing facilities in Indianapolis, IN and Kansas City, MO received certification in February. The certification ensures that the company’s supply chain is non-GM and that its products meet or exceed non-GM quality standards, including labeling requirements in Europe.

The Organic Center for Education and Promotion announced that Dr. Andrew Weil has joined its board of directors (www.organic-center.org). Dr. Weil joins the growing prestigious board that includes numerous luminaries in the areas of natural health, organic food and scientific and nutritional research and education.

Jeff Seidel has joined Wholesome Sweeteners in the newly created position of chief commercial and financial officer (www.wholesomesweetners.com). Seidel will be responsible for the company’s financial analysis, accounting and internal controls, information systems, customer service, corporate planning, lender relations and other treasury functions.

Late July Organic Snacks appointed Julianne Walsh as the new director of sales, western region (www.latejuly.com). As an East Coast-based company, Late July management felt it was time to dedicate a strong key personnel member to this part of the country to help manage nationwide growth. 

McLaughlin Gormley King Co. (MGK), developer of PyGanic, an organically compliant pyrethrum pest control, has hired Sandra Torry as sales representative for the Western U.S. (www.MGKpro.com). Torry’s focus is providing sales and technical support for MGK’s Structural Pest Control product line in the states west of the Rockies.

A&B Ingredients, a provider of rice-based ingredients used in a variety of food applications, has added two new people to its team (www.abingredients.com). Kiran Krishnan, assumed the position of midwestern regional sales manager and Ricardo Rodriguez is A&B’s new food scientist.

Eden Foods is pleased to announce the promotion of Keith Massey to the position of national sales manager (www.edenfoods.com). He has served as Eden’s western regional sales manager for the past five years.

Briess Malt & Ingredients’ Insta Grains plant in Chilton, WI, recently completed the Food Products Association (formerly National Food Processors Association) audit with successful results (www.briess.com). The audit reviews 36 categories ranging from sanitation to document control to Hazard Analysis Critical and Control Points (HACCP).

Butte Creek Brewing Co. has received delivery of three new brewing tanks that will raise the facility’s brewing capacity from 4,000 barrels a year to 8,000 barrels a year (www.buttecreek.com). The increased brewing capacity is needed to keep up with demand for the company’s growing line of organic and other hand-crafted ales.

Booth Creek Management Corp. has named George Chivari president and chief executive officer (CEO) of its Coleman Natural Foods Co., the largest all natural and organic meat company in the U.S. (www.colemannatural.com).

Planet Organic, owner of several natural food supermarkets across Canada, signed a letter of intent to acquire Newfound Health, a profitable company with 17 franchise locations throughout Alberta (www.planetorganics.com).

Sunset Brands, maker of “healthy lifestyle foods” acquired U.S. Mills, a marketer of natural, organic and specialty cereals, cookies and crackers (www.sunsetbrands.com). U.S. Mills brands include Uncle Sam Cereal, Erewhon, New Morning, Farina and Skinner’s Raisin Bran products.

ED&F Man, a leading sugar, cocoa and coffee trading house launched an organic group, called Corigins (www.corigins.com). Corigins will provide organic ingredients, along with ingredient blending and formulation services.

The Organic Crop Improvement Association (OCIA) announced an initiative to create strategic alliances with organizations that support and promote the welfare of organic farmers, organic agriculture and the organic foods industry (www.ocia.org). Under the initiative, organizations will be allowed to partner with OCIA to provide organic certification services on a worldwide level. The partner organizations would maintain their own organizational identity and organic certification services would be offered under OCIA’s accredited programs.

Rick Bucker, Ph.D., recently joined Clarkson Grain Co. as executive vice president and general manager and will also provide technical support to customers (www.clarkson.com). Clarkson provides certified organic, IP and non-GMO grains and ingredients.