FEATURED ISSUE
Protecting Organic Standards
There is promising news for those of you who are organic food consumers. While for over a decade there have been concerns about regulation loopholes that allowed pesticide contamination of organic crops, now in 2020 there is a proposed national rule that could protect the organic industry’s supply chain. Specifically, the United Stated Department of Agriculture (USDA) is proposing that each entity in the supply chain be required to have organic certification through the National Organic Program (NOP). In addition, international imports of organic products would need equivalent certification and trackable and auditable verification that a specific shipment complies with USDA organic regulations. This proposal is out for comments until October 5, 2020. So far, the organic industry appears to be supportive of the proposed rule. It will be interesting to see what, if any, changes are made at that point.

Issue: Will the latest proposed USDA rule improve protection of organic products?

AHHA strives to maintain a neutral position on issues and viewsknowledge as power. For those interested in this month’s issue the articles cited below were selected to offer you some resources to begin your research to better understand the proposed regulation change being proposed.

History
2010 – 2011 Pilot Study Pesticide Residue Testing of Organic Produce  (November 2012)
Unites States Department of Agriculture Agricultural Marketing Service

Spring 2020 gathering for input
National Organic Standards Board (NOSB) Meeting – Seattle, WA (April 2019)
National Organic Standards Board

Proposal
Strengthening Organic Enforcement Proposed Rule
Unites States Department of Agriculture Agricultural Marketing Service

Opportunity to submit comments
National Organic Program; Strengthening Organic Enforcement (8/5/20)
A Proposed Rule bytheAgricultural Marketing Service; Comments until 10/5/20
Federal Register

Industry viewpoint
USDA-NOP Strengthening Organic Enforcement Proposed Rule SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS (July 2020)
Organic Trade Association

Consumer viewpoint
You Can Stop Fake Organics (7/30/20)
Alliance for Natural Health USA

As always, you are encouraged to go to our blog at https://ahha.org/blog and post your comments.

To review past ISSUES, visit the Special Updates Archives.