The Organic Foods Production Act created the National List of Allowed and Prohibited Substances (National List) as a tool for managing the substances used in organic production over time. In general, natural substances are allowed in organic, and synthetic substances are prohibited. The National List identifies the limited exceptions to these general rules. The National List also identifies nonagricultural and non-organic agricultural substances (ingredients) that may be used in organic handling. Changes to the National List require a National Organic Standards Board (NOSB) recommendation and USDA rulemaking, a process that provides multiple opportunities for public comment.
The USDA today published a final rule in the Federal Register amending the National List based on public input and the April 2019 NOSB recommendations. This final rule provides additional options for organic farms and businesses by adding three substances to the list of substances allowed for organic production and handling.
The final rule allows
- Oxalic acid as a pesticide for use in apiculture
- Non-organic pullulan for use in dietary supplements with “made with organic” claims (capsules and tablets)
- Collagen gel as a casing for organic products like sausages
This final rule is effective July 26, 2021. View the final rule.
About the National List
More information on the National List, including how and why substances are added or removed, is available on the National List page.
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This was originally released through the USDA-AMS newsletter the Organic Insider June 25, 2021.