“Deeply disappointed” by the US Department of Agriculture’s recent decision to eliminate the new organic standard on animal welfare, stakeholders are taking their case to the mainstream public in an effort to pressure the agency to change its position....
Proposed legislation seeks to beef-up oversight and enforcement of organic standards after government investigators discovered some US ports fumigated imported product but did not ensure it was not then sold or labeled as organic.
More than a hundred representatives for the organic industry descended on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC, last Thursday to extol to legislators the benefits of their industry to the US economy and ask for additional funding and help expand organic practices...
Hydroponic and aquaponic farms can keep their organic status – at least for now – following the National Organic Standards Board’s decision April 21 to defer a vote on whether the systems are eligible for USDA certification.
Increased funding for research to improve production tops the organic industry’s wish list of policy actions that it wants legislators and regulators to consider as they begin in earnest the long process of reauthorizing the Farm Bill, which is slated...
Advocates for and against allowing organic products to continue using the non-organic thickener carrageenan argued their cases in front of the National Organic Standards Board Wednesday ahead of the advisory committee’s vote on the issue Thursday.
A lawsuit alleging that Earth’s Best organic infant formula contains a “spectacular array” of ingredients prohibited in organic foods, reflects the plaintiff’s ignorance of USDA regulations, brand owner Hain Celestial argued in court documents filed Wednesday.
Stakeholders in the organic community, including handlers, farmers, scientists and advocates joined on Capitol Hill in late April to discuss with the National Organic Standards Board which non-organic materials should be allowed and prohibited for use...
Organic infant formula products from high-profile brands Earth’s Best (Hain Celestial) and The Honest Co contain a “spectacular array” of ingredients that are prohibited under the Organic Food Production Act, according to lawsuits filed by The Organic...
The terms “local” and “organic” have become increasingly coveted characteristics for packaged foods and beverage in the North American market, as evidenced by a growing number of marketing campaigns touting local and organic foods—not to mention the impressive...
A year after the US Department of Agriculture gave organic food and beverage manufacturers a Nov. 3, 2014 deadline for swapping silicon dioxide for organic rice hulls, RIBUS Inc.’s Nu-Flow ingredient saw a 150% boost in sales over that same timeframe....
84% of US consumers buy organic food sometimes, and 45% of them buy it at least once a month, according to a new national survey of 1,016 adults. However, there is a disparity between what they think the organic seal means and what they think it should...
Concern for the environment may be increasing among Americans, but suspicion of corporate ‘greenwashing’ may be slowing their willingness to pay extra for ‘green’ products, including organic, suggests a new survey of 2,276 adults.
In the absence of a clear legal definition of ‘natural’, food marketers seeking to avoid legal challenges over it refer to a variety of sources for guidance.
The Organic Trade Association (OTA) has welcomed the introduction of legislation that would tighten controls on organic certification, saying that it would protect the integrity of the USDA’s National Organic Program seal.
Star-K Kosher Certification has begun providing triple inspections to certify plants and products as non-GMO, organic and kosher, which it says can save companies time and money on individually conducted inspections.
The non-GMO symbol is a useful reference point for consumers, many of whom still have gaps in their knowledge of genetically modified (GM) foods, according to natural and organic food companies.
Strengthening the organic industry’s national public policy effectiveness to benefit the entire sector is the aim of a new strategic alliance between the Organic Trade Association (OTA) and California Certified Organic Farmers Inc. (CCOF).
The US Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) is seeking comments on draft guidance for the labeling of products that contain at least 70 percent organic ingredients.
The USDA has strongly refuted allegations that the National Organic Program (NOP) is subject to what organic campaign group, The Cornucopia Institute, terms “undue corporate influence.”
Enforcement and compliance problems continue to plague the National Organic Program (NOP) according to an audit report from the Office of Inspector General at the USDA.
The US Department of Agriculture (USDA) has unveiled new rules for organic livestock production, with the aim of setting consistent standards for pasture use across the dairy industry.
Efficiency and environmental protection are the twin benefits claimed for what is said to be Canada’s first organic preservative and disinfectant for use with food products from food to table.
Beneo-Orafti has launched a liquid organic fructo-oligosaccharide (FOS) called L58, offering companies a prebiotic ingredient for the rapidly growing organic sector.
Aurora Organic Dairy has denied accusations by small-scale farm campaigning organization the Cornucopia Institute accusing it of selling milk that does not adhere to organic standards.
The US Department of Agriculture (USDA) has ordered an independent audit of its National Organic Program (NOP) to boost transparency and integrity, and bring it in line with international standards.
DD Williamson has succeeded in sourcing certified annatto extracts for use as food colors, opening up new possibilities for manufacturers to make organic claims on foods.
The US and Canada have agreed to finalize negotiations on organic equivalency standards between the countries by this summer, according to the Organic Trade Association.
Symrise says it remains committed to long-term organic sourcing for food and fragrance ingredients as part of a wider philosophy to ensure greater control of its operations ‘from farm to folk’.
Gum Technology has launched a new natural, cold soluble carrageenan
blend said to offer an instant rich texture for products ranging
from smoothies to frozen pizza crust.
A Californian mushroom firm could face fraud investigations
following accusations that it has violated organic standards and
country of origin labeling laws.
Israel-based flavour firm Frutarom has received official organic
certification for the second year running from Quality Assurance
International (QAI) in the US.
