The USDA has issued a final rule regarding the agency’s National List of Allowed and Prohibited Substances for the National Organic Program. The agency renewed 187 of 198 substances submitted by the National Organic Standards Board as part of the 2017 sunset review. The document became effective March 15. Full Notice
The Wall Street Journal has a story this morning about a debate taking place in the food industry over one simple question that apparently does not have a simple answer: What, exactly, is milk? Here’s how the Journal frames the story: “Dairymen are lobbying Congress to restrict use of the word ‘milk’ to products derived[…]
A study commissioned by the European Parliament concluded that organic farming policies have benefits for human health. The review of existing research, coordinated by Assistant Professor Axel Mie, who is affiliated with both Karolinska Institute and the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, found the support for animal health and restrictive use of antibiotics in organic animal[…]
USDA has proposed a rule eliminating 11 substances from the National List for use in organic production and handling. The removals pertain to the 2017 sunset review of substances and utilize recommendations submitted by the National Organic Standards Board. The agency will accept public comment for 60 days. read more – https://www.specialtyfood.com/news/article/usda-proposes-eliminating-11-substances-national-list-use-organic-production-handling/
The Organic Trade Association has partnered with the U.S. Department of Agriculture to help guide farmers transitioning to certified organic agricultural production. The National Certified Transitional Program will rely on standards developed by the OTA and provide oversight to approved Accredited Organic Certifying Agents offering transitional certification to producers. This system will help ease the[…]
Rep. Peter Welch (D-VT) and two dozen bipartisan congressional lawmakers have signed a letter sent to U.S. Food and Drug Administration Commissioner Robert Califf requesting the agency take action to investigate the use of the term “milk” by plant-based dairy brands. Of primary concern to these lawmakers and members of the conventional dairy industry is the[…]
Shoppers’ spending on healthy products, including natural/organic offerings, has seen steady growth in the past several years, driven by the desire of shoppers to feel good about the foods they’re eating. Forty-five percent of shoppers eat healthy foods even though they are more expensive. Thirty-eight percent of shoppers agree, “I often buy natural/organic products because[…]
While demand for organic ice cream is on the rise, it is still facing high competition from regular ice cream, according to Future Market Insights. The growth of the organic segment is supported by technological advancements in the field of cold chain infrastructure, refrigerated transport systems, storage facilities and equipment, as well as the introduction[…]
Certified Organic Milk Sales. According to the USDA-NASS 2015 “Certified Organic Survey,” organic milk was the top commodity sold, valued at $1.2 billion, with a change of +8% from 2014 to 2015 Across the U.S., most farms (71%) sold to wholesalers, 36% directly to consumers, and 22% to retail markets. The percentage of farms selling[…]
It seems that US consumers have cultured a love of yogurt drinks as the latest research from Mintelreveals that sales of yogurt drinks have grown a healthy 62 percent in the five years 2011-2016. A relative newcomer to the yogurt sector, yogurt drinks* are a standout in the yogurts market. Indeed,between 2011 and 2016 dollar[…]