OMRI Standards Update
USDA releases interim final rule amending standards for organic foods

June 26, 2007

The USDA’s National Organic Program allowed 38 substances, on an interim basis, for use in organic processed foods starting on June 21, 2007. The interim final rule also opens a 60-day public comment period on the date it is officially published in the Federal Register.

According to the OMRI Policy Manual, OMRI standards are immediately updated when there is a change to the National Organic Program rule. The release of the interim final rule immediately (and temporarily) changes OMRI's standards. OMRI will publish an addendum to the OMRI Standards Manual and the OMRI Generic Materials List when the rule change becomes final.

The interim final rule includes the 38 agricultural ingredients for inclusion on the National List at §205.606. The interim final rule allows the use of these substances as nonorganic ingredients in organic foods only when they are not commercially available in organic form. View the full text of the interim final rule for details on the substances and their allowances.

• Full text of the interim final rule — NOP Amendments to the National List of Allowed and Prohibited Substances (Processing)