OMRI’s GMO Guide to be Reviewed with New “Beyond Resolution” Issue
July 29, 2026
OMRI’s review program recently questioned the allowance of a genetically engineered (GE) enzyme used in the manufacturing of a bacteriophage sanitizer, a substance allowed in the handling of certified organic products. The enzyme in question is separated from bacteriophage and does not alter any attribute of the bacteriophage.
After careful deliberation over the last nine months that included working with our Processing Review Panel, along with consultation with our Advisory Council and with members of the ACA Materials Working Group, we have been unable to answer this question. We consider this issue “beyond resolution” at this time. This means that, pending resolution, OMRI will no longer accept applications to review bacteriophage sanitizers marketed as a handling substance when manufactured using a processing aid derived from genetic engineering. Suppliers of any handling products in the OMRI Products List© that are or contain bacteriophages will be contacted by OMRI staff as part of limited re-reviews.
Since 2007, the Excluded Methods (GMO) Determination Guide has appeared in the OMRI Generic Materials List©. This Guide is used in assessments of whether a given input product is considered a Genetically Modified Organism (GMO) or a product of a GMO. The Guide, as currently published, was determined to be inconclusive as it applied to the issue described above. As part of our continued work to resolve this “beyond resolution” issue, work will commence to revisit this Guide and identify needed edits.
Questions, concerns, or requests to become involved in this upcoming policy work can be directed to me.
For more information about bacteriophages and their allowance in USDA organic production, please see this article from the OMRI Materials Review Newsletter. 2014 OMRI bacteriophage newsletter article.
Contact Information:
Doug Currier
Technical Director
(541) 343-7600, ext. 113
