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When is lignin sulfonate allowed in organic production in Canada?
By Everett Codd
Lignin sulphonates, also referred to as lignosulphonates or lignin sulphonic salts, are by-products of paper production. Wood, the base material from which most paper is made, is primarily composed of two types of materials: carbohydrates (such as...
What can be used as a poultry litter amendment?
By Tina Jensen Augustine
Poultry litter, a mix of manure, feathers, bedding, spilled water and feed, is commonly known to be high in nitrogen and is also a significant source of ammonia emissions. As uric acid and organic nitrogen in the litter break down, ammonia is released into the air, or volatilized. Volatilized ammonia not only has a...
What are the NOP standards for injectable vitamins? Does OMRI allow them?
By Amber Lippert
Vitamins are given to livestock orally, in feed, or as an injection. Some injectable vitamins are registered as drugs, while most non-injectable vitamins are used as additives in formulated feeds or diluted and offered free choice. The intended purpose of a vitamin product, such as whether it is meant to be fed daily or only in times of stress, makes a difference when it comes to the organic standards. Vitamins available on the...
How does OMRI differentiate between livestock feed ingredients (LF) and livestock health care (LH) products, and thus decide which review policies to use?
By Nick Stansbury
The National Organic Program (NOP) regulations at 7 CFR Part 205 outline distinct standards for Livestock Feed at §205.237 and Livestock Health Care at §205.238. There is some overlap, and §205.238 includes the “[p]rovision of a feed ration sufficient to meet nutritional requirements” as a health care practice standard. Crucial to the review of...
What processing aids can be used as fining agents to remove skins and other solids from organic wine?
By Brian Baker
As a general rule, to make organic wine, the fining agents need to be certified organic or on the National List, either at 205.605 or 205.606. Organic egg whites are one option. Other options would be to use bentonite clay or diatomaceous earth, both of which are on 205.605(a). Silicon dioxide is also on the National List at 205.605(b). Gelatin is on 205.606 and may be used from an organic source or a...
What materials are allowed for use as egg cleaners and sanitizers in organic operations?
By Ana Negrete
Adequate sanitation of shell eggs has always been a great concern. The topic gained special attention in 2010, when the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) posted a voluntary market recall of over 500 million shell eggs that were potentially contaminated with Salmonella enteritidis. As a result, USDA agencies such as the Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) and Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) have joined...
What are the rules around feedstocks for compost that is compliant under the Canadian Organic Standards?
By Ana Negrete
Organic growers can implement various practices on their farms to help establish and maintain a fertile soil as indicated in the Canadian Organic Standards. A common practice is composting. Whether growers make their own compost or use compost from an off-farm source, the requirements for the compost feedstock are the same.
...What is Flux-Calcined Diatomaceous Earth, and is it allowed for use in organic production?
By Gwynn Sawyer Ostrom
Diatomaceous earth (DE) is the fossilized remains (skeletons) of single-celled aquatic algae called diatoms. A mineral compound, DE is found in exposed ancient lake and ocean beds, and can be mined and processed in several ways. It is typically classified into three grades: a natural grade, a calcined grade, and a flux-calcined grade. Once graded, DE can be used in a variety of ways including as a filtration...
What is electrolyzed water, and is it allowed for organic processing?
By Daniel Nguyen
Electrolyzed water, sometimes referred to as electrolyzed oxidizing water (EO water), is a sanitizing solution conventionally used to reduce microbial contamination on both food contact and non-food contact surfaces. Unlike many other commercial sanitizers, electrolyzed water solutions are usually generated on-site with specially designed electrolyzed water generating devices.
An electrolyzed water solution is generated by...
How does OMRI address the commercial availability requirements for inputs reviewed to the Canada Organic Regime (COR) regulations?
By Nick Stansbury
CAN/CGSB 32.310 and 32.311 ensure there is a preference for the use of certified organic materials when commercially available. Clause 3 of CAN/CGSB 32.310 defines the term “commercially available” as the “documented ability to obtain a production input or an ingredient in an appropriate form, quality, quantity or variety, irrespective of cost, in order to fulfil an...
