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By Evan Thomsen
The OMRI Canada review program turned four this year, and during those four years we have seen a number of recurring reasons why OMRI might not allow products for organic production under the Canada Organic Regime (COR) regulations. There are several points of compliance that determine the allowance of input materials; some are OMRI policy, and some are mandated by the regulations in CAN/CGSB-32.310 and CAN/CGSB-32.311. Below is a list of some of the common reasons why products do not end up on the OMRI Canada...
How does OMRI evaluate GE materials for use as ingredients in processed organic food products labeled as “organic” or “made with organic ingredients”?
By Taryn Kennedy
Ingredients and processing aids that are directly produced through genetic engineering (GE) are prohibited. OMRI uses 5 criteria to evaluate whether a product is directly produced through GE and is therefore prohibited: 1) Is the product a live GE organism or a live organism derived from a GE organism? 2) Does the product contain modified DNA that will be...
What are the various ways that glycerin is produced and which forms are allowed in organic livestock production?
By Tina Jensen Augustine
Glycerin, or glycerol, is a colorless or pale yellow, viscous liquid that can be derived either from animal and vegetable fats and oils, or from petrochemical feedstocks. Glycerin occurs naturally as the backbone molecule to which fatty acids are bonded in triglycerides, or fats. Synthetic forms of glycerin are permitted for use as livestock teat dips at §205.603(a)(14). The listing...
How are floating agents used, and which materials are allowed?
By Ana Negrete
Post-harvest production practices include cleaning, sorting and storing produce in order to preserve its freshness and quality, while maintaining its essential form. Among these practices is the use of water-based unloading of field bins. This practice helps reduce produce injury/bruising, and also helps transport free-floating produce through the processing line. Unfortunately, not all crops tolerate wetting, and those that do don’t...
I see that OMRI has multiple Generic Materials List (GML) categories for fruit coatings. Can you explain these categories? Specifically, can I use nonorganic orange shellac to process apples?
By Doug Currier
Fruit and vegetable coatings, sometimes called edible films, are applied directly to the outside of produce in order to preserve freshness and maintain quality standards often associated with appearances that consumers have come to expect. Besides orange shellac, other common materials used for these purposes...
Are genetically modified substrates or growth media permitted in organic production under the Canadian organic standards?
By Shannon McCormick
Genetically modified substrate or growth media are allowed in Canadian organic production only if the material is removed first from the permitted substance, and if a non-genetically modified alternative is not commercially available. (Consumption, and physical methods such as filtration or centrifugation, are examples of generally accepted events which separate or...
Can wine be labeled as ‘organic’ if sulfites are added, but there are also naturally occurring sulfites in it?
By Brian Baker
Wine labeling laws are governed by the Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB) (Formerly the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms). There is a web page that clarifies the requirements for labeling alcoholic beverages with organic claims: https://www.ttb.gov/alfd/alfd_organic.shtml. Wines that have organic claims on the label...
What should I look for in a compliant pectin?
By Doug Currier
Pectin, the gelling agent that provides us with jams and marmalades, has appeared on the National List in different places over the years. In the past, pectin (low-methoxy) was listed as an allowed synthetic, nonagricultural ingredient at §205.605(b) while pectin (high-methoxy) was listed at §205.606. In response to a petition filed in 2005, the NOSB Handling Committee recommended in October 2010 that pectin (low methoxy) be removed from §205.605(b) and the...
Would use of X-rays to detect foreign bodies in a plant constitute irradiation?
By Brian Baker
While X-rays create radiation, the levels used to detect foreign bodies in food are not considered 'ionizing radiation' as defined in the organic standards. Ionizing radiation used as a food preservation technique often involves the use of relatively high doses of gamma- and beta-rays from radioactive isotopes or electron beams. X-rays are also a form of ionizing radiation used to treat food and can be dangerous to work with...
Can synthetic pyrethroids, organophosphates insecticides, and synthetic anticoagulant rodenticides be used in organic production facilities? If so, how?
By Brian Baker
Rodents can be a serious problem for processing and handling operations. According to CalPoly food science professor Dr. Joe Montecalvo, “rodents are biological vectors for transmission of just about every microbial and viral disease.” Therefore, all operators must focus on prevention.
For organic operators, preventive practices must be implemented...
