USDA proposes changes to organics list

Elemental sulfur would be added and potassium acid tartrate would be reclassified.    The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) is proposing to add to and reclassify substances on the National List of Allowed and Prohibited Substances.
   Following recommendations submitted by the National Organics Standards Board to the Agriculture secretary, AMS proposed the addition of elemental sulfur for use in organic livestock production as well as the reclassification of potassium acid tartrate from a non-agricultural substance to an agricultural substance and to require the organic form of the ingredient when commercially available.
   The Organic Foods Production Act of 1990, as amended, as well as USDA organic regulations, specifically prohibit the use of any synthetic substance in organic production and handling unless the synthetic substance is on the National List, AMS said.
   The regulations also require any non-organic agricultural and any non-synthetic non-agricultural substance used in organic handling to be on the list, the agency said.
   Comments on the proposed rule must be submitted by the end of June 29.