IDFA Asks National Organic Standards Board to Retain 'Flavors'

IDFA recently provided comments to the U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) National Organic Standards Board (NOSB) recommending the continued use of natural, or non-synthetic, flavors in processed organic products. The NOSB is deciding whether to continue to allow the use of flavors, along with more than 150 other substances, under a "sunset provision" that mandates a periodic review.

The Organic Foods Production Act (OFPA) sunset provision requires the NOSB to review each substance on the National List, a list of approved and prohibited substances, within five years of its publication. Since the USDA implemented the final rule in 2002, the National List review must be completed by October 2007.

The natural flavors currently allowed are non-agricultural substances in processed products labeled as "organic" or "made with organic." These are defined as "non-synthetic sources only and must not be produced using synthetic solvents and carrier systems or any artificial preservative."

IDFA believes that the current supply of organic flavors in the market cannot meet the needs of the food industry, because natural flavors are needed to maintain quality, consistency and consumer appeal.

"Continuing to allow the use of natural flavors in organic foods will facilitate the development of organic products and result in a wider selection of products for consumers," said Cary Frye, IDFA vice president for regulatory affairs.

The NOSB first reviewed and approved the use of natural flavors in October 1995. These recommendations state:

"All of the flavor constituents used in the natural flavor are from natural sources and have not been chemically modified in a way which makes them different than their natural chemical state; and The natural flavor has not been produced using any synthetic solvent and carrier systems or any artificial preservatives.

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Posted May 1, 2006