The U.S. Department of Agriculture's National Organic Program (NOP) this week announced that it will continue allowing the use of several ingredients in organic foods, three of which are important to the production of organic dairy products. In 2016 IDFA asked the NOP to keep cellulose, an anti-caking agent, as well as agar-agar and glucono deltalactone, thickening agents, on the National List of approved ingredients. They will remain approved until the next review in 2023.

“We’re pleased that the National Organic Program has recognized that these ingredients play a necessary role in helping processors like dairy companies create desirable organic products that meet consumer expectations,” said Emily R. Lyons, IDFA director of regulatory affairs and counsel. “This decision will ensure that consumers have a wide variety of safe and high-quality organic dairy products to choose from.”

Every five years, the NOP must decide whether to continue to allow the use of these ingredients under a "sunset provision" that mandates the review process. The NOP considers several criteria, including recommendations from the National Organic Standards Board, the impact of the substance’s use on human health, the processors’ need for the substance and its compatibility with organic production and handling.

View the Federal Register notice for a list of all NOP-approved ingredients.

For more information, contact Lyons at elyons@idfa.org.