Contrary to what is stated in your posting, these standards have not been relaxed. Rigorously enforced standards can and do go hand-in-hand with growth. The organic industry and OTA pushed for national organic regulations that consumers could rely on. As a result, organic agriculture and products remain the most strictly regulated, as well as the fastest growing, food system in the United States today.

As part of its commitment to upholding the integrity of the organic label,the organic system outlines and follows a very specific process that materials must go through before they are permitted for inclusion in organic products.

NOSB, a citizen advisory board, consists of four farmer/growers, two handlers/processors, one retailer, one scientist, three consumer/public interest advocates, three environmentalists, and one USDA-accredited certifying agent. These volunteers assist the Secretary of Agriculture with the overall implementation of the National Organic Program (NOP).

NOSB conducts an extensive review of materials that are petitioned for inclusion in organic, solicits public comment, and makes a recommendation to NOP as to whether a material should be allowed. The NOP implements NOSB’s recommendation.

This process ensures that materials are not haphazardly permitted for use in organic production and reinforces the principles of transparency and integrity around which the organic system was built.

For more information about the organic system and the standards and regulations that underpin it, visit http://www.ota.com.