Search Results for: NOSB

Cornucopia: USDA Maintains Pattern of Corporate Appointments

Last updated September 26, 2014

Organic Governance Undermined by Cozy Relationship with Agribusiness Lobbyists One of the nation’s preeminent organic industry watchdogs, The Cornucopia Institute, expressed renewed criticism of the process used for the selection of four new appointees to the USDA’s National Organic Standards Board (NOSB).  The NOSB is a 15-member volunteer board composed of various organic stakeholders that… Read more »

It’s Time to Take Back the Organic Community

Last updated May 7, 2014

One Seat on the National Organic Standards Board at a Time Nominations for True Organic Representatives to NOSB by May 15 When Congress passed the Organic Foods Production Act of 1990 it included an important buffer assuring the organic community that we would never lose control over the true meaning of the organic label:  a… Read more »

Mark Kastel on Facebook Live: USDA Reapproves Carrageenan, Betrays Public Trust, and Ignores Own Advisory Board

Last updated December 6, 2019

Codirector Mark Kastel describes the history and process of the National Organic Standards Board (NOSB), as well as recent disturbing developments in USDA oversight of the NOSB. The NOSB voted to disallow carrageenan, an additive known to cause intestinal inflammation, in organic production beginning this year. Carrageenan is used as an emulsifier, a thickener, and… Read more »

Action Alert: Synthetic Nutrients in Organic Foods?

Last updated April 21, 2014

[This Action Alert is Over] USDA Seeks Public Comment Comments due December 26, 2012 The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) is seeking public comment on a rule that would continue its policy of allowing the indiscriminate and illegal addition of synthetic nutrients to organic foods. Nutrients occur naturally in foods, and many are essential… Read more »

Follow the National Organic Standards Board Meeting in Tucson, AZ #NOSB

Last updated April 29, 2019

Last Updated: April 27 at 6:08PM CT Join The Cornucopia Institute as we live tweet from the National Organic Standards Board meeting in Tucson, Arizona. We will be sharing the play by play with our Twitter followers under #NOSB or simply follow our stream. For background on issues up for discussion at the meeting, see:… Read more »

Make Selection of Key National Organic Advisors Transparent

Last updated July 30, 2009

CORNUCOPIA, WI — The US Department of Agriculture should publicly release the names of applicants for its expert advisory panel on organic food and agriculture practices, according to a farm policy group.  Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack is expected to announce the appointment for five open slots on the 15-member National Organic Standards Board sometime during… Read more »

National Organic Standards Board Votes on Soy Lecithin De-Listing

Last updated July 7, 2009

The National Organic Standards Board (NOSB), at its recent May meeting, had its first ever opportunity to remove a conventional food ingredient from the “National List.” The National List includes minor food ingredients of which manufacturers may use conventional versions if the organic version is commercially unavailable. Soy lecithin, used in foods such as chocolate,… Read more »

WHITE HOUSE PETITION: President Obama, Please Reverse USDA Coup Undermining Organics

Last updated July 21, 2015

[This petition is now closed] WHITE HOUSE PETITION: Ask President Obama to Reverse USDA Coup Undermining Organic Governing Board and Shifting Power to Agribusiness Lobbyists Stop allowing corporations to add gimmicky and risky synthetic chemicals to organics When Congress passed the Organic Foods Production Act of 1990 (OFPA), they created a unique and powerful citizen… Read more »