Former NOSB Chairman Joins Organic Watchdog’s Leadership Cornucopia, WI – The Cornucopia Institute is pleased to announce the unanimous election, by its Board of Directors, of Barry Flamm, PhD, to the organization’s distinguished Policy Advisory Panel. Dr. Flamm was the first certified organic sweet cherry grower in Montana. He served on the Governor’s Council to… Read more »
Search Results for: NOSB
Can a Soil-less Growing System be “Organic”?
Organic Agriculture and Hydroponics The USDA’s National Organic Program is allowing the certification of hydroponic operations despite the law governing organic agriculture which clearly states that nurturing the fertility of the soil is an integral part of organic management. When food grown without soil is allowed to carry the organic label, the environmental and health… Read more »
USDA Deals Blow to U.S. Organic Hop Industry
American Organic Hop Grower Association Organic beer may never truly be organic if the USDA has its way. Earlier this month, the USDA’s National Organic Standards Board (NOSB) Handling Committee recommended the continued use of non-organic hops in beer labeled organic by denying a petition by the American Organic Hop Grower Association (AOHGA) to remove… Read more »
A Farmer’s View of the NOSB Meeting in Denver
Cornucopia’s Take: Dave Chapman of Long Wind Farm in Vermont attended the recent National Organic Standards Board meeting. We share his thoughts on events there, and the history leading to them, below. Is healthy soil important? by Dave Chapman Dave Chapman testifies at the NOSB meeting in Denver “Finally, the soul of organics is at… Read more »
(ALERT OVER) Keep Questionable Synthetic Additives Out of Organics!
Protect Babies’ and Children’s Health March 21, 2011 In conventional foods, the government allows the use of toxic pesticides, genetically engineered crops, and novel synthetic additives that have not been tested for safety. As organic consumers, we say: “No thanks, we’d rather not be part of this huge uncontrolled experiment!” Organic foods offer an alternative,… Read more »
Summary of NOSB Votes on Petitions, Sunset Materials
by Linley Dixon, PhD Linley Dixon, PhD addresses the NOSB A clear message that The Cornucopia Institute, and other organic stakeholders, are pushing the NOSB to act more conservatively was evident in the votes to remove three 2016 sunset toxic boiler additives: cyclohexylamine, diethylaminoethanol, and octadecylamine. The NOSB also voted to reject the petition to… Read more »
Nanomaterials in Organic Food? The USDA Is Looking the Other Way
[This story originally appeared in the Fall 2014 issue of The Cultivator, The Cornucopia Institute’s quarterly print publication available to members and online.] by Pamela Coleman, PhD Credit: dollarphotoclub.com At their October 2010 meeting, the National Organic Standards Board (NOSB) unanimously approved a guidance document recommending that “Engineered Nanomaterials be prohibited from certified organic products as expeditiously as… Read more »
Will Carrageenan Remain in Organic Food?
Removal of Carcinogenic Substance Uncertain Due to Industry Lobbying [This article was previously published in the summer issue of The Cultivator, Cornucopia’s quarterly newsletter.] by Linley Dixon, PhD Farm and Food Policy Analyst at The Cornucopia Institute Source: Adobe Stock The FDA is responsible for ensuring the safety of more than 9,000 food additives used… Read more »
Organic Pioneers Consider Leaving the Label
Cornucopia’s Take: A spokesperson for hydroponic organics from the Recirculating Farms Coalition is quoted in the article below, describing the lack of vote against hydroponic growing in organics as “inclusive, not exclusive.” We heard this same language from National Organic Standards Board members during Cornucopia’s coverage of their meeting. This is a matter of discernment… Read more »
Groups Challenge Major USDA Change to Organic Rule:
Customary Public Comment Process Averted to the Chagrin of Petitioners Organic stakeholders have filed a lawsuit in federal court, maintaining that the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) violated the federal rulemaking process when it changed established procedures for reviewing the potential hazards and need for allowed synthetic and prohibited natural substances used in producing organic… Read more »
