OTA Food Safety Task Force urges FDA to base proposed produce safety and preventive controls (HACCP) rules on science and data, and not to conflict with existing USDA National Organic Program regulations. While undeniably important as a major step in improving the safety of the United States’ food supply, FDA, as part of the Food [...]
On November 6, just one day after Washington State’s I-522 GMO labeling bill was narrowly defeated, USDA moved to deregulate two new GMO soybean varieties and a GMO apple genetically engineered to resist browning. Additionally, reports indicate that FDA may soon approve GMO salmon - the first genetically engineered animal for human consumption. In approving [...]
The number of certified organic operations increased 240% since the National Organic Program (NOP) began tracking data in 2002. Today, USDA counts 17,750 certified organic farms and processing facilities in the US, up from about 7,400 in 2002. USDA also estimates that there are now close to 25,000 certified organic operators in more than 100 countries worldwide. [...]
May 2013 Agrisystems International founder Tom Harding finalized the sale of the international organic consultancy to his longtime colleague Alesia Bock of ASI Consulting LLC in DeForest, WI. The transition to serve clients has been seamless, and Alesia brings 24 years of experience in the food industry, including regulatory, certification and quality roles covering USDA, [...]
In an effort to reduce paperwork and other burdensome aspects of organic certification, the National Organic Program (NOP) in April introduced Sound and Sensible, a new program designed to make it easier on producers while maintaining high standards, ensuring compliance, and protecting organic integrity. The Sound and Sensible initiative involves identifying and removing barriers to certification, [...]
Not waiting for the government to take the lead in the labeling of genetically engineered or GMO foods, Whole Foods Market announced in March that it will require GMO transparency for any products sold in its stores by 2018, making it the first national grocery chain to set a deadline to label foods that contain [...]