AMS Proposes to Allow 17 New Substances in Organic Products

The Agricultural Marketing Service is proposing to amend the National List of Allowed and Prohibited Substances in organic products. The proposed rule would change the use restrictions for 17 substances allowed for organic production or handling: micronutrients; chlorhexidine; parasiticides; fenbendazole; moxidectin; xylazine; lidocaine; procaine; methionine; excipients; alginic acid; flavors; carnauba wax; chlorine; cellulose; colors; and glycerin. It would also allow the use of 16 new substances: hypochlorous acid; magnesium oxide; squid byproducts; activated charcoal; calcium borogluconate; calcium propionate; injectable vitamins, minerals and electrolytes; kaolin pectin; mineral oil; propylene glycol; acidified sodium chlorite; zinc sulfate; potassium lactate; and sodium lactate. The proposed rule would also list a botanical pesticide, rotenone, as a prohibited substance in organic crop production, and remove ivermectin as an allowed parasiticide for use in organic livestock production. Comments are due March 19.