Strengthening Organic Integrity through Increased Residue Testing

As received from the United States Department of Argriculture-USDA’s National Organic Program (NOP).

In late 2012, the USDA National Organic Program (NOP) announced a strengthened residue testing program to help increase consumer confidence in the $32 billion organic industry worldwide. Consumers purchase organic products expecting that they maintain their organic integrity from farm to market, and USDA is committed to meeting these expectations. This program will provide additional verification that organic farmers are following the rules and not using prohibited substances.

organic residue testing

Organic Residue Testing

Beginning January 1, 2013, USDA organic certifying agents will test products from at least five percent of the organic farms and businesses that they certify each year. While testing has always been a part of organic product oversight, the new program specifies a minimum amount of testing that must occur.

CLICK HERE for more on the above subject….

The above information is opinion based except where noted. Always contact a licensed professional for information on the above subject or BEFORE applying or practicing the above information.
Healthy Martin is designed to assist you in finding medical doctors, dentist and alternative, organic & holistic health in Martin County Florida. “Healthy Martin, working together for healthy choices for you, your family and friends”.

Organic Wine and NOP by USDA

As received from the United States Department of Argriculture-USDA’s National Organic Program (NOP).

According to a 2011 survey by the Organic Trade Association, organic beverages made up about 12% of total organic food sales growth. Organic wine contributed to that growth, matching pace with conventional wine purchases. So what is organic wine?

organic wine

Organic Wine

As with other USDA organic products, organic wine is made without using prohibited substances or genetic engineering (see Allowed and Prohibited Substances). It undergoes the same rigorous requirements of USDA organic certification as other products throughout its lifecycle (see Five Steps to Organic Certification). And, in addition to being overseen by the USDA National Organic Program, it has to meet the requirements of the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau, especially for sulfite labeling requirements.

Before wine can be sold as organic, both the growing of the grapes and their conversion to wine must be certified. This includes making sure grapes are grown without synthetic fertilizers and in a manner that protects the environment and preserves the soil. Other agricultural ingredients that go into the wine, such as yeast, also have to be certified organic. Any non-agricultural ingredients must be specifically allowed on the National List of Allowed and Prohibited Substances (see Allowed and Prohibited Substances) and can’t exceed 5% of the total product. And, while wine naturally produces some sulfur dioxide (sulfites), they can’t be added to organic wine. Sulfites are commonly added to wines to stop the fermentation process or preserve the flavor profile.

USDA Organic Seal

USDA Organic Seal


Wines that are sold as “made with organic grapes” have different requirements than organic wine. When a wine is labeled as being made with organic grapes, 100% of those grapes used must be certified organic. Yeast and any other agricultural ingredients aren’t required to be organic, but have to be produced without excluded methods (like genetic engineering). As for non-agricultural ingredients, these have to be specifically allowed on the National List. Finally, sulfites may be added to wines that carry the “made with organic grapes” label—up to 100 parts per million.

Organic wine is produced all over the world. Regardless of whether it comes from the European Union, Latin America or South Africa,wine that’s sold as organic in the U.S. has to meet strict standards. Organic wine produced in the U.S. can currently be exported to Canada, the European Union, Japan, and Taiwan. These trade partnerships create new markets for organic winemakers in the U.S.

To find out more about organic wine, check out the National Organic Program’s new organic wine fact sheet.

The above information is opinion based except where noted. Always contact a licensed professional for information on the above subject or BEFORE applying or practicing the above information.
Healthy Martin is designed to assist you in finding medical doctors, dentist and alternative, organic & holistic health in Martin County Florida. “Healthy Martin, working together for healthy choices for you, your family and friends”.

Sodium Nitrate is a Natural Substance ?

The National Organic Program (NOP) would like to share an important notice regarding the use of sodium nitrate in organic crop production.

Since sodium nitrate is a natural substance, it is allowed unless specifically prohibited in the USDA organic regulations. Those regulations currently state that sodium nitrate can only be used to provide 20 percent or less of a crop’s total nitrogen requirement.

After the current restriction expires on October 21st, NOP expects continued compliance based on other sections of the USDA organic regulations.

Prior to October 21, 2012, operations must not:

Meet more than 20 percent of an organic crop’s nitrogen requirement with sodium nitrate.
Regulatory reference: 7CFR section 205.602(g)

On or after October 21, 2012, operations using sodium nitrate must still:

Maintain or improve the natural resources of the operation, including soil and water quality.
Regulatory reference: 7CFR section 205.200
Comply with crop nutrient and soil fertility requirements.
Regulatory reference: 7CFR section 205.203

A proposed rule regarding the use of sodium nitrate is forthcoming.

Notice: Sodium Nitrate Use in Organic Crop Production

CLICK HERE to find out more…

I hope the above health information has been of help to you.

Healthy Martin is designed to assist you in finding the best medical health, medicine, doctors, dentist and alternative, organic & holistic health in Martin County Florida. “Working together for better health choices for you, your family and friends.”

Fraudulent Organic Certificate Alert

As received from the USDA National Organic Program;

Dear Anthony,

The National Organic Program (NOP) wanted to alert the organic trade and public to the presence of a fraudulent organic certificate.

USDA is also pleased to announce the 2012 National Farmer’s Market Directory.

Fraudulent organic certificates listing the following business are in use and have been recently reported to the NOP:

Asociación Proyectos Del Pueblo Colonia Iberia
Since 2009, no longer a certified organic operation

This certificate falsely represents agricultural products as certified organic under the USDA organic regulations, violating the Organic Foods Production Act of 1990.

The vigilance of the organic community is a vital force in ensuring organic integrity. Organic handlers should continue to review certificates carefully, validate with their certifying agents where needed, and send any suspicious certificates to the NOP Compliance and Enforcement team.

View Fraudulent Certificates

Persons with information regarding the production or use of these or other fraudulent NOP certificates are asked to send information to the NOP Compliance & Enforcement Division at email NOPCompliance@ams.usda.gov

I hope the above health information has been of help to you.

Healthy Martin website is designed to assist persons and organizations with finding traditional modern medicine with natural health, alternative health and holistic health choices for you, your family and friends.

Listings for pectin on the National Organic Program List of Allowed and Prohibited Substances

A Federal Register notice has been published addressing the implementation period for the listings for pectin on the National List of Allowed and Prohibited Substances. The notice allows certified operations to reformulate organic products containing pectin until Oct. 21, 2012.

CLICK HERE to find out more…

I hope the above health information has been of help to you.

Healthy Martin website is designed to assist persons and organizations with finding natural health, alternative health and holistic health choices for you, your family and friends. We encourage people, health organizations and alternative health businesses to use this website to help promote natural, holistic, organic and alternative health lifestyle choices to America.

Final Rule Renewing Over 200 Listings on the NOP National List of Allowed and Prohibited Substances

This just received from the USDA:

The National Organic Program published a final rule renewing over 200 listings on the National List of Allowed and Prohibited Substances that were scheduled to expire this year. The rule also makes changes to the following substances (unless otherwise noted, all renewals and changes are effective June 27, 2012):

Only non-amidated forms of non-organic pectin, typically added to thicken jams and jellies, will be allowed when organic pectin is not commercial available.

The listing for iodine, which is used to fortify organic foods, has been clarified.

The allowed use of chlorine materials in organic crop production has been clarified.

The allowed use of lignin sulfonate in organic crop production has been clarified.

The allowed use of non-organic colors in organic processed products has been clarified. Organic colors must be used if they are commercially available.

The allowance for streptomycin to control infections in organic apple and pear orchards has been extended until October 21, 2014.

Effective October 21, 2012, yeast used in baked goods and other processed organic products must be organic, if commercially available and intended for human consumption.

Effective October 21, 2012, sulfur dioxide (smoke bombs) will no longer be allowed for rodent control in organic crop production.

Effective January 1, 2013, hops, typically used in organic beer production, must be organic.

Final Rule for Sunset Review 2012

Questions and Answers

Press Release

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Healthy Martin website is designed to assist persons and organizations with finding natural health, alternative health and holistic health choices for you, your family and friends. We encourage people, health organizations and alternative health businesses to use this website to help promote natural, holistic, organic and alternative health lifestyle choices to America.

Certified organic products of the U.S. and the European Union can be represented as organic in each other’s market

I just received notice from the USDA National Organic Program that “beginning June 1, 2012, certified organic products of the United States (U.S.) and the European Union (EU) can be represented as organic in each other’s market.

Please see below on how to trade organic products under this partnership, including additional specifications for wine.

Exporting EU Organic Products to the U.S.
Terms of the Arrangement. In addition to certification to the USDA organic regulations, all products traded under the organic trade partnership must meet the following requirements:

Organic apples, pears, and ingredients from organic apples and pears must be produced without antibiotics. Antibiotics may not be used for at least 3 years prior to the harvest of the organic apple or pear.
Products must travel with an EU import certificate (Certificate of Inspection) that has been completed by an NOP-accredited certifying agent.
Products must be either produced or have had final processing or packaging occur within the U.S.
Memo to U.S. Certifying Agents

Exporting EU Organic Products to the U.S.
Terms of the Arrangement. In addition to certification to the EU organic regulations, all products traded under the organic trade partnership must meet the following requirements:

Livestock must be produced without antibiotics.
Products must travel with a National Organic Program (NOP) import certificate that has been completed by an EU-authorized body.
Products must be either produced or have had final processing or packaging occur within the EU.

I hope the above health information has been of help to you.
Healthy Martin website is designed to assist persons and organizations with finding natural health, alternative health and holistic health choices for you, your family and friends. We encourage people, health organizations and alternative health businesses to use this website to help promote natural, holistic, organic and alternative health lifestyle choices to America.

Organic Farmers and Growers Looking to Go Certified Organic?

If you are interested in joining the growing number of USDA Certified Organic producers, the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) can help you with financial and technical assistance through the Environmental Quality Incentives Program Organic Initiative.

Organic producers who wish to extend their growing season in an environmentally safe manner may also sign up for technical and financial assistance through the Seasonal High Tunnel Initiative. These steel-framed polyethylene-covered structures offer many benefits, including improved plant and soil quality, fewer nutrients and pesticides in the environment, and reduced energy costs for transporting crops to consumers. NRCS funding may only be used for 2,178 square feet of high tunnel per person or farming operation.

USDA Service Centers are designed to be a single location where customers can access the services provided by the Farm Service Agency, Natural Resources Conservation Service, and the Rural Development agencies. This web site will provide the address of a USDA Service Center and other Agency offices serving your area along with information on how to contact them.

CLICK HERE to go to Natural Resources Conservation Service Office Location Map

I hope the above health information has been of help to you.

Healthy Martin website is designed to assist persons and organizations with finding natural health, alternative health and holistic health choices for you, your family and friends. We encourage people, health organizations and alternative health businesses to use this website to help promote natural, holistic, organic and alternative health lifestyle choices to America.

USDA National Organic Standards – USDA ORGANIC Label-Sticker

USDA Organic Seal

USDA Organic Seal


If you buy organic produce or organic meat you have probably noticed a green sticker that says ” USDA ORGANIC “. Below we explain some of what this USDA organic food sticker should represent.

Organic Standards

The organic standards describe the specific requirements that must be verified by a USDA-accredited certifying agent before products can be labeled USDA organic. Overall, organic operations must demonstrate that they are protecting natural resources, conserving biodiversity, and using only approved substances. A brief summary is provided below. View regulations.

Organic Crops

The USDA organic seal verifies that irradiation, sewage sludge, synthetic fertilizers, prohibited pesticides, and genetically modified organisms were not used.

Organic Livestock

The USDA organic seal verifies that producers met animal health and welfare standards, did not use antibiotics or growth hormones, used 100% organic feed, and provided animals with access to the outdoors.

Organic Multi-ingredient Foods

The USDA organic seal verifies that the product has 95% or more certified organic content. If the label claims that it was made with specified organic ingredients, you can be sure that those specific ingredients are certified organic.

Regulatory Process of the National Organic Program

The NOP (National Organic Program) develops the laws that regulate the creation, production, handling, labeling, trade, and enforcement of all USDA organic products. This process, commonly referred to as rule making, involves input from the National Organic Standards Board (a Federal Advisory Committee made up of fifteen members of the public).

CLICK HERE to go to the USDA Government website for the National Organic Program

I hope the above health information has been of help to you.

The above information is opinion based except where noted. Always contact a licensed professional for information on the above subject or BEFORE applying or practicing the above information.

CLICK HERE to view “The Difference Between Certified Organic, Organic, Made with Organic Ingredients and USDA Organic Labels”

Healthy Martin website is designed to assist persons and organizations with finding natural health, alternative health and holistic health choices for you, your family and friends. We encourage people, health organizations and alternative health businesses to use this website to help promote natural, holistic, organic and alternative health lifestyle choices to America.