The USDA’s National Organic Program has just taken (9/16/13) a unilateral step to undermine organic standards by a rule change that encourages the indefinite use of synthetic and non-organic materials in organic products. Until now, National Organic Program policy allowed only the temporary use of such substances for a proscribed period of time with the intent of forcing users to search for organic alternatives. Now, the allowance of synthetic and non-organic substances will be allowed permanently unless prohibited by a two-thirds majority of the National Organic Standards Board. The incentive to search for organic solutions has been undermined.
Please request that the National Organic Standards Board reconsider this decision harmful to organic consumers.