Certified organic 2024 – Changes ahead
CHICAGO — Much has changed in the US organic food and beverage sector since the US Department of Agriculture National Organic Program (NOP) was established in 2000. And 2024 will bring more changes, everything from stricter regulations to a growing demand for imports.
To ensure organic remains a reliable certification for shoppers, NOP issued its Strengthening Organic Enforcement (SOE) rule that went into effect on March 20, 2023. Operations and certifiers must fully comply with the rule by March 19, 2024.
The SOE closes loopholes that have enabled ingredients that do not meet NOP standards to enter the organic supply chain, leading to fraud. Key updates include requiring certification of more of the businesses at critical links in organic supply chains.
Previously, only operations involved in producing, processing, packaging and labeling organic products required certification. The SOE requires buyers, sellers, brokers and traders to be certified.
“The USDA estimated 4,000 to 5,000 companies would need new certification,” said Nate Ensrud, vice president – US technical services, certification and food safety solutions, FoodChain ID, Fairfield, Iowa. “Many organizations think they are exempt when they are not. It’s the middle layer of the supply chain that is of primary concern.
“Over the