In a follow up to a June post on organic standards, the USDA is considering a rule change to allow industrial processors to make organic foods with a long list of non-organic ingredients—undercutting small producers, organic farmers, and consumer confidence.

In 2005 a federal judge ordered industrial food processors to stop using conventional ingredients in foods they labeled “organic.” Rather than comply with the order, the industry petitioned the USDA to add their non-organic ingredients to the “approved substances” list for organic food processing. If this final rule is approved, grocery manufacturers will be able to use 38 conventionally-produced ingredients, including plant colorings, gelatin, and sausage casings in the organic products consumers pay a premium for—it would even allow non-organic hops in certified organic beer!

Consumers put a high value on products made without toxic pesticides, chemical fertilizers, and genetically-modified ingredients, and grocery manufacturers must respect those wishes if they want to serve the organic market.