BIO Mary Nash Stoddard on Twitter

PRESENTING: MARY NASH STODDARD - Co-Founder of the massive international anti-aspartame movement in the mid 1980's, following the brain tumor death of her forty two year old husband, Mike. Ms. Stoddard suffered a life threatening aspartame-related blood disorder in 1985, whereupon, The NutraSweet Co. offered her an all-expense paid vacation for two anywhere in the world, if she would agree to be tested by their doctors. She declined, with the blessing of her doctor, and the rest is history. She has conducted multi-national lecture tours and is a popular visiting professor at colleges, universities and medical schools. "Deadly Deception - Story of Aspartame" is a toxicology sourcebook, edited by Ms. Stoddard, documenting the harmful effects of the world's most toxic artificial sweetener. The companion one hour "Deadly Deception" video is further documentation - taped at a prestigious scientific conference. Stoddard's efforts, over more than two decades, led to the present rejection of the sweetener by many of the food and beverage giants of industry, as they rush to distance themselves from the liabilities associated with use of a neuro-toxic substance in their products. She has testified in court as an Expert Medical Witness and like her counterpart, Erin Brokovitch, helped with a number of lawsuits on behalf of consumers. Her powerful message has reached millions around the world through the airwaves on radio and television, in print and through popular personal appearances. Honors, Awards, Societies: • Expert Medical Witness [1992-present] * Guest Presenter Gulf War Veterans Annual Conference - [Las Vegas 1999] * Visiting Professor: U. T. Southwestern Medical School [1997] * Visiting Professor: American University School of Journalism [1999] * Visiting Professor: University of North Texas at Denton Dept. of Science [1990 and 2005] • Visiting Professor: University of Houston Bioneers Conference [2006] * Invited speaker: Hebrew Univ. Jerusalem - [1997] * Keynote speech: Mexican Government's Annual Conference on Sweeteners [1999] * Appointed Judge - State of Texas [1977-1984] * Broadcast Journalist - [1965-present] * President's Council on Food Safety - [1998-1999] * International Lecture Tours - [1996-present] * Testimony Senate Committee Hearing on Safety of Aspartame - Washington [1987] * Panelist at National News Conference Announcing Dr. John Olney's Brain Tumor/Aspartame Connection - Washington D.C. [1998] * Inducted Member Texas Radio Hall of Fame [2002-present] Representative of the Texas Rice Growers Association [Miss Rice] Board member: Irving Symphony Orchestra Board Member: Irving Community Theater Founding Board Member Radio Station KNON [public radio], Dallas Charter member City of Dallas Citizens Safety Committee Board Member Dallas Mayor’s Fee Task Force Vice President Operation Get Involved, [liaison committee of the D.P.D.] Board member Dallas Homeowners League President Save Open Space Texas Steering Committee Presidential Election Award for Public Service - Mexican Government State of Texas Board of Adjustment

Thursday, April 28, 2016

OTHER INGREDIENTS ALLOWED OR PROHIBITED IN PROCESSED ORGANIC PRODUCTS

http://www.ams.usda.gov/AMSv1.0/getfile?dDocName=STELPRDC5095484

November 23, 2011

MEMORANDUM FOR THE NATIONAL ORGANIC STANDARDS BOARD (NOSB)
FROM: Miles McEvoy Deputy Administrator National Organic Program (NOP) 
SUBJECT: Request for Clarification of "Other Ingredients" in Processed Organic Products
November 23, 2011 Revision – Supersedes November 15, 2011 Version

The Organic Foods Production Act (OFPA) authorizes USDA to establish the National List of Allowed and Prohibited Substances. OFPA also grants the National Organic Standards Board (NOSB) the authority to recommend adding materials to or removing materials from the National List. The National List identifies substances that may and may not be used in organic crop and livestock production. In general, synthetic substances are prohibited for use in organic production unless specifically allowed, and non-synthetic (natural) substances are allowed unless specifically prohibited. For handling, the National List includes the non-organic substances that may be used in or on processed organic products. OFPA requires that the National List contain an itemized list of each permitted synthetic substance, including its specific use and application. The NOP recognizes that additional clarity is needed regarding non-agricultural ingredients used in processed organic products and listed under § 205.605.

When used as a formulated product, some substances on the National List may contain additional ingredients in various categories, including, but not limited to, carriers, stabilizers, and preservatives. Such "other ingredients" are sometimes referred to as inert ingredients, excipients, or incidental additives. For organic crop and livestock production, these "other ingredients" are specifically outlined in the regulations. For example, each ingredient in a livestock input material (e.g. medication, pesticide, feed additive) must meet one of the following criteria:
•Nonsynthetic (natural) substance which is not prohibited on § 205.604. 
•Allowed synthetic substances which is allowed on § 205.603. 
•Synthetic inert ingredient which is allowed on § 205.603(e), if listed on the Environmental Protection
Agency (EPA) List 4-Inerts of Minimal Concern, and used in combination with allowed pesticide active
ingredients. 
•Excipient, only for use in the manufacture of drugs used to treat organic livestock if the excipient meets
one of the following criteria: ­ 
Identified by the FDA as Generally Regarded as Safe. ­ 
Approved by the FDA as a food additive. ­ 
Included in the FDA review and approval of a new animal drug application or new drug application.

Additionally, all agricultural ingredients listed in the ingredients list for feed additives and supplements must be organic.
1400 Independence Avenue, S.W. Room 2646-South, STOP 0268 Washington, DC 20250-0201

Request for Clarification of "Other Ingredients" in Processed Organic Products Page 2 of 2

For organic crop production, examples of products with multiple ingredients include blended fertilizers, pesticides with inert ingredients, and potting soil with wetting agents. However, each ingredient must meet one of the following criteria:
• Nonsynthetic (natural) substance which is not prohibited on § 205.602. • Synthetic substance which is allowed on § 205.601. • Synthetic inert ingredient which is allowed on § 205.601(m), if listed on the Environmental Protection
Agency (EPA) List 4-Inerts of Minimal Concern , and used in combination with allowed pesticide active ingredients. For passive pheromone dispensers, substances on EPA List 3-Inerts of Unknown Toxicity are also allowed.

Currently, the allowance of "other ingredients" in substances on the National List for use in processed organic products is unclear. Several certifying agents and members of the organic trade have asked the NOP to clarify which "other ingredients" are allowed. Since OFPA requires that each non-agricultural ingredient be specifically allowed, and because the National List doesn't specifically list "other ingredients" commonly found in formulated products, the NOP is requesting that the NOSB specify whether these "other ingredients" are allowed.

NOP Request to NOSB
The NOP is requesting that the NOSB develop a policy on "other ingredients" in § 205.605 substances that is comparable to the comprehensive policy for crop and livestock materials. From this point forward, the NOP is requesting that the NOSB consider the presence of any "other ingredients" as part of their review processes. As substances on the National List come up for sunset review, or as new petitions are considered, the NOP requests that NOSB clarify whether any restrictions are warranted for "other ingredients" in § 205.605 substances. Any third-party technical report that the NOP provides will include information on any "other ingredients" commonly found in the substance under review.

The NOP is requesting that the NOSB specify any allowed "other ingredients" in the background section of their recommendations for substances recommended for listing on § 205.605, so that these allowances are clear to the organic trade, certifying agents, and the NOP. Any "other ingredients" that are not listed on § 205.605, or that are not referenced in the background section of the recommendation, would not be allowed in formulations of substances on § 205.605 that are used in or on processed products labeled as "organic" or "made with organic (specified ingredients or food group(s))".

The NOP recognizes that the NOSB may want to address the subject further in the future with a comprehensive policy for "other ingredients" that may be included in permitted handling materials. Some questions that could be addressed in a future recommendation could include the following:

1. Should all agricultural ingredients that are "other ingredients" be organically produced? 
2. Are synthetic preservatives allowed as "other ingredients?"

These steps will allow the NOP to clearly identify which formulated products are allowed under the processing section of the National List. Clear regulations will in turn allow certifying agents and the organic trade to consistently interpret these requirements. The NOP looks forward to working with the NOSB to continue to enhance the integrity of USDA organic products.


Mary Nash Stoddard
marystod@gmail.com


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