The Immediate Issue
Lecithin is a commonly used emulsifier in processed foods. Its role is preventing the separation of oil and water. If you've got any chocolate or ice cream around, chances are you'll see lecithin listed as an ingredient.
Currently, according to The Cornucopia Institute:
Unless the ingredients list specifically states "organic soy lecithin," the lecithin was processed from hexane-extracted soybeans, which were grown conventionally and likely sprayed with pesticides in the fields-in organic food??? Hexane is a neurotoxic chemical byproduct of gasoline refinement.
Currently, food manufacturers can legally add conventional soy lecithin to organic foods because, in the past, an organic version was not available.
So, great - in the past it wasn't available so they didn't have to use it. Except NOW it's available and the rules STILL say they don't have to use it. We're asking the NOSB to change that.
We've already petitioned them on this last fall. The committee that reviewed our petition unanimously recommended the removal of conventional lecithin from the list be approved by the full NOSB. Now the NOSB is actually meeting and we want them to vote to remove conventional lecithin on the list.
Cornucopia says:
Since this petition is opposed by a number of large corporations that would like to continue using solvent-extracted, conventional soy lecithin in organic foods (which is cheaper than the organic version), it is crucial that the NOSB hear our voices again as it prepares to cast its final vote on this important issue.
The Larger Issue
There are other foods like lecithin on the list of non-organic ingredients allowed to make up up to 5% of certified organic foods. To date, our request to remove lecithin from the list is the FIRST petition to remove any ingredient from that list. In other words - we're setting a precedent. When organic versions of the exempted foods on that list become available in the future, organic foods should be required to use the organic versions.
Cornucopia says:
There is more at stake than simply the type of lecithin you can expect to find in your organic foods in the future. If the regulations do not change when companies innovate and develop new organic ingredients, why should anyone bother investing in the expensive research and development that gives rise to the availability of new organic ingredients?
Darn good point.
How to Take Action
Go here and click on the little yellow bubble to submit a comment. Because the screen often "times out" while you write your comment, COPY your comment BEFORE you click "Next Step." Then click "Next Step." You will be able to review your comment. Scroll to the bottom of the screen and click "Submit."
IF the link above does not work for you, go to http://www.regulations.gov In the middle of the screen, you will see "Search Documents." Type in "AMS-TM-09-0014" and click "Go."
Next, you will see "Narrow Search" on the left side of the screen. Click on "Notices" under "Document Type." You may now click on "Send a Comment or Submission" underneath the search result.
Here's a sample of what to say (read it and edit it):
Dear NOSB Members,
As a consumer/farmer/processor/retailer (choose one or more), I want the highest percentage possible of organic ingredients in my organic foods.
When a substance becomes available in organic form, I support a change in the standards which requires manufacturers to use only the organic version. This is consistent with both the spirit and letter of the laws governing organic food production.
Specifically, I understand that organic soy lecithin has become available, which is why I urge the Board to recommend to the USDA that they remove non-organic soy lecithin from the National List (7 CFR 205.605 and 7 CFR 205.606) of approved non-organic materials.
As an organic stakeholder, I wish to avoid conventionally grown and hexane-extracted ingredients whenever possible. Since organic soy lecithin is never hexane-extracted and sourced from organically grown soybeans, I strongly urge the Board to vote for removing conventional soy lecithin from the National List.
Second, companies that invest time and money in the development of an organic version of commonly used food ingredients should be rewarded for their efforts in the marketplace. If the rules do not change with the times and continue to allow food manufacturers to purchase the non-organic version, why should anyone ever make the investments in the research and development of organic food ingredients in the future?
Voting to remove lecithin from the National List will ensure that processed organic foods contain organic soy lecithin. Just as importantly, it will send a strong message to organic companies that their efforts at developing organic versions of common food ingredients will not be in vain. |
