FORMAL RECOMMENDATION BY THE

NATIONAL ORGANIC STANDARDS BOARD (NOSB) 

TO THE NATIONAL ORGANIC PROGRAM (NOP) 

Date: __March 18, 2005_______

Subject: ___Use of Albumen in Winemaking________________________________ 

Chair: ___Jim Riddle_______________________________________ 

 (sign) 

Recommendation

The NOSB hereby recommends to the NOP the following: 

Rulemaking Action: ________ 

Guidance Statement: ________ 

Other: ____X____ 

Statement of the Recommendation (including Recount of Vote):

The NOSB recommends that the ingredient, albumen, needs to be petitioned. A certified 

organic source of albumen would be allowed under the regulations. 

Adopted March 2, 2005 by the NOSB: 14 yes, 0 no, 0 abstain 

Rationale Supporting Recommendation (including consistency with OFPA and NOP):

Without a petition and technical review not enough information has been provided to 

determine if albumen is agricultural or nonagricultural, or, if agricultural, if it might be 

commercially available in an organic form. 

Section 205.105(c) prohibits the use of “nonagricultural substances used in or on 

processed products, except as otherwise provided in 205.605, and 205.105.” Section 

205.105(d) prohibits the use of “nonorganic agricultural substances used in or on 

processed products, except as otherwise provided in 205.606.” Because "albumen" does 

not appear on the National List, it must be petitioned.

Response by the NOP:

Updated 2/25/05 
NOSB Recommendation 

Use of Albumen in Winemaking Q&A 

Adopted by NOSB March 2, 2005 

Introduction 

The USDA National Organic Program (NOP) has requested the NOSB to provide recommended 

guidance concerning a question regarding the use of albumen in winemaking. The NOP can 

review and distribute this recommendation to accredited certifying agents and post on the NOP 

website. 

Background 

A question has been presented to the National Organic Program (NOP) for explanation regarding 

the use of albumen in the clarification process during organic wine-making under the 

current NOP regulations. Albumen, from egg whites, is a common fining (clarifying) 

agent in wine making. It acts as a binding agent that attracts yeast, tannins and other 

debris and then sinks to the bottom. The clear wine is then removed leaving the fining 

agent and solids behind. 

The NOP has forwarded this question to the NOSB for recommended guidance. 

Specific Questions 

Is albumen allowed for use in the clarification process during organic wine-making under 

the current NOP regulations? 

Recommendation 

The NOSB recommends that the ingredient, albumen, needs to be petitioned. A certified 

organic source of albumen would be allowed under the regulations. 

Rationale 

Without a petition and technical review not enough information has been provided to 

determine if albumen is agricultural or nonagricultural, or, if agricultural, if it might be 

commercially available in an organic form. 

Section 205.105(c) prohibits the use of “nonagricultural substances used in or on 

processed products, except as otherwise provided in 205.605, and 205.105.” Section 

205.105(d) prohibits the use of “nonorganic agricultural substances used in or on 

processed products, except as otherwise provided in 205.606.” Because "albumen" does 

not appear on the National List, it must be petitioned. 

NOSB Vote: 14 yes, 0 no, 0 abstain