National Organic Standards Board

Crops Subcommittee Proposal

Marine Algae Listings on the National List

February 15, 2017

I INTRODUCTION

During its recent five year sunset review of almost 200 materials, the NOSB and public comment noted 

that the listings of the nine (9) marine materials on the National List includes overlap in species and lack 

of scientific clarity. A discussion document was posted and substantive public comment received in Fall 

2016. Based on public comment from a broad cross-section of stakeholders, this proposal recommends 

that the marine algae materials be annotated with Latin binomials where possible, or by Class, and that 

the NOP review the word “kelp” as used in organic production and clarify if marine materials on the List 

should be classified as agricultural or non-agricultural. 

II BACKGROUND

There are nine separate listings for marine materials on the National List that are the subject of this 

document and an identical proposal brought forward by the Handling Subcommittee: 

1. Aquatic plant extracts (Technical report [TR] 2006) - aquatic plant (algae) extracts are most 

commonly derived from kelp, such as Ascophyllum species and Ecklonia maxima (Sea Bamboo), 

as well as other seaweeds harvested from the North Atlantic. Ascophyllum nodosum,

(Rockweed) is in the Fucaceae, a brown seaweed, Class Phaeophyceae.

2. Alginic acid (TR 2015) is primarily extracted from brown seaweeds, Class Phaeophyceae. Major

commercial sources are from species that include Ascophyllum (North Atlantic), Laminaria,

Saccharina (various northern hemisphere oceans), and Macrocystis (California and Mexico), with 

lesser sources from Lessonia (South America), Durvilea (Australia), Ecklonia (South Africa), 

Sargassum, and Turbinaria. 

3. Agar-Agar (TR 2011) is typically derived from red seaweeds, Class Rhodophyceae. The marine 

algae that produce agar-agar are widely distributed throughout the world, and several different 

species are utilized for extraction. Most commercial agar-agar is extracted from Gelidium and 

Gracilaria species, but other commonly used species include Pterocladia and Gelidiella. The 

most important sources worldwide include the coasts of Japan, Spain, Portugal, Morocco, 

Senegal, Chile, Mexico, the southern United States, India, the Philippines, Madagascar, South 

Africa, Egypt, and New Zealand although many other countries also supply algae used to make 

agar-agar. Although most agar-agar is produced from algae that grow in the oceans, Gracilaria

algae are also cultivated on a commercial scale by some countries. 

4. Carrageenan (TR 2011) is a generic term for a family of linear polysaccharides derived from 

species of red seaweeds (Rhodophyceae). They can be wild harvested or cultivated. Typical 

species used are Chondrus crispus, Mastocarpus stellatus, Euchema cottonii and Eucheuma 

spinosum, which grow in the warm waters of the Philippines, Indonesia, and Tanzania and 

produce kappa- and iota-carrageenan, respectively. The Asia-Pacific region has remained the 

largest source of carrageen-producing seaweed, supplying over 50% of the market from 1999 

through 2009, and the Americas have similarly maintained 16-18% of the global market. 

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5. Alginates are derived from brown seaweeds (TR 2015). Of the species in the class of brown 

seaweeds, 41 species are used for extracting alginates, including: Ascophyllum nodosum from 

Ireland, Norway, and the UK; Cystoseira barbata from Egypt; Durvillaea potatorum from 

Australia; Fucus serratus, F. vesiculosus from Ireland; Laminaria digitata from France and

Ireland; Laminaria hyperborea from Ireland, Norway, Spain, and the UK; Laminaria japonica

from China; Laminaria ochroleuca from Spain; Lessonia nigrescens from Chile and Peru; Lessonia 

trabeculata from Chile; Macrocystis integrifolia from Peru; Sargassum crassifolium, S. 

gramminifolium, S. henslowianum, S. mcclurei, S. siliquosum, and S. vachelliannum from

Vietnam; Sargassum ilicifolium, S. myriocystum, S. wightii, Turbinaria conoides, T. decurrens, and

T. ornata from India; Sargassum polycystum from Indonesia and Thailand.

6. Beta-carotene from algae (TR 2011) is typically derived from green algae, Class Chlorophyceae. 

The common source of beta-carotene color is derived from the micro-algae Dunaliella salina and 

Dunaliella bardawil. These species are cultivated. Dunaliella species are commonly observed in 

salt lakes in all parts of the world from tropical to temperate to Polar Regions, where they often 

impart an orange-red color to the water. In a review article conducted by Dufosse et al. (2005), 

they concluded that algal forms are the richest source of pigments and can be produced in a 

renewable manner since they produce some unique pigments sustainably. The report also 

stated that the production of β-carotene from Dunaliella will surpass synthetic as well as other 

natural sources due to microalgae sustainability of production and their renewable nature (TR 

2011, 530-545).

7. Kelp (TR 2016) is a broad generic term for brown seaweeds, Class Phaeophyceae, in the Order 

Laminariales, with at least 30 genera and many species, and in the Order Fucaceae, such as

Ascophyllum nodosum.

NOP 5027 states that kelps are brown algae and are among the most common seaweeds 

consumed as food. Stationary kelps/seaweeds rooted via a holdfast are wild harvested from the 

intertidal (eulittoral zone) and deeper (sublittoral zone) waters throughout the world’s oceans.

However the term “kelp” as used in fertilizer means ANY macroalgae seaweed, brown 

(Phaeophyceae), red (Rhodophyceae), or green (Chlorophyceae) (Assoc. of American Plant Food 

Control Officials (AAPFCO)). 

To further confuse the definition of kelp, the American Association of Feed Control Officials 

(AAFCO – as distinct from AAPFCO) approves dried kelp from the families Laminariaceae and 

Fucaceae for use as ingredients in livestock feed (see also NOP 5027).

NOTE: Kelp used in organic livestock production must be certified, but for use in 

processing/handling for humans non-organic kelp is allowed. 

The FDA lists 4 species under the definition of Kelp: Macrocystia pyrifera, Laminaria digitata, 

Laminaria saccharina, and Laminaria cloustoni (21 CFR 172.365).

OMRI definition of Kelp:

(1) Crop production- The dried marine algae of the botanical divisions of Rhodophyta (red algae) 

Phaeophyta (brown algae) and Chlorophyta (green algae) (AAPFCO). 

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(2) Livestock production – Seaweed of the families Laminariaceae and Fucaceae (American 

Association of Feed Control Officials (AAFCO). 

(3) Processing and Handling – The dehydrated, ground product prepared from the brown algae 

species Macrocystis pyrifera, Laminaria saccharina, and Laminaria coustoni (21 CFR 172.365). 

Kelp classification: The NOP received comments asserting that kelp is not agricultural and 

should be permitted only as a nonsynthetic, nonagricultural ingredient in organic livestock feed 

as per § 205.237(a). This position implies that kelp should not have to be certified organic to be 

used in organic livestock feed. However, kelp is currently listed as an agricultural product under 

§ 205.606 of the National List of Allowed and Prohibited Substances (National List). Because kelp 

is listed at § 205.606, the NOP considers kelp an agricultural product, and therefore, kelp must 

be certified organic to be included in livestock feed (see comments received in response to 

publication of draft guidance, NOP 5022 – Wild Crop Harvesting. 70 FR 62693 [October 13, 

2010]). 

Pacific Kombu and Undaria innatifida, listed separately on the National List, are also Kelp 

species. 

8. Seaweed - Pacific Kombu is a kelp, often Laminaria japonica or Saccharina japonica. This species 

is cultivated in waters of Japan, Korea, and China. 

9. Wakame - Undaria pinnatifida is a kelp species native to cold temperate coastal waters in Japan, 

Korea, and China, but it has also become an invasive weed species in numerous other locations.

Undaria is widely cultivated in China and Japan.

III RELEVANT AREAS OF THE RULE, FDA, NOP GUIDANCE, NOP POLICY MEMO, OMRI

§205.601 Synthetic substances allowed for use in organic crop production

In accordance with restrictions specified in this section, the following synthetic substances may be used 

in organic crop production: Provided that, use of such substances does not contribute to contamination 

of crops, soil, or water...

(j) As plant or soil amendments. 

(1) Aquatic plant extracts (other than hydrolyzed) –Extraction process is limited to the use of 

potassium hydroxide or sodium hydroxide; solvent amount use is limited to that amount 

necessary for extraction.

§205.207 Wild-crop harvesting practice standard.

(a) A wild crop that is intended to be sold, labeled, or represented as organic must be harvested from a 

designated area that has had no prohibited substance as set forth in §205.105, applied to it for a period 

of 3 years immediately preceding the harvest of the wild crop.

(b) A wild crop must be harvested in a manner that ensures that such harvesting or gathering will not be 

destructive to the environment and will sustain the growth and production of the wild crop.

NOP 5022, effective July 22, 2011, Guidance- Wild Crop Harvesting, provides details to clarify 205-207.

NOP 5020, effective 1/15/16, Guidance: Natural Resources and Biodiversity Conservation. Purpose: To 

clarify organic regulations at 7 CFR 205.200, which states, “to maintain or improve the natural resources 

of the operation....”.

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NOP Policy Memo 12-1, Production and Certification of Aquatic Plants, issued September 12, 2012 

provides further clarification as follows:

This policy memorandum is issued as a reminder that aquatic plants and their products may be 

certified under the current USDA organic regulations. Certifiers and their clients may use the USDA 

organic regulations, including the National List of Allowed and Prohibited Substances at 7 Code of 

Federal Regulations (CFR) 205.601-205.602, as the basis for the production and certification of 

cultured and wild crop harvested aquatic plants. 

While current USDA organic regulations specifically exclude aquatic animals from organic 

certification, no such exclusion exists for aquatic plants. Further, some parts of the USDA organic 

regulations specifically address aquatic plant production. For example, some aquatic plants, such as 

kelps and seaweeds, are listed in 7 CFR 205.606 of the USDA organic regulations, allowing their use 

in non-organic form when certified organic forms are not commercially available. Producers and 

certifiers are required to comply with the USDA organic regulations when producing or certifying 

cultured and wild crop harvested aquatic plants. 

The use of ground and surface waters, ponds, streams, or other waterways for aquatic plant 

production may be regulated by Federal, State, or local authorities. Aquatic plant producers should 

consult with Federal, State, and local authorities to ensure compliance with all applicable laws, in 

addition to the USDA organic regulations, regarding the use of synthetic substances and other 

materials in ponds and waterways. Also, under 7 CFR 205.200, aquatic plant producers must ensure, 

and certifying agents must verify, that production practices maintain or improve the natural 

resources of the operation, including soil and water quality. 

IV DISCUSSION:

The NOSB submitted brief information on each of the nine materials and posed seven questions for the 

limited scope TR in 2016. Questions were posed to the public in the subsequent NOSB discussion 

document (November 2016), and thousands of pages of public comment and peer reviewed scientific 

research articles were received, providing the NOSB with a substantive body of documented research 

from a number of perspectives.

Public comment included concerns for the following:

• Lack of clarity as to which species are 

allowed on the National List and 

confusion over names used.

• Desire to encourage organic cultivation 

and wild harvesting of marine 

materials.

• Need for clarification of which species 

can or are being cultivated. 

• Clarification of wild harvesting 

techniques. 

• Feasibility of harvesting by individual 

species selection as opposed to multispecies harvesting by littoral or marine 

zone

• Extraction methods. 

• Sequestration of metals or other 

contaminants in some wild and 

cultivated algal species.

Public comment from all sectors strongly supported a proposal to clarify and annotate the marine algae 

listing through use of Latin binomials as far as possible and recommended NOP Guidance.

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V PROPOSAL: 

Motion to annotate the marine algae listings as follows, shown in underline:

§205.601 Synthetic substances allowed for use in organic crop production

In accordance with restrictions specified in this section, the following synthetic substances may be used 

in organic crop production: Provided that, use of such substances does not contribute to contamination 

of crops, soil, or water... 

(j) As plant or soil amendments.

(1) Aquatic plant extracts (other than hydrolyzed) derived from brown seaweeds, class 

Phaeophyceae. –Extraction process is limited to the use of potassium hydroxide or sodium 

hydroxide; solvent amount use is limited to that amount necessary for extraction. 

Vote in Crops Subcommittee:

Motion by: Emily Oakley

Seconded by: Jesse Buie

Yes: 9 No: 0 Abstain: 0 Absent: 0 Recuse: 0

Approved by Francis Thicke, Subcommittee Chair to transmit to NOSB, February 17, 2017

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