This is a Sunset Preliminary Review by a Subcommittee of the National Organic Standards Board (NOSB). Sunset preliminary reviews are posted for 

public comment and the NOSB will refer to them to complete the sunset review process. They are not final Board recommendations or NOP policy. 

For more information, see the Sunset Review and Renewal Process fact sheet, and Federal Register notice of Sept. 16, 2013.

Sunset 2015 Review 

Meeting 2 - October 2014 

Handling Subcommittee Review

Marsala

August 22, 2014

As part of the National List Sunset Review process, the NOSB Handling Subcommittee has evaluated the need for 

the continued allowance for or prohibition of the following substances for use in organic handling.

Marsala Agricultural

Use – As nonorganically produced agricultural product allowed as ingredient in or on processed products

Listing: Fortified cooking wines. (1) Marsala 

Technical Report: none

Petition(s): Marsala, (2007)

Past NOSB Actions: NOSB review and recommendation for addition to the National List 11/30/07 

Regulatory Background:

Proposed for addition to National List 6/3/09 (74 FR 26591) 

Added to National List 12/13/2010 (75 FR 7751)

Sunset Date: 12/14/2015

Reference: 7 CFR 205.606(g)(1)

Subcommittee Review

Summary:

This is the second posting for the Sunset 2015 review for Fortified Cooking Wine – Marsala, which was added 

to the National list in 2010; please refer to the questions answered in Category 4. 

Marsala was originally petitioned in 2007 for addition to 205.606 because it was considered a unique flavor 

ingredient that was not commercially available as organic. At present, there appears to be very few if any

organic entrees utilizing Marsala as an ingredient. This could be an indication of low consumer product 

demand. The Handling Subcommittee proposes to remove Marsala from 205.606, and we request that the 

public provide comment regarding the following: the commercial demand for both conventional and organic

Marsala, and the impact that the removal of Marsala from 205.606 would have on your business. During the 

first comment period, in spring 2014, the original petitioner, did not comment and the Subcommittee could 

not find current contact information for them. 

Motion to Remove:

This proposal to remove will be considered by the NOSB at its public meeting.

Based on the Subcommittee’s review, the Subcommittee proposes removal of this substance from the 

National List based on the following criteria in the Organic Foods Production Act (OFPA) and/or 7 CFR 

205.600(b) if applicable: 205.600(b)(6) the substance is essential for the handling of organically produced 

agricultural products.

In an informal 2013 survey of a handful of stores and certifiers, no products containing Marsala were 
encountered. It appears that there is limited to zero use of Marsala in organic entrees in the US; this might be 

an indication of low demand or little interest in Marsala as an ingredient in organic entrees. Additionally, no 

organic or conventional Marsala was found to be available on any of the 30 websites listed on the original 

2007 Sherry Petition Organic Fortified Cooking Wine Source List. With low demand, the limited availability of 

organic Marsala in the U.S. may not be an issue. Without input from the original petitioner, it’s difficult to 

assess the impact of a decision to de-list Marsala.

The Handling Subcommittee believes that the full board should have the opportunity to complete the review 

of each sunset material by voting. The NOP has stated that to do this a motion to remove should be brought 

from the subcommittee for each substance. If the Subcommittee motion to remove fails to receive a majority, 

the motion will still be put forward to the full board for review. The motion to remove is voted by the full 

board and needs to receive a 2/3 majority to recommend removal.

Motion: Remove Marsala from the National List at 205.606(g)(1)

Motion by: Tracy Favre

Seconded by: Zea Sonnabend

Yes: 6 No: 0 Abstain: 0 Recuse: 0 Absent: 2

NOSB Evaluation Criteria for Substances Added To the National List (Optional Checklist)

Category 4. Is the commercial supply of an organic agricultural substance fragile or potentially unavailable? 

[§6610, 6518, 6519, §205.2, § 205.105(d), §205.600(c)] Substance: Marsala cooking wine

Question Yes No N/A Comments/Documentation. (TAP; petition; 

regulatory agency; other)

1. Is the comparative description as to why the 

non-organic form of the material /substance 

is necessary for use in organic handling

provided? 

x 2007 original Petition (pg.1-2)-Marsala is a 

key flavor ingredient in organic entrees. In 

2007, there were no sources of organic 

fortified cooking wine available in the 

quantity and form necessary for their 

products.

2. Does the current and historical industry 

information, research, or evidence provided 

explain how or why the material /substance 

cannot be obtained organically in the 

appropriate form to fulfill an essential 

function in a system of organic handling? 

x In an informal 2013 survey of a handful of 

stores and certifiers, no products containing 

marsala were encountered. It appears that 

there is limited to zero use of marsala in 

organic entrees in the US; this might be an 

indication of low demand or little interest in 

marsala as an ingredient in organic entrees.

Additionally, no organic or conventional 

marsala was found to be available on any of 

the 30 websites listed on the original 2007 

Sherry Petition Organic Fortified Cooking 

Wine Source List.

3. Does the current and historical industry 

information, research, or evidence provided 

explain how or why the material /substance 

x See question # 2. 

rev: August 2014
cannot be obtained organically in the 

appropriate quality to fulfill an essential 

function in a system of organic handling? 

4. Does the current and historical industry 

information, research, or evidence provided 

explain how or why the material /substance 

cannot be obtained organically in the 

appropriate quantity to fulfill an essential 

function in a system of organic handling?

x See question # 2.

5. Does the industry information about 

unavailability include (but is not limited to) 

the following?:

a. Regions of production (including factors 

such as climate and number of regions);

x

b. Number of suppliers and amount 

produced;

x

c. Current and historical supplies related to 

weather events such as hurricanes, 

floods, and droughts that may 

temporarily halt production or destroy 

crops or supplies; 

x

d. Trade-related issues such as evidence of 

hoarding, war, trade barriers, or civil 

unrest that may temporarily restrict 

supplies; or

x

e. Other issues which may present a 

challenge to a consistent supply?

x If there is no demand for marsala, there will 

be no incentive to produce organic marsala.

rev: August 2014