Note: Subcommittee notes may include preliminary discussions regarding substances considered for addition to or removal from the 

National List. They do not represent official National Organic Program (NOP) policy/regulations or NOSB recommendations. Proposals 

must be voted on by the full Board, to become recommendations to the USDA. Please see the NOP website for official NOP policy, 

regulations, and status of substances used in organic production and handling.

Handling Subcommittee (HS) Notes 

Tuesday, December 07, 2021 1:00 pm ET

Present: Kyla Smith (KS), Chair; Mindee Jeffery (MJ), Vice Chair; Carolyn Dimitri (CD); Steve Ela (SE); Kim 

Huseman (KH); Logan Petrey (LP); Wood Turner (WT); Nate Powell-Palm (NPP) - observer

Absent: Asa Bradman (AB)

Staff: Jared Clark (JC); Andrea Holm (AH)

Agenda

• November 16, 2021 notes

• Discuss 2024 Sunsets:

o Bentonite (WT) - Discuss review

o Magnesium chloride (KS) - Discuss review

o Nitrogen (KS) - Discuss review

o Potassium acid tartrate (SE) - Discuss review

o Carbon dioxide (CD) - Discuss review

• Additional Items 

o Revisit status of 12.21.21 call

o Research Priorities

o Schedule remaining work agenda items and reassign leads as needed

• Adjourn

Discussion

• November 16, 2021 notes were accepted as written

• 2024 Sunsets:

o Bentonite (WT) - The lead summarized the uses, manufacture, international acceptance, and 

environmental issues of bentonite. Members discussed additional questions to stakeholders.

o Magnesium chloride (KS) - The lead summarized the uses and manufacture of magnesium 

chloride, international acceptance, environmental issues, and the previous NOSB sunset review 

and recent reclassification. Members discussed additional questions to the stakeholders and the 

sunset review process for similar substances with different sunset dates.

o Nitrogen (KS) - The lead summarized the uses and manufacture of nitrogen, as well as 

international acceptance, environmental issues, and the previous NOSB sunset review. The lead 

and members do not have any stakeholder questions.

o Potassium acid tartrate (SE) - The lead summarized uses of potassium acid tartrate, the last 

NOSB sunset review, public comment received, and recent reclassification.

o Carbon dioxide (CD) - No new comments from the lead. The document was sent to the HS Chair.

• Additional Items

o Status of 12.21.21 call - The 12.21.21 call is canceled.

o Research Priorities - Members discussed research priorities, food handling and processing 

public comments, and where these documents go after the NOSB issues them. Members 

discussed asking NIFA for RFA reports and on how the NOSB research priorities are 

disseminated. Members are to review the research priorities document in preparation for the 

1.18.22 call.

o Schedule remaining work agenda items and reassign leads as needed - New leads, where 

needed, will be assigned after new board members are announced.

• The meeting was adjourned
Previous HS Notes

Future call schedule (1st and 3rd Tuesdays 1:00 PM ET | 10:00 AM PT, except where noted.)

November 16, 2021

2024 Sunsets

Acidified sodium chlorite (CD) - Discuss review

Carbon dioxide (CD) - Discuss review

Attapulgite (KH) - Discuss review

Diatomaceous earth (KH) - Discuss review

Sodium carbonate (AB) - Discuss review

December 7, 2021

2024 Sunsets

Bentonite (WT) - Discuss review

Magnesium chloride (KS) - Discuss review

Nitrogen (KS) - Discuss review

Potassium acid tartrate (SE) - Discuss review

Carbon dioxide (CD) - Discuss review

Additional Items

Status of 12.21.21 call

Research Priorities

Schedule remaining work agenda items

December 21, 2021 - canceled

January 4, 2022

Petitions

Phosphoric acid - amend annotation (KS) - Discuss proposal and vote

PLA (LP) - Discuss proposal and vote pending TR receipt and sufficiency determination (topic 

may be moved to 1.18.22)

Research Priorities (KS) - Discuss list in order to send to MS by 01.25.22

January 18, 2022 - Last call before Research Priorities are due to MS (01.25.22)

2024 Sunsets

Sodium phosphates (WT) - Discuss review

Petitions

CPC (WT/AB) - Discuss proposal and vote

Research Priorities (KS)

February 1, 2022

February 15, 2022 - Last call before proposal deadline (2.16.22)

March 1, 2022

March 15, 2022

April 5, 2022

April 19, 2022

May 3, 2022

May 17, 2022

June 7, 2022

June 21, 2022

July 5, 2022

July 19, 2022

August 2, 2022
August 16, 2022

September 6, 2022

September 20, 2022

October 4, 2022

October 18, 2022

November 1, 2022

November 15, 2022

December 6, 2022

December 20, 2022

Work Agenda

*Highlight indicates discussion. *Highlight indicates action needed. *Highlight indicates review completion

and/or vote.

Petitioned Substances

Substance National List Contact Doc Type Notes* 

Scheduled,

Discussed, 

Voted

Target

meeting 

Whey protein 

concentrate

(removal from 

205.606)

205.606 SE/AB Proposal Petition sent to HS 

12.23.19. Suff. due 2.29.20. 

HS sent additional 

questions to petitioner 

2.04.20. Questions revised 

and resent 3.13.20. 

Response returned 3.23.20. 

Suff. due ASAP. Petition 

found suff. 7.07.20. ON 

HOLD pending completion 

of Fall 2020 sunset 

recommendations.

TBD TBD

Cetylpyridinium 

chloride (CPC)

205.605 WT/AB Proposal Petition sent to HS 1.13.20. 

Suff. due 3.13.20. HS sent 

additional questions to 

petitioner 3.17.20.

Petitioner’s responses sent 

to HS 5.4.20. Petition found 

suff. 5.19.20. TR requested 

6.02.20. TR due midJanuary. TR sent to HS 

2.2.21. TR suff. due 4.3.21. 

HS sent additional 

questions to TR contractor 

3.16.21. DRAFT TR sent to 

CS 6.28.21. TR sent to HS 

8.5.21. TR suff. due 10.4.21. 

TR found suff. 9.21.21.

5.19.20

06.02.20

07.21.20

3.16.21

8.3.21

9.21.21

1.18.22

Spr 2022

Phosphoric acid 

- amend 

annotation

Addendum #1

205.605(b) KS Proposal 2003 TR

Petition sent to HS 1.28.20. 

Petition suff. due 3.28.20. 

HS sent additional 

questions to petitioner 

8.3.21

9.21.21

10.4.21

1.4.22

Spr 2022
Other Projects

2024 Sunset Review

TR Requests (June 2021), Summary (Spr 2022), Review (Fall 2022)

Addendum #2 3.17.20. Response sent to 

HS 4.6.20. HS sent

additional questions to 

petitioner 5.6.20. Response 

sent to HS 8.10.20. Petition 

found sufficient 9.1.20. TR 

request sent 12.1.20. TR 

sent to HS 8.5.21. TR suff. 

due 10.4.21. TR found suff. 

10.4.21

Peroxylactic 

Acid (“PLA”) 

205.605(b) LP TBD Petition sent to HS 4.07.21. 

Petition suff. due 6.6.21. 

Petition found suff. 6.1.21. 

TR requested 8.3.21. TR 

due to NOP 12.22.21

5.18.21

6.1.21

8.3.21

1.4.22

Spr 2022

Project Contact Notes* 

Scheduled,

Discussed, 

Voted

Target

meeting 

L-Malic acid 

reclassification

TBD Work agenda request 5.13.19. Sent to NOP 7.3.19. 

Approved by NOP 8.6.19. ON HOLD.

TBD TBD

Research 

Priorities

KS/All RPs due to MS 1.25.22 12.7.21

1.4.22

1.18.22

Spr 2022

Ion Exchange KS NOP response memo sent to HS 8.10.21 9.21.21

10.5.21

TBD

Spr 2022

Substance National List Contact TR

Request? Notes* 

Scheduled, 

Discussed, 

Voted

Target 

meeting 

Attapulgite 205.605(a) KH N Sunset date: 10.30.24

TR: 2010 TR.

2017/Fall – Rec to Renew

5.18.21

6.1.21

11.16.21

Summary: 

Spr 2022

Review: 

Fall 2022

Bentonite 205.605(a) WT N Sunset date: 10.30.24

TR: 1995 TAP.

2017/Fall – Rec to Renew

5.18.21

6.1.21

12.7.21

“ “

Diatomaceous 

earth

205.605(a) KH N Sunset date: 10.30.24

TR: 1995 TAP.

2017/Fall – Rec to Renew

5.18.21

6.1.21

11.16.21

“ “

Magnesium 

chloride

205.605(a) KS N Sunset date: 11.22.24

TR: 1995 TAP; 2016 TR. 

2017/Fall – Rec to Renew

5.18.21

6.1.21

12.7.21

“ “
Milestones 

Nitrogen 205.605(a) KS N Sunset date: 10.30.24

TR: 1995 TAP.

2017/Fall – Rec to Renew

5.18.21

6.1.21

12.7.21

“ “

Sodium 

carbonate 

205.605(a) AB N Sunset date: 10.30.24

TR: 1995 TAP.

2017/Fall – Rec to Renew

5.18.21

6.1.21

11.16.21

“ “

Acidified 

sodium chlorite

205.605(b) CD N Sunset date: 10.30.24

TR: 2008 TAP; 2013 TR 

(livestock).

2017/Fall – Rec to Renew

5.18.21

6.1.21

11.16.21

“ “

Carbon dioxide 205.605(b) CD N Sunset date: 10.30.24

TR: 1995 TAP; 2006 TAP.

2017/Fall – Rec to Renew

5.18.21

6.1.21

11.16.21

12.7.21

“ “

Sodium 

phosphates 

205.605(b) WT N Sunset date: 10.30.24

TR: 2001 TAP; 2016 TR 

(phosphates).

2017/Fall – Rec to Renew

5.18.21

6.1.21

1.18.22

“ “

Casings 205.606(b) MJ N Sunset date: 10.30.24

TR: N/A

2017/Fall – Rec to Renew

5.18.21

6.1.21

11.2.21

“ “

Pectin 205.606(p) MJ N Sunset date: 10.30.24

TR: 1995 TAP; 2009 TR; 2010 

TR (supplemental); 2015 

Limited Scope TR.

2017/Fall – Rec to REMOVE

5.18.21

6.1.21

11.2.21

“ “

Potassium acid 

tartrate 

205.606(q) SE/AB N Sunset date: 05.30.24

TR: 1995 TAP; 2017 TR.

2017/Fall – Rec to Renew

5.18.21

6.1.21

12.7.21

“ “

Spring 2022 Milestones Target dates (tentative)

NOP - Publish FRN, Open public comment ~Nov 12, 2021

NOSB - Spring 2022 proposals due to NOP Feb 16, 2022

New NOSB member training TBD

NOP - Draft Spring 2022 NOSB meeting tentative agenda Feb 2, 2022

NOP - Post proposals Mar 3, 2022

Public comment closes Apr 1, 2022

NOP - Send compiled public comments to NOSB Apr 4, 2022

Public comment webinars Apr 20 & 21, 2022

Spring 2022 NOSB meeting - Crystal City, VA Apr 26 - 28, 2022

Final recommendations due May 27, 2022
Note: Subcommittee notes may include preliminary discussions regarding substances considered for addition to or removal from the 

National List. They do not represent official National Organic Program (NOP) policy/regulations or NOSB recommendations. Proposals 

must be voted on by the full Board, to become recommendations to the USDA. Please see the NOP website for official NOP policy, 

regulations, and status of substances used in organic production and handling.

Handling Subcommittee (HS) Notes 

Tuesday, November 16, 2021 1:00 pm ET

Present: Kyla Smith (KS), Chair; Carolyn Dimitri (CD); Steve Ela (SE); Mindee Jeffery (MJ); Kim Huseman (KH);

Wood Turner (WT); Jerry D’Amore (JD) - Chair Emeritus/observer; Nate Powell-Palm (NPP) - observer 

Absent: Brian Caldwell (BC), Vice Chair; Asa Bradman (AB); Logan Petrey (LP)

Staff: Michelle Arsenault (MA); Jared Clark (JC); Andrea Holm (AH)

Agenda

• November 2nd, 2021 notes

• Discuss Sunsets:

o 2024 Sunset: Acidified sodium chlorite (CD) - Discuss review

o 2024 Sunset: Carbon dioxide (CD) - Discuss review

o 2024 Sunset: Attapulgite (KH) - Discuss review

o 2024 Sunset: Diatomaceous earth (KH) - Discuss review

o 2024 Sunset: Sodium carbonate (AB) - Discuss review

• Additional Items

• Adjourn

Discussion 

• November 2nd, 2021 notes were accepted as written

• Discuss Sunsets:

o 2024 Sunset: Acidified sodium chlorite (CD) - The lead summarized questions from the last

sunset review, new questions for the current review, and discussed where to find public

comments from the last sunset review. The lead will include additional details on international

acceptance, will add information on nonsynthetic manufacturing processes, and will send the

document to the HS Chair.

o 2024 Sunset: Carbon dioxide (CD) - The lead summarized questions from the last sunset review,

new questions for the current review, and discussed where to find public comments from the

last sunset review. The lead will include additional details on international acceptance and

environmental issues and will send the document to the HS Chair.

o 2024 Sunset: Attapulgite (KH) - The lead summarized the uses and manufactured sources of

attapulgite, as well as international acceptance, environmental issues, and the previous NOSB

vote. The members discussed additional questions to stakeholders, to be included in the

document.

o 2024 Sunset: Diatomaceous earth (KH) - The lead summarized the uses and manufactured

source of diatomaceous earth, gave an overview of international acceptance and environmental

issues, and discussed the decision made during the last review to not request a new Technical

Report. The lead clarified that the last report done on diatomaceous earth was a Technical

Advisory Panel in 1995. The lead presented additional questions to stakeholders to be included

in the document. There was a discussion on the current annotation and its uses in organic

production and the wording of the additional questions to stakeholders.

o 2024 Sunset: Sodium carbonate (JD for AB). JD summarized the review of sodium carbonate in

the lead’s absence. Members discussed additional questions to stakeholders. The HS Chair will

follow up with the lead.
• Additional Items

o Several substances were reassigned due to subcommittee roster changes. See table below for 

updated assignments. Remaining substances needing reassignment will be determined by the 

Chair.

o Schedule remaining work agenda items. See table below.

• The meeting was adjourned

Previous HS Notes

Future call schedule (1st and 3rd Tuesdays 1:00 PM ET | 10:00 AM PT, except where noted.)

November 2, 2021

2024 Sunset: Casings (JD) - Discuss review

2024 Sunset: Pectin (JD) - Discuss review

November 16, 2021

2024 Sunset: Acidified sodium chlorite (CD) - Discuss review

2024 Sunset: Carbon dioxide (CD) - Discuss review

2024 Sunset: Attapulgite (KH) - Discuss review

2024 Sunset: Diatomaceous earth (KH) - Discuss review

2024 Sunset: Sodium carbonate (AB) - Discuss review

December 7, 2021

2024 Sunset: Bentonite (WT) - Discuss review

2024 Sunset: Magnesium chloride (KS) - Discuss review

2024 Sunset: Nitrogen (KS) - Discuss review

2024 Sunset: Potassium acid tartrate (SE/AB) - Discuss review

Schedule remaining work agenda items

December 21, 2021 - cancelled?

January 4, 2022

Petition: Phosphoric acid - amend annotation (KS/AB) - Discuss proposal and vote

Petition: PLA (MJ?) - Discuss proposal and vote pending TR receipt and sufficiency determination

Petition: CPC (WT) - Discuss proposal and vote

January 18, 2022

2024 Sunset: Sodium phosphates (WT) - Discuss review

Research Priorities

February 1, 2022

February 15, 2022 - Last call before proposal deadline

March 1, 2022

March 15, 2022

April 5, 2022

April 19, 2022

May 3, 2022

May 17, 2022

June 7, 2022

June 21, 2022

July 5, 2022

July 19, 2022

August 2, 2022

August 16, 2022

September 6, 2022
September 20, 2022

October 4, 2022

October 18, 2022

November 1, 2022

November 15, 2022

December 6, 2022

December 20, 2022

Work Agenda

Petitioned Substances

Substance National List Contact Doc Type Notes* 

Scheduled,

Discussed, 

Voted

Target

meeting 

Whey protein 

concentrate

(removal from 

205.606)

205.606 SE/AB Proposal Petition sent to HS 

12.23.19. Sufficiency due 

2.29.20. HS sent additional 

questions to petitioner 

02.04.20. Questions revised 

and resent 3.13.20. 

Response returned 3.23.20. 

Sufficiency due ASAP. HS 

found petition sufficient 

07.07.20. Hold pending 

completion of Fall 2020 

sunset recommendation.

TBD TBD

Cetylpyridinium 

chloride (CPC)

205.605 WT Proposal Petition sent to HS 

01.13.20. Sufficiency due 

03.13.20. HS sent 

additional questions to 

petitioner 03.17.20.

Petitioner’s responses sent 

to HS 5.4.20. Petition 

found sufficient 05.19.20. 

The HS requested TR 

06.02.20. Expected back in 

mid-January. TR sent to HS 

2.2.21. TR sufficiency due 

4.3.21. HS sent additional 

questions to TR contractor 

3.16.21. DRAFT TR sent to 

CS 6.28.21. TR sent to HS 

8.5.21. TR sufficiency due 

10.4.21. TR found sufficient 

9.21.21.

5.19.20

06.02.20

07.21.20

3.16.21

8.3.21

9.21.21

1.4.22

Spr 2022

Phosphoric acid 

- amend 

annotation

Addendum #1

Addendum #2

205.605(b) KS/AB Proposal 2003 TR

Petition sent to HS 

01.28.20. Sufficiency due 

03.28.20. HS sent 

additional questions to 

petitioner 03.17.20.

Response sent to HS 4.6.20. 

8.3.21

9.21.21

10.4.21

1.4.22

Spr 2022
Other Projects

*Highlight indicates committee action needed. *Highlight indicates review completion and/or vote

2024 Sunset Review

TR Requests (June 2021), Summary (Spr 2022), Review (Fall 2022)

HS sent additional 

questions to petitioner 

5.6.20. Response sent to HS 

8.10.20. Petition found 

sufficient 9.1.20 and HS 

requested a full TR 12.1.20. 

TR sent to HS 8.5.21. TR 

sufficiency due 10.4.21. TR 

found sufficient 10.4.21

Peroxylactic 

Acid (“PLA”) 

205.605(b) MJ? TBD Petition sent to HS 

04.07.21. Petition 

sufficiency due 6.6.21. 

Petition found sufficient 

6.1.21. HS requested a TR

8.3.21. TR due to NOP 

12.22.21.

5.18.21

6.1.21

8.3.21

1.4.22

Spr 2022

Project Contact Notes* 

Scheduled,

Discussed, 

Voted

Target

meeting 

L-Malic acid 

reclassification

TBD Work agenda request 5.13.19. Sent to NOP 7.3.19. 

Approved by NOP 8.6.19. On hold.

TBD TBD

Research 

Priorities

ALL RPs due to MS 1.25.22 1.18.22 Spr 2022

Ion Exchange KS NOP response memo sent to HS 8.10.21. 9.21.21

10.5.21

TBD

Spr 2022

Substance National List Contact TR

Request? Notes* 

Scheduled, 

Discussed, 

Voted

Target 

meeting 

Attapulgite 205.605(a) KH N Sunset date: 10.30.24

TR: 2010 TR.

2017/Fall – Rec to Renew

5.18.21

6.1.21

11.16.21

Summary: 

Spr 2022

Review: 

Fall 2022

Bentonite 205.605(a) WT N Sunset date: 10.30.24

TR: 1995 TAP.

2017/Fall – Rec to Renew

5.18.21

6.1.21

12.7.21

“ “

Diatomaceous 

earth

205.605(a) KH N Sunset date: 10.30.24

TR: 1995 TAP.

2017/Fall – Rec to Renew

5.18.21

6.1.21

11.16.21

“ “

Magnesium 

chloride

205.605(a) KS N Sunset date: 11.22.24

TR: 1995 TAP; 2016 TR. 

2017/Fall – Rec to Renew

5.18.21

6.1.21

12.7.21

“ “
Milestones 

Nitrogen 205.605(a) KS N Sunset date: 10.30.24

TR: 1995 TAP.

2017/Fall – Rec to Renew

5.18.21

6.1.21

12.7.21

“ “

Sodium 

carbonate 

205.605(a) AB N Sunset date: 10.30.24

TR: 1995 TAP.

2017/Fall – Rec to Renew

5.18.21

6.1.21

11.16.21

“ “

Acidified 

sodium chlorite

205.605(b) CD N Sunset date: 10.30.24

TR: 2008 TAP; 2013 TR 

(livestock).

2017/Fall – Rec to Renew

5.18.21

6.1.21

11.16.21

“ “

Carbon dioxide 205.605(b) CD N Sunset date: 10.30.24

TR: 1995 TAP; 2006 TAP.

2017/Fall – Rec to Renew

5.18.21

6.1.21

11.16.21

“ “

Sodium 

phosphates 

205.605(b) WT N Sunset date: 10.30.24

TR: 2001 TAP; 2016 TR 

(phosphates).

2017/Fall – Rec to Renew

5.18.21

6.1.21

1.18.22

“ “

Casings 205.606(b) MJ N Sunset date: 10.30.24

TR: N/A

2017/Fall – Rec to Renew

5.18.21

6.1.21

11.2.21

“ “

Pectin 205.606(p) MJ N Sunset date: 10.30.24

TR: 1995 TAP; 2009 TR; 2010 

TR (supplemental); 2015 

Limited Scope TR.

2017/Fall – Rec to REMOVE

5.18.21

6.1.21

11.2.21

“ “

Potassium acid 

tartrate 

205.606(q) SE/AB N Sunset date: 05.30.24

TR: 1995 TAP; 2017 TR.

2017/Fall – Rec to Renew

5.18.21

6.1.21

12.7.21

“ “

Spring 2022 Milestones Target dates (tentative)

NOP - Publish FRN, Open public comment ~Nov 12, 2021

NOSB - Spring 2022 proposals due to NOP Feb 16, 2022

New NOSB member training TBD

NOP - Draft Spring 2022 NOSB meeting tentative agenda Feb 2, 2022

NOP - Post proposals Mar 3, 2022

Public comment closes Apr 1, 2022

NOP - Send compiled public comments to NOSB Apr 4, 2022

Public comment webinars Apr 20 & 21, 2022

Spring 2022 NOSB meeting - Crystal City, VA Apr 26 - 28, 2022

Final recommendations due May 27, 2022
Note: Subcommittee notes may include preliminary discussions regarding substances considered for addition to or removal from the National 

List. They do not represent official National Organic Program (NOP) policy/regulations or NOSB recommendations. Proposals must be voted on 

by the full Board, to become recommendations to the USDA. Please see the NOP website for official NOP policy, regulations, and status of 

substances used in organic production and handling.

Handling Subcommittee (HS) Notes 

Tuesday, November 2, 2021 1:00 pm ET

Present: Jerry D’Amore (JD), Chair; Steve Ela (SE); Carolyn Dimitri (CD); Wood Turner (WT); Kyla Smith 

(KS); Kim Huseman (KH); Nate Powell-Palm (NPP) - observer

Absent: Asa Bradman (AB), Vice Chair

Staff: Michelle Arsenault (MA); Jared Clark (JC); Andrea Holm (AH)

Agenda

• October 5, 2021 notes

• 2024 Sunset: Casings (JD) - Discuss review

• 2024 Sunset: Pectin (JD) - Discuss review

• Schedule remaining work agenda items

• Additional items 

• Adjourn

Discussion

• October 5, 2021 notes accepted as written.

• 2024 Sunset: Casings (JD). The lead summarized the uses of casings, as well as the comments 

from the last sunset review, and new questions for the current review. The members discussed 

the need for a TR, commercial availability, and the current state of the industry. 

• 2024 Sunset: Pectin (JD). The lead summarized the uses of pectin, it’s manufacture, comments 

from the last sunset review, and new questions for the current review. At the last review it was 

noted that it is in wide use, adequate organic supply is not available, and the form is important 

for use. A member noted that it is typically used in jams at less than 5%. 

• Schedule remaining work agenda items. See table below.

• Additional items. 

o The members reviewed the outstanding work agenda items: Whey protein 

concentrate, and L-Malic acid. L Malic acid is on hold pending Board determination on 

how far back in the manufacturing process excluded methods should be considered.

o Coversheets. Group discussed the submission process for the final recommendations 

from the Fall 2021 meeting.

• The meeting was adjourned

Previous HS Notes

Future call schedule (1st and 3rd Tuesdays 1:00 ET. except where noted)

October 5, 2021

Discuss public comments/Process for presenting

Phosphoric acid - amend annotation (KS/AB) - TR sufficiency

Assign discussion dates for work agenda items/2024 sunset reviews

Ion exchange

October 19, 2021 - cancelled (Conflicts with NOSB meeting)

November 2, 2021

2024 Sunset: Casings (JD) - Discuss review

2024 Sunset: Pectin (JD) - Discuss review

November 16, 2021

2024 Sunset: Acidified sodium chlorite (CD) - Discuss review
2024 Sunset: Carbon dioxide (CD) - Discuss review

2024 Sunset: Attapulgite (KH) - Discuss review

2024 Sunset: Diatomaceous earth (KH) - Discuss review

December 7, 2021

2024 Sunset: Bentonite (WT) - Discuss review

2024 Sunset: Magnesium chloride (KS) - Discuss review

2024 Sunset: Nitrogen (KS) - Discuss review

2024 Sunset: Potassium acid tartrate (SE/AB) - Discuss review

December 21, 2021

January 4, 2022

Petition: Phosphoric acid - amend annotation (KS/AB) - Discuss proposal and vote

Petition: PLA (JD) - Discuss proposal and vote pending receipt of TR

Petition: CPC (AB) - Discuss proposal and vote

January 18, 2022

2024 Sunset: Sodium phosphates (WT) - Discuss review

February 1, 2022

February 15, 2022 - Last call before proposal deadline

March 1, 2022

March 15, 2022

Work Agenda

Petitioned Substances: 

Substance National

List Contact DocType Notes*

Scheduled,

Discussed, 

Voted

Target

meeting

Whey protein 

concentrate

(removal from 

205.606)

205.606 SE/AB Proposal Petition sent to HS 12.23.19. 

Sufficiency due 2.29.20. HS sent 

additional questions to petitioner 

02.04.20. Questions revised and 

resent 3.13.20. Response 

returned 3.23.20. Sufficiency due 

ASAP. HS found petition 

sufficient 07.07.20. Hold pending 

completion of Fall 2020 sunset 

recommendation.

TBD TBD

Cetylpyridinium 

chloride (CPC)

205.605 AB Proposal Petition sent to HS 01.13.20. 

Sufficiency due 03.13.20. HS sent 

additional questions to petitioner 

03.17.20. Petitioner’s responses 

sent to HS 5.4.20. Petition found 

sufficient 05.19.20. The HS 

requested TR 06.02.20. Expected 

back in mid-January. TR sent to 

HS 2.2.21. TR sufficiency due

4.3.21. HS sent additional 

questions to TR contractor 

3.16.21. DRAFT TR sent to CS 

6.28.21. TR sent to HS 8.5.21. TR 

sufficiency due 10.4.21. TR found 

sufficient 9.21.21.

5.19.20

06.02.20

07.21.20

3.16.21

8.3.21

9.21.21

1.4.22

Spr 2022
Other Projects

*Highlight indicates committee action needed. *Highlight indicates review completion and/or vote

2024 Sunset Review: TR Requests (June 2021), Summary (Spr 2022), Review (Fall 2022)

Phosphoric acid -

amend annotation

Addendum #1

Addendum #2

205.605(b) KS/AB Proposal 2003 TR

Petition sent to HS 01.28.20. 

Sufficiency due 03.28.20. HS sent 

additional questions to petitioner 

03.17.20. Response sent to HS 

4.6.20. HS sent additional 

questions to petitioner 5.6.20.

Response sent to HS 8.10.20.

Petition found sufficient 9.1.20 

and HS requested a full TR

12.1.20. TR sent to HS 8.5.21. TR 

sufficiency due 10.4.21. TR found 

sufficient 10.4.21

8.3.21

9.21.21

10.4.21

1.4.22

Spr 2022

Peroxylactic Acid 

(“PLA”) 

205.605(b) JD TBD Petition sent to HS 04.07.21. 

Petition sufficiency due 6.6.21. 

Petition found sufficient 6.1.21. 

HS requested a TR 8.3.21. 

5.18.21

6.1.21

8.3.21

1.4.22

Spr 2022

Substance Contact Notes*

Scheduled,

Discussed, 

Voted

Target

meeting

L-Malic acid 

reclassification 

TBD Work agenda request 5.13.19. Sent to NOP 7.3.19. 

Approved by NOP 8.6.19. On hold.

TBD TBD

Research Priorities ALL RPs due to MS 1.25.22 TBD Spr 2022

Ion Exchange KS NOP response memo sent to HS 8.10.21. 9.21.21

10.5.21

TBD

Spr 2022

 Substance National List Contact TR

Request? Notes*

Scheduled, 

Discussed, 

Voted

Target 

meeting

Attapulgite 205.605(a) KH N Sunset date: 10.30.24

TR: 2010 TR.

2017/Fall – Rec to Renew

5.18.21

6.1.21

11.16.21

Summary: 

Spr 2022

Review: 

Fall 2022

Bentonite 205.605(a) WT N Sunset date: 10.30.24

TR: 1995 TAP.

2017/Fall – Rec to Renew

5.18.21

6.1.21

12.7.21

“ “

Diatomaceous earth 205.605(a) KH N Sunset date: 10.30.24

TR: 1995 TAP.

2017/Fall – Rec to Renew

5.18.21

6.1.21

11.16.21

“ “
 

Magnesium chloride 205.605(a) KS N Sunset date: 11.22.24

TR: 1995 TAP; 2016 TR.

2017/Fall – Rec to Renew

5.18.21

6.1.21

12.7.21

“ “

Nitrogen 205.605(a) KS N Sunset date: 10.30.24

TR: 1995 TAP.

2017/Fall – Rec to Renew

5.18.21

6.1.21

12.7.21

“ “

Sodium carbonate 205.605(a) AB N Sunset date: 10.30.24

TR: 1995 TAP.

2017/Fall – Rec to Renew

5.18.21

6.1.21

TBD

“ “

Acidified sodium 

chlorite

205.605(b) CD N Sunset date: 10.30.24

TR: 2008 TAP; 2013 TR 

(livestock).

2017/Fall – Rec to Renew

5.18.21

6.1.21

11.16.21

“ “

Carbon dioxide 205.605(b) CD N Sunset date: 10.30.24

TR: 1995 TAP; 2006 TAP.

2017/Fall – Rec to Renew

5.18.21

6.1.21

11.16.21

“ “

Sodium phosphates 205.605(b) WT N Sunset date: 10.30.24

TR: 2001 TAP; 2016 TR 

(phosphates).

2017/Fall – Rec to Renew

5.18.21

6.1.21

1.18.22

“ “

Casings 205.606(b) JD N Sunset date: 10.30.24

TR: N/A

2017/Fall – Rec to Renew

5.18.21

6.1.21

11.2.21

“ “

Pectin 205.606(p) JD N Sunset date: 10.30.24

TR: 1995 TAP; 2009 TR; 

2010 TR (supplemental); 

2015 Limited Scope TR.

2017/Fall – Rec to REMOVE

5.18.21

6.1.21

11.2.21

“ “

Potassium acid 

tartrate

205.606(q) SE/AB N Sunset date: 05.30.24

TR: 1995 TAP; 2017 TR.

2017/Fall – Rec to Renew

5.18.21

6.1.21

12.7.21

“ “
 Milestones 

Spring 2022 Milestones Target dates (tentative)

NOP - Publish FRN, Open public comment ~Nov 12, 2021

NOSB - Spring 2022 proposals due to NOP Feb 16, 2022

New NOSB member training TBD

NOP - Draft Spring 2022 NOSB meeting tentative agenda Feb 2, 2022

NOP - Post proposals Mar 3, 2022

Public comment closes Apr 1, 2022

NOP - Send compiled public comments to NOSB Apr 4, 2022

Public comment webinars Apr 20 & 21, 2022

Spring 2022 NOSB meeting - Crystal City, VA Apr 26 - 28, 2022

Final recommendations due May 27, 2022
Note: Subcommittee notes may include preliminary discussions regarding substances considered for addition to or removal from the National 

List. They do not represent official National Organic Program (NOP) policy/regulations or NOSB recommendations. Proposals must be voted on 

by the full Board, to become recommendations to the USDA. Please see the NOP website for official NOP policy, regulations, and status of 

substances used in organic production and handling.

Handling Subcommittee (HS) Notes 

Tuesday, October 5, 2021 1:00 pm ET

Present: Jerry D’Amore (JD), Chair; Steve Ela (SE); Carolyn Dimitri (CD); Wood Turner (WT); Kyla Smith 

(KS)

Absent: Asa Bradman (AB), Vice Chair; Kim Huseman (KH)

Staff: Michelle Arsenault (MA); Jared Clark (JC)

Agenda

• September 21, 2021 notes

• Discuss public comments/Process for presenting

• Phosphoric acid - amend annotation (KS/AB) - TR sufficiency

• Assign discussion dates for work agenda items/2024 sunset reviews

• Ion exchange

• Additional items 

• Adjourn

Discussion

• September 21, 2021 notes were accepted as written.

• Phosphoric acid - TR sufficiency (KS/AB). Both co-leads reviewed the TR, and it was deemed 

sufficient. The HS Chair will relay that information to the NOP.

• Ion exchange. The HS will provide a verbal update about ion exchange at the Fall 2021 meeting. 

• Assign discussion dates for work agenda items/2024 sunset reviews. See table below. The HS 

will schedule the remainder of the discussion dates on the next call.

• Public comments/Process for presenting. The group briefly discussed best practices for 

analyzing and summarizing public comments at the NOSB meeting.

• Additional items. None.

• The meeting was adjourned

Previous HS Notes

Future call schedule (1st and 3rd Tuesdays 1:00 ET. except where noted)

September 21, 2021

Cetylpyridinium chloride (CPC) (AB/KH) - TR sufficiency

Phosphoric acid - amend annotation (KS/AB) - TR sufficiency

October 5, 2021

Discuss public comments/Process for presenting

Phosphoric acid - amend annotation (KS/AB) - TR sufficiency

Assign discussion dates for work agenda items/2024 sunset reviews

Ion exchange

October 19, 2021 - cancelled (Conflicts with NOSB meeting)

November 2, 2021

2024 Sunset: Casings (JD) - Discuss review

2024 Sunset: Pectin (JD) - Discuss review

November 16, 2021

2024 Sunset: Acidified sodium chlorite (CD) - Discuss review

2024 Sunset: Carbon dioxide (CD) - Discuss review

December 7, 2021
2024 Sunset: Bentonite (WT) - Discuss review

2024 Sunset: Magnesium chloride (KS) - Discuss review

2024 Sunset: Nitrogen (KS) - Discuss review

2024 Sunset: Potassium acid tartrate (SE/AB) - Discuss review

December 21, 2021

January 4, 2022

January 18, 2022

2024 Sunset: Sodium phosphates - Discuss review

February 1, 2022

February 15, 2022 - Last call before proposal deadline

March 1, 2022

March 15, 2022

Work Agenda

Petitioned Substances: 

Substance National

List Contact DocType Notes*

Scheduled,

Discussed, 

Voted

Target

meeting

Whey protein 

concentrate

(removal from 

205.606)

205.606 SE/AB Proposal Petition sent to HS 12.23.19. 

Sufficiency due 2.29.20. HS sent 

additional questions to petitioner 

02.04.20. Questions revised and 

resent 3.13.20. Response returned 

3.23.20. Sufficiency due ASAP. HS 

found petition sufficient 07.07.20. 

Hold pending completion of Fall 

2020 sunset recommendation. 

TBD TBD

Cetylpyridinium 

chloride (CPC)

205.605 AB Proposal Petition sent to HS 01.13.20. 

Sufficiency due 03.13.20. HS sent 

additional questions to petitioner 

03.17.20. Petitioner’s responses 

sent to HS 5.4.20. Petition found 

sufficient 05.19.20. The HS 

requested TR 06.02.20. Expected 

back in mid-January. TR sent to HS 

2.2.21. TR sufficiency due 4.3.21. 

HS sent additional questions to TR 

contractor 3.16.21. DRAFT TR sent 

to CS 6.28.21. TR sent to HS 8.5.21. 

TR sufficiency due 10.4.21. TR

found sufficient 9.21.21.

5.19.20

06.02.20

07.21.20

3.16.21

8.3.21

9.21.21

Spr 2022

Phosphoric acid -

amend annotation

Addendum #1

Addendum #2

205.605(b) KS/AB Proposal 2003 TR

Petition sent to HS 01.28.20. 

Sufficiency due 03.28.20. HS sent 

additional questions to petitioner 

03.17.20. Response sent to HS 

4.6.20. HS sent additional 

questions to petitioner 5.6.20.

Response sent to HS 8.10.20.

Petition found sufficient 9.1.20 

8.3.21

9.21.21

10.4.21

Spr 2022
Other Projects

*Highlight indicates committee action needed. *Highlight indicates review completion and/or vote

2023 Sunset Review: TR Requests (July 2020), Summary (Spr 2021), Review (Fall 2021)

and HS requested a full TR 12.1.20.

TR sent to HS 8.5.21. TR sufficiency 

due 10.4.21. TR found sufficient 

10.4.21

Zein 205.606 JD Proposal Petition sent to HS 03.20.20. 

Sufficiency due 05.19.20. HS sent 

additional questions to the 

petitioner 06.02.20. Response sent 

to HS 06.16.20. HS found petition 

sufficient 07.07.20 and requested 

a TR. TR sent to HS 01.21.21. TR 

Sufficiency due 03.22.21. TR found 

sufficient 2.2.21. 

6.15.21

7.6.21

7.20.21

8.3.21

Fall 2021

Peroxylactic Acid 

(“PLA”) 

205.605(b) JD TBD Petition sent to HS 04.07.21. 

Petition sufficiency due 6.6.21. 

Petition found sufficient 6.1.21. HS 

requested a TR 8.3.21. 

5.18.21

6.1.21

8.3.21

TBD

Substance Contact Notes*

Scheduled,

Discussed, 

Voted

Target

meeting

Fish oil annotation

proposal

AB Work agenda request 5.13.19. Sent to NOP 7.3.19. 

Approved by NOP 8.6.19. 

7.20.21

8.3.21

Fall 2021

L-Malic acid 

reclassification 

TBD Work agenda request 5.13.19. Sent to NOP 7.3.19. 

Approved by NOP 8.6.19. On hold.

TBD TBD

Research Priorities ALL RPs due to MS 7.20.21. 7.6.21 Fall 2021

Ion Exchange ALL NOP response memo sent to HS 8.10.21 9.21.21

10.5.21

TBD

Substance National

List Contact TRRequest? Notes*

Scheduled,

Discussed, 

Voted

Target

meeting

Agar-agar 205.605(a) KH N Sunset date: 5.29.23

TR: 2011.

2016/Fall - Rec to Renew

7.20.21 Summary: 

Spr 2021 

Review: 

Fall 2021

Animal enzymes 205.605(a) KH N Sunset date: 5.29.23

TR: 2011 (enzymes); 2015 

(enzymes).

2016/Fall - Rec to Renew

7.20.21 “
2024 Sunset Review: TR Requests (June 2021), Summary (Spr 2022), Review (Fall 2022)

Calcium sulfate -

mined

205.605(a) WT N Sunset date: 5.29.23

TR: 2001.

2016/Fall - Rec to Renew

6.1.21 “

Carrageenan 205.605(a) JD/AB N Sunset date: 5.29.23

TR: 2011; 2016.

2016/Fall - Rec to Renew

6.15.21 “

Glucono deltalactone205.605(a) WT N Sunset date: 5.29.23

TR: 2016.

2016/Fall - Rec to Renew

7.6.21 “

Tartaric acid 205.605(a) SE N Sunset date: 5.29.23

TR: 2011.

2016/Fall - Rec to Renew

7.6.21 “

Cellulose 205.605(b) CD N Sunset date: 11.3.23

TR: 2016.

2016/Fall - Rec to Renew

6.1.21 “

Chlorine materials

(i) Calcium 

hypochlorite.

(ii) Chlorine dioxide.

(iii) Hypochlorous 

acid—generated 

from electrolyzed 

water.

(iv) Sodium 

hypochlorite

205.605(b) AB N Sunset date: 1.28.24

TR: 2015 (Hypochlorous acid).

2016/Spr - Rec to ADD

6.15.21 “

Potassium hydroxide 205.605(b) SE N Sunset date: 5.29.23

TR: 2016.

2016/Fall - Rec to Renew

7.6.21 “

Silicon dioxide 205.605(b) KS N Sunset date: 5.29.23

TR: 2010.

2016/Fall - Rec to Renew

6.15.21 “

Potassium lactate 205.605(b) JD N Sunset date: 1.28.24

TR: 2015 (Lactic acid, sodium 

lactate, and potassium lactate).

2016/Spring - Rec to ADD

7.6.21

7.20.21

“

Sodium lactate 205.605(b) JD N Sunset date: 1.28.24

TR: 2015 (Lactic acid, sodium 

lactate, and potassium lactate).

2016/Spring - Rec to ADD

7.6.21

7.20.21

“

 Substance National List Contact TR

Request? Notes*

Scheduled, 

Discussed, 

Voted

Target 

meeting
Attapulgite 205.605(a) KH N Sunset date: 10.30.24

TR: 2010 TR.

2017/Fall – Rec to Renew

5.18.21

6.1.21

Summary: 

Spr 2022

Review: 

Fall 2022

Bentonite 205.605(a) WT N Sunset date: 10.30.24

TR: 1995 TAP.

2017/Fall – Rec to Renew

5.18.21

6.1.21

12.7.21

“ “

Diatomaceous earth 205.605(a) KH N Sunset date: 10.30.24

TR: 1995 TAP.

2017/Fall – Rec to Renew

5.18.21

6.1.21

“ “

Magnesium chloride 205.605(a) KS N Sunset date: 11.22.24

TR: 1995 TAP; 2016 TR.

2017/Fall – Rec to Renew

5.18.21

6.1.21

12.7.21

“ “

Nitrogen 205.605(a) KS N Sunset date: 10.30.24

TR: 1995 TAP.

2017/Fall – Rec to Renew

5.18.21

6.1.21

12.7.21

“ “

Sodium carbonate 205.605(a) AB N Sunset date: 10.30.24

TR: 1995 TAP.

2017/Fall – Rec to Renew

5.18.21

6.1.21

“ “

Acidified sodium 

chlorite

205.605(b) CD N Sunset date: 10.30.24

TR: 2008 TAP; 2013 TR 

(livestock).

2017/Fall – Rec to Renew

5.18.21

6.1.21

11.16.21

“ “

Carbon dioxide 205.605(b) CD N Sunset date: 10.30.24

TR: 1995 TAP; 2006 TAP.

2017/Fall – Rec to Renew

5.18.21

6.1.21

11.16.21

“ “

Sodium phosphates 205.605(b) WT N Sunset date: 10.30.24

TR: 2001 TAP; 2016 TR 

(phosphates).

2017/Fall – Rec to Renew

5.18.21

6.1.21

1.18.22

“ “

Casings 205.606(b) JD N Sunset date: 10.30.24

TR: N/A

2017/Fall – Rec to Renew

5.18.21

6.1.21

11.2.21

“ “

Pectin 205.606(p) JD N Sunset date: 10.30.24

TR: 1995 TAP; 2009 TR; 

2010 TR (supplemental); 

2015 Limited Scope TR.

2017/Fall – Rec to REMOVE

5.18.21

6.1.21

11.2.21

“ “

Potassium acid 

tartrate

205.606(q) SE/AB N Sunset date: 05.30.24

TR: 1995 TAP; 2017 TR.

2017/Fall – Rec to Renew

5.18.21

6.1.21

12.7.21

“ “
 Milestones 

Fall 2021 Milestones Target dates (tentative)

NOP - Publish FRN, Open public comment Jun 3, 2021

NOSB Request for TRs for 2024 sunset materials Jun 18, 2021

NOP - Draft Fall 2020 NOSB meeting tentative agenda Jul 30, 2021

NOSB - Fall 2021 proposals due to NOP Aug 13, 2021

NOP - Post proposals On or before Sep 1, 2021

Discuss/finalize work agendas on ES call Sep 21, 2021

Public comment closes Sep 30, 2021

NOP - Send compiled public comments to NOSB ~Oct 4, 2021

Public comment webinars Oct 12 & 14, 2021

Fall 2021 NOSB meeting - Sacramento, CA Oct 19 - 21, 2021

Spring 2022 Milestones Target dates (tentative)

NOP - Publish FRN, Open public comment ~Nov 12, 2021

NOSB - Spring 2022 proposals due to NOP Feb 16, 2022

New NOSB member training TBD

NOP - Draft Spring 2022 NOSB meeting tentative agenda Feb 2, 2022

NOP - Post proposals Mar 3, 2022

Public comment closes Apr 1, 2022

NOP - Send compiled public comments to NOSB Apr 4, 2022

Public comment webinars Apr 20 & 21, 2022

Spring 2022 NOSB meeting - Crystal City, VA Apr 26 - 28, 2022

Final recommendations due May 27, 2022
Note: Subcommittee notes may include preliminary discussions regarding substances considered for addition to or removal from the National 

List. They do not represent official National Organic Program (NOP) policy/regulations or NOSB recommendations. Proposals must be voted on 

by the full Board, to become recommendations to the USDA. Please see the NOP website for official NOP policy, regulations, and status of 

substances used in organic production and handling.

Handling Subcommittee (HS) Notes 

Tuesday, September 21, 2021 1:00 pm ET

Present: Jerry D’Amore (JD), Chair; Carolyn Dimitri (CD); Wood Turner (WT); Kyla Smith (KS); Kim 

Huseman (KH)

Absent: Asa Bradman (AB), Vice Chair; Steve Ela (SE)

Staff: Michelle Arsenault (MA); Jared Clark (JC)

Agenda

• August 3, 2021 notes were approved via email on August 17, 2021

• Cetylpyridinium chloride (CPC) (AB) - TR sufficiency

• Phosphoric acid - amend annotation (KS/AB) - TR sufficiency

• Ion Exchange - memo from NOP

• Additional items 

• Adjourn

Discussion

• August 3, 2021 notes were approved via email on August 17, 2021

• Cetylpyridinium chloride (CPC) (AB). The Handling Subcommittee found the TR sufficient, and 

agreed to the correction the lead made to the wording on page 1: Changing "condensation" to 

"reaction". 

• Phosphoric acid - amend annotation (KS/AB). TR sufficiency will be finalized on the October 4, 

call.

• Ion Exchange - memo from NOP. Deferred to October 4 call. A member noted that the NOSB is 

interested in determining how to move forward so they could give a verbal update at the Fall 

NOSB meeting. 

• Additional items. None.

• The meeting was adjourned

Previous HS Notes

Future call schedule (1st and 3rd Tuesdays 1:00 ET. except where noted)

August 3, 2021

Zein (JD) - Discuss proposal/vote

Phosphoric acid - amend annotation (KS/AB) - Discuss proposal/vote (TR pending)

Cetylpyridinium chloride (CPC) (AB) - Discuss proposal/vote

Fish oil annotation (AB) - Discuss proposal/vote

 August 17, 2021 - Cancelled

September 7, 2021 - Cancelled

September 21, 2021

Cetylpyridinium chloride (CPC) (AB/KH) - TR sufficiency

Phosphoric acid - amend annotation (KS/AB) - TR sufficiency

October 5, 2021

Discuss public comments/Process for presenting

Phosphoric acid - amend annotation (KS/AB) - TR sufficiency

Assign discussion dates for work agenda items/2024 sunset reviews

October 19, 2021 - Cancelled (Conflicts with NOSB meeting)

November 2, 2021
November 16, 2021

December 7, 2021

December 21, 2021

January 4, 2022

January 18, 2022

February 1, 2022

February 15, 2022 - Last call before proposal deadline

March 1, 2022

March 15, 2022

Work Agenda

Petitioned Substances: 

Substance National

List Contact DocType Notes*

Scheduled,

Discussed, 

Voted

Target

meeting

Whey protein 

concentrate

(removal from 

205.606)

205.606 SE/AB Proposal Petition sent to HS 12.23.19. 

Sufficiency due 2.29.20. HS sent 

additional questions to petitioner 

02.04.20. Questions revised and 

resent 3.13.20. Response returned 

3.23.20. Sufficiency due ASAP. HS 

found petition sufficient 07.07.20. 

Hold pending completion of Fall 

2020 sunset recommendation. 

TBD TBD

Cetylpyridinium 

chloride (CPC)

205.605 AB Proposal Petition sent to HS 01.13.20. 

Sufficiency due 03.13.20. HS sent 

additional questions to petitioner 

03.17.20. Petitioner’s responses 

sent to HS 5.4.20. Petition found 

sufficient 05.19.20. The HS 

requested TR 06.02.20. Expected 

back in mid-January. TR sent to HS 

2.2.21. TR sufficiency due 4.3.21. 

HS sent additional questions to TR 

contractor 3.16.21. DRAFT TR sent 

to CS 6.28.21. TR sent to HS 8.5.21. 

TR sufficiency due 10.4.21. TR

found sufficient 9.21.21.

5.19.20

06.02.20

07.21.20

3.16.21

8.3.21

9.21.21

Spr 2022

Phosphoric acid -

amend annotation

Addendum #1

Addendum #2

205.605(b) KS/AB Proposal 2003 TR

Petition sent to HS 01.28.20. 

Sufficiency due 03.28.20. HS sent 

additional questions to petitioner

03.17.20. Response sent to HS 

4.6.20. HS sent additional 

questions to petitioner 5.6.20.

Response sent to HS 8.10.20.

Petition found sufficient 9.1.20 

and HS requested a full TR 12.1.20.

8.3.21

9.21.21

10.4.21

Spr 2022
Other Projects

*Highlight indicates committee action needed. *Highlight indicates review completion and/or vote

2023 Sunset Review: TR Requests (July 2020), Summary (Spr 2021), Review (Fall 2021)

TR sent to HS 8.5.21. TR sufficiency 

due 10.4.21

Zein 205.606 JD Proposal Petition sent to HS 03.20.20. 

Sufficiency due 05.19.20. HS sent 

additional questions to the 

petitioner 06.02.20. Response sent 

to HS 06.16.20. HS found petition 

sufficient 07.07.20 and requested 

a TR. TR sent to HS 01.21.21. TR 

Sufficiency due 03.22.21. TR found 

sufficient 2.2.21. 

6.15.21

7.6.21

7.20.21

8.3.21

Fall 2021

Peroxylactic Acid 

(“PLA”) 

205.605(b) JD TBD Petition sent to HS 04.07.21. 

Petition sufficiency due 6.6.21. 

Petition found sufficient 6.1.21. HS 

requested a TR 8.3.21. 

5.18.21

6.1.21

8.3.21

TBD

Substance Contact Notes*

Scheduled,

Discussed, 

Voted

Target

meeting

Fish oil annotation

proposal

AB Work agenda request 5.13.19. Sent to NOP 7.3.19. 

Approved by NOP 8.6.19. 

7.20.21

8.3.21

Fall 2021

L-Malic acid 

reclassification 

TBD Work agenda request 5.13.19. Sent to NOP 7.3.19. 

Approved by NOP 8.6.19. On hold.

TBD TBD

Research Priorities ALL RPs due to MS 7.20.21. 7.6.21 Fall 2021

Ion Exchange ALL NOP response memo sent to HS 8.10.21 9.21.21

10.5.21

TBD

Substance National

List Contact TRRequest? Notes*

Scheduled,

Discussed, 

Voted

Target

meeting

Agar-agar 205.605(a) KH N Sunset date: 5.29.23

TR: 2011.

2016/Fall - Rec to Renew

7.20.21 Summary: 

Spr 2021 

Review: 

Fall 2021

Animal enzymes 205.605(a) KH N Sunset date: 5.29.23

TR: 2011 (enzymes); 2015 

(enzymes).

2016/Fall - Rec to Renew

7.20.21 “

Calcium sulfate -

mined

205.605(a) WT N Sunset date: 5.29.23

TR: 2001.

2016/Fall - Rec to Renew

6.1.21 “
2024 Sunset Review: TR Requests (June 2021), Summary (Spr 2022), Review (Fall 2022)

Carrageenan 205.605(a) JD/AB N Sunset date: 5.29.23

TR: 2011; 2016.

2016/Fall - Rec to Renew

6.15.21 “

Glucono deltalactone205.605(a) WT N Sunset date: 5.29.23

TR: 2016.

2016/Fall - Rec to Renew

7.6.21 “

Tartaric acid 205.605(a) SE N Sunset date: 5.29.23

TR: 2011.

2016/Fall - Rec to Renew

7.6.21 “

Cellulose 205.605(b) CD N Sunset date: 11.3.23

TR: 2016.

2016/Fall - Rec to Renew

6.1.21 “

Chlorine materials

(i) Calcium 

hypochlorite.

(ii) Chlorine dioxide.

(iii) Hypochlorous 

acid—generated 

from electrolyzed 

water.

(iv) Sodium 

hypochlorite

205.605(b) AB N Sunset date: 1.28.24

TR: 2015 (Hypochlorous acid).

2016/Spr - Rec to ADD

6.15.21 “

Potassium hydroxide 205.605(b) SE N Sunset date: 5.29.23

TR: 2016.

2016/Fall - Rec to Renew

7.6.21 “

Silicon dioxide 205.605(b) KS N Sunset date: 5.29.23

TR: 2010.

2016/Fall - Rec to Renew

6.15.21 “

Potassium lactate 205.605(b) JD N Sunset date: 1.28.24

TR: 2015 (Lactic acid, sodium 

lactate, and potassium lactate).

2016/Spring - Rec to ADD

7.6.21

7.20.21

“

Sodium lactate 205.605(b) JD N Sunset date: 1.28.24

TR: 2015 (Lactic acid, sodium 

lactate, and potassium lactate).

2016/Spring - Rec to ADD

7.6.21

7.20.21

“

 Substance National List Contact TR

Request? Notes*

Scheduled, 

Discussed, 

Voted

Target 

meeting

Attapulgite 205.605(a) KH N Sunset date: 10.30.24

TR: 2010 TR.

2017/Fall – Rec to Renew

5.18.21

6.1.21

Summary: 

Spr 2022

Review: 

Fall 2022
 Milestones 

Bentonite 205.605(a) WT N Sunset date: 10.30.24

TR: 1995 TAP.

2017/Fall – Rec to Renew

5.18.21

6.1.21

“ “

Diatomaceous earth 205.605(a) KH N Sunset date: 10.30.24

TR: 1995 TAP.

2017/Fall – Rec to Renew

5.18.21

6.1.21

“ “

Magnesium chloride 205.605(a) KS N Sunset date: 11.22.24

TR: 1995 TAP; 2016 TR.

2017/Fall – Rec to Renew

5.18.21

6.1.21

“ “

Nitrogen 205.605(a) KS N Sunset date: 10.30.24

TR: 1995 TAP.

2017/Fall – Rec to Renew

5.18.21

6.1.21

“ “

Sodium carbonate 205.605(a) AB N Sunset date: 10.30.24

TR: 1995 TAP.

2017/Fall – Rec to Renew

5.18.21

6.1.21

“ “

Acidified sodium 

chlorite

205.605(b) CD N Sunset date: 10.30.24

TR: 2008 TAP; 2013 TR 

(livestock).

2017/Fall – Rec to Renew

5.18.21

6.1.21

“ “

Carbon dioxide 205.605(b) CD N Sunset date: 10.30.24

TR: 1995 TAP; 2006 TAP.

2017/Fall – Rec to Renew

5.18.21

6.1.21

“ “

Sodium phosphates 205.605(b) WT N Sunset date: 10.30.24

TR: 2001 TAP; 2016 TR 

(phosphates).

2017/Fall – Rec to Renew

5.18.21

6.1.21

“ “

Casings 205.606(b) JD N Sunset date: 10.30.24

TR: N/A

2017/Fall – Rec to Renew

5.18.21

6.1.21

“ “

Pectin 205.606(p) JD N Sunset date: 10.30.24

TR: 1995 TAP; 2009 TR; 

2010 TR (supplemental); 

2015 Limited Scope TR.

2017/Fall – Rec to REMOVE

5.18.21

6.1.21

“ “

Potassium acid 

tartrate

205.606(q) AB N Sunset date: 05.30.24

TR: 1995 TAP; 2017 TR.

2017/Fall – Rec to Renew

5.18.21

6.1.21

“ “

Fall 2021 Milestones Target dates (tentative)

NOP - Publish FRN, Open public comment Jun 3, 2021
NOSB Request for TRs for 2024 sunset materials Jun 18, 2021

NOP - Draft Fall 2020 NOSB meeting tentative agenda Jul 30, 2021

NOSB - Fall 2021 proposals due to NOP Aug 13, 2021

NOP - Post proposals On or before Sep 1, 2021

Discuss/finalize work agendas on ES call Sep 21, 2021

Public comment closes Sep 30, 2021

NOP - Send compiled public comments to NOSB ~Oct 4, 2021

Public comment webinars Oct 12 & 14, 2021

Fall 2021 NOSB meeting - Sacramento, CA Oct 19 - 21, 2021
Note: Subcommittee notes may include preliminary discussions regarding substances considered for addition to or removal from the National 

List. They do not represent official National Organic Program (NOP) policy/regulations or NOSB recommendations. Proposals must be voted on 

by the full Board, to become recommendations to the USDA. Please see the NOP website for official NOP policy, regulations, and status of 

substances used in organic production and handling.

Handling Subcommittee (HS) Notes 

Tuesday, August 3, 2021 1:00 pm ET

Present: Jerry D’Amore (JD), Chair; Asa Bradman (AB), Vice Chair; Carolyn Dimitri (CD); Wood Turner 

(WT); Steve Ela (SE); Kyla Smith (KS) 

Absent: Kim Huseman (KH)

Staff: Michelle Arsenault (MA); Jared Clark (JC)

Agenda

• Review July 20, 2021 notes

• Zein (JD) - Discuss proposal/vote

• Phosphoric acid - amend annotation (KS/AB) - Discuss proposal/vote (TR pending)

• Cetylpyridinium chloride (CPC) (AB/KH) - Discuss proposal/vote

• Fish oil annotation (AB) - Discuss proposal/vote

• Additional items. PLA time allowing

• Adjourn

Discussion

• July 20, 2021 notes were accepted as written.

• Zein (JD). The lead summarized the draft proposal, and the group discussed the uses and

possible paths forward, including the inclusion of an annotation. After discussing the annotation,

the HS moved to a vote. Note: one member cast their vote via email after the call, which is

reflected below.

Classification Motion:

Motion to classify zein as nonsynthetic

Motion by: Jerry D’Amore

Seconded by: Steve Ela

Yes: 7 No: 0 Abstain: 0 Absent: 0 Recuse: 0

National List Motion:

Motion to add zein at §205.605(a), annotated as: “Only for use in nutraceuticals or pharmaceuticals as a

micro encapsulation acting as a moisture barrier and taste masker.”

Motion by: Jerry D’Amore

Seconded by: Steve Ela

Yes: 4 No: 3 Abstain: 0 Absent: 0 Recuse: 0

• Phosphoric acid - amend annotation (KS/AB). Deferred to Spring 2022 meeting. Awaiting TR.

• Cetylpyridinium chloride (CPC) (AB/KH). Deferred to Spring 2022 meeting. Awaiting the final

draft of the TR.

• Fish oil annotation (AB). The lead provided a brief summary of the draft document for the

group, noting that most industry groups are supportive, and that it is mostly used by large dairy

producers.
National List Motion:

Motion to add the following annotation at § 205.606 (e) Fish oil (Fatty acid CAS #'s: 10417-94-4, 

and 25167-62-8) - stabilized with organic ingredients or only with ingredients on the National 

List, §§205.605 and 205.606. Sourced from fishing industry by-product only and certified as 

sustainable against a third-party certification that is International Social and Environmental 

Accreditation and Labeling (ISEAL) Code Compliant or Global Seafood Sustainability Initiative 

(GSSI).

Motion by: AB

Seconded by: KS

Yes: 6 No: 0 Abstain: 0 Absent: 1 Recuse: 0 

• Additional items

o Peroxylactic acid (“PLA”). The Handling Subcommittee proposed questions for the TR for 

peroxylactic acid, and the HS Chair will forward them to the NOP. 

• The meeting was adjourned

Previous HS Notes

Future call schedule (1st and 3rd Tuesdays 1:00 ET. except where noted)

July 20, 2021

2023 Sunset: Potassium lactate (JD) - Discuss review/vote

2023 Sunset: Sodium lactate (JD) - Discuss review/vote

2023 Sunset: Agar-agar (KH) - Discuss review/vote

2023 Sunset: Animal enzymes (KH) - Discuss review/vote

Zein (JD) - Discuss proposal/vote

Cetylpyridinium chloride (CPC) (AB/KH) - Discuss proposal (pending receipt of TR addendum)

Fish oil annotation (AB) - Discuss proposal

August 3, 2021

Zein (JD) - Discuss proposal/vote

Phosphoric acid - amend annotation (KS/AB) - Discuss proposal/vote (TR pending)

Cetylpyridinium chloride (CPC) (AB/KH) - Discuss proposal/vote

Fish oil annotation (AB) - Discuss proposal/vote

 August 17, 2021

September 7, 2021

September 21, 2021

October 5, 2021

October 19, 2021

November 2, 2021

November 16, 2021

December 7, 2021

December 21, 2021
Work Agenda

Petitioned Substances: 

Substance National

List Contact DocType Notes*

Scheduled,

Discussed, Voted

Target

meeting

Whey protein 

concentrate

(removal from 

205.606)

205.606 SE/AB Proposal Petition sent to HS 12.23.19. 

Sufficiency due 2.29.20. HS sent 

additional questions to petitioner 

02.04.20. Questions revised and 

resent 3.13.20. Response returned 

3.23.20. Sufficiency due ASAP. HS 

found petition sufficient 07.07.20. 

Hold pending completion of Fall 

2020 sunset recommendation

TBD TBD

Cetylpyridinium 

chloride (CPC)

205.605 AB/KH Proposal Petition sent to HS 01.13.20. 

Sufficiency due 03.13.20. HS sent 

additional questions to petitioner 

03.17.20. Petitioner’s responses 

sent to HS 5.4.20. Petition found 

sufficient 05.19.20. The HS 

requested TR 06.02.20. Expected 

back in mid-January. TR sent to HS 

2.2.21. TR sufficiency due 4.3.21. 

HS sent additional questions to TR 

contractor 3.16.21. DRAFT TR sent 

to CS 6.28.21. Final TR pending

5.19.20

06.02.20

07.21.20

3.16.21

8.3.21

Spr 2022

Phosphoric acid -

amend annotation

Addendum #1

Addendum #2

205.605(b) KS/AB Proposal 2003 TR

Petition sent to HS 01.28.20. 

Sufficiency due 03.28.20. HS sent 

additional questions to petitioner 

03.17.20. Response sent to HS 

4.6.20. HS sent additional 

questions to petitioner 5.6.20.

Response sent to HS 8.10.20.

Petition found sufficient 9.1.20 

and HS requested a full TR 12.1.20. 

TR due ~early Aug.

8.3.21 Spr 2022

Zein 205.606 JD Proposal Petition sent to HS 03.20.20. 

Sufficiency due 05.19.20. HS sent 

additional questions to the 

petitioner 06.02.20. Response sent 

to HS 06.16.20. HS found petition 

sufficient 07.07.20 and requested 

a TR. TR sent to HS 01.21.21. TR 

Sufficiency due 03.22.21. TR found 

sufficient 2.2.21. 

6.15.21

7.6.21

7.20.21

8.3.21

Fall 2021

Peroxylactic Acid 

(“PLA”) 

205.605(b) JD TBD Petition sent to HS 04.07.21. 

Petition sufficiency due 6.6.21. 

Petition found sufficient 6.1.21. HS 

requested a TR 8.3.21. 

5.18.21

6.1.21

8.3.21

TBD
Other Projects

*Highlight indicates committee action needed. *Highlight indicates review completion and/or vote

2023 Sunset Review: TR Requests (July 2020), Summary (Spr 2021), Review (Fall 2021)

Substance Contact Notes*

Scheduled,

Discussed, Voted

Target

meeting

Fish oil annotation

proposal

AB Work agenda request 5.13.19. Sent to NOP 7.3.19. 

Approved by NOP 8.6.19. 

7.20.21

8.3.21

Fall 2021

L-Malic acid 

reclassification

TBD Work agenda request 5.13.19. Sent to NOP 7.3.19. 

Approved by NOP 8.6.19. On hold.

TBD TBD

Research Priorities ALL RPs due to MS 7.20.21. 7.6.21 Fall 2021

Substance National

List Contact TRRequest? Notes*

Scheduled,

Discussed, 

Voted

Target

meeting

Agar-agar 205.605(a) KH N Sunset date: 5.29.23

TR: 2011.

2016/Fall - Rec to Renew

7.20.21 Summary: 

Spr 2021 

Review: 

Fall 2021

Animal enzymes 205.605(a) KH N Sunset date: 5.29.23

TR: 2011 (enzymes); 2015 

(enzymes).

2016/Fall - Rec to Renew

7.20.21 “

Calcium sulfate -

mined

205.605(a) WT N Sunset date: 5.29.23

TR: 2001.

2016/Fall - Rec to Renew

6.1.21 “

Carrageenan 205.605(a) JD/AB N Sunset date: 5.29.23

TR: 2011; 2016.

2016/Fall - Rec to Renew

6.15.21 “

Glucono deltalactone205.605(a) WT N Sunset date: 5.29.23

TR: 2016.

2016/Fall - Rec to Renew

7.6.21 “

Tartaric acid 205.605(a) SE N Sunset date: 5.29.23

TR: 2011.

2016/Fall - Rec to Renew

7.6.21 “

Cellulose 205.605(b) CD N Sunset date: 11.3.23

TR: 2016.

2016/Fall - Rec to Renew

6.1.21 “

Chlorine materials

(i) Calcium 

hypochlorite.

(ii) Chlorine dioxide.

205.605(b) AB N Sunset date: 1.28.24

TR: 2015 (Hypochlorous acid).

2016/Spr - Rec to ADD

6.15.21 “
2024 Sunset Review: TR Requests (June 2021), Summary (Spr 2022), Review (Fall 2022)

(iii) Hypochlorous 

acid—generated 

from electrolyzed 

water.

(iv) Sodium 

hypochlorite

Potassium hydroxide 205.605(b) SE N Sunset date: 5.29.23

TR: 2016.

2016/Fall - Rec to Renew

7.6.21 “

Silicon dioxide 205.605(b) KS N Sunset date: 5.29.23

TR: 2010.

2016/Fall - Rec to Renew

6.15.21 “

Potassium lactate 205.605(b) JD N Sunset date: 1.28.24

TR: 2015 (Lactic acid, sodium 

lactate, and potassium lactate).

2016/Spring - Rec to ADD

7.6.21

7.20.21

“

Sodium lactate 205.605(b) JD N Sunset date: 1.28.24

TR: 2015 (Lactic acid, sodium 

lactate, and potassium lactate).

2016/Spring - Rec to ADD

7.6.21

7.20.21

“

 Substance National List Contact TR

Request? Notes*

Scheduled, 

Discussed, 

Voted

Target 

meeting

Attapulgite 205.605(a) KH N Sunset date: 10.30.24

TR: 2010 TR.

2017/Fall – Rec to Renew

5.18.21

6.1.21

Summary: 

Spr 2022

Review: 

Fall 2022

Bentonite 205.605(a) WT N Sunset date: 10.30.24

TR: 1995 TAP.

2017/Fall – Rec to Renew

5.18.21

6.1.21

“ “

Diatomaceous earth 205.605(a) KH N Sunset date: 10.30.24

TR: 1995 TAP.

2017/Fall – Rec to Renew

5.18.21

6.1.21

“ “

Magnesium chloride 205.605(a) KS N Sunset date: 11.22.24

TR: 1995 TAP; 2016 TR.

2017/Fall – Rec to Renew

5.18.21

6.1.21

“ “

Nitrogen 205.605(a) KS N Sunset date: 10.30.24

TR: 1995 TAP.

2017/Fall – Rec to Renew

5.18.21

6.1.21

“ “

Sodium carbonate 205.605(a) AB N Sunset date: 10.30.24

TR: 1995 TAP.

2017/Fall – Rec to Renew

5.18.21

6.1.21

“ “
 Milestones

Acidified sodium 

chlorite

205.605(b) CD N Sunset date: 10.30.24

TR: 2008 TAP; 2013 TR 

(livestock).

2017/Fall – Rec to Renew

5.18.21

6.1.21

“ “

Carbon dioxide 205.605(b) CD N Sunset date: 10.30.24

TR: 1995 TAP; 2006 TAP.

2017/Fall – Rec to Renew

5.18.21

6.1.21

“ “

Sodium phosphates 205.605(b) WT N Sunset date: 10.30.24

TR: 2001 TAP; 2016 TR 

(phosphates).

2017/Fall – Rec to Renew

5.18.21

6.1.21

“ “

Casings 205.606(b) JD N Sunset date: 10.30.24

TR: N/A

2017/Fall – Rec to Renew

5.18.21

6.1.21

“ “

Pectin 205.606(p) JD N Sunset date: 10.30.24

TR: 1995 TAP; 2009 TR; 

2010 TR (supplemental); 

2015 Limited Scope TR.

2017/Fall – Rec to REMOVE

5.18.21

6.1.21

“ “

Potassium acid 

tartrate

205.606(q) AB N Sunset date: 05.30.24

TR: 1995 TAP; 2017 TR.

2017/Fall – Rec to Renew

5.18.21

6.1.21

“ “

Fall 2021 Milestones Target dates (tentative)

NOP - Publish FRN, Open public comment Jun 3, 2021

NOSB Request for TRs for 2024 sunset materials Jun 18, 2021

NOP - Draft Fall 2020 NOSB meeting tentative agenda Jul 30, 2021

NOSB - Fall 2021 proposals due to NOP Aug 13, 2021

NOP - Post proposals On or before Sep 1, 2021

Discuss/finalize work agendas on ES call Sep 21, 2021

Public comment closes Sep 30, 2021

NOP - Send compiled public comments to NOSB ~Oct 4, 2021

Public comment webinars Oct 12 & 14, 2021

Fall 2021 NOSB meeting - Sacramento, CA Oct 19 - 21, 2021
Note: Subcommittee notes may include preliminary discussions regarding substances considered for addition to or removal from the National 

List. They do not represent official National Organic Program (NOP) policy/regulations or NOSB recommendations. Proposals must be voted on 

by the full Board, to become recommendations to the USDA. Please see the NOP website for official NOP policy, regulations, and status of 

substances used in organic production and handling.

Handling Subcommittee (HS) Notes 

Tuesday, July 20, 2021 1:00 pm ET

Present: Jerry D’Amore (JD), Chair; Asa Bradman (AB), Vice Chair; Carolyn Dimitri (CD); Wood Turner 

(WT); Steve Ela (SE); Kyla Smith (KS); Kim Huseman (KH)

Absent: None

Staff: Michelle Arsenault (MA); Jared Clark (JC)

Agenda

• Review July 6, 2021 notes

• 2023 Sunset: Potassium lactate (JD) - Discuss review/vote

• 2023 Sunset: Sodium lactate (JD) - Discuss review/vote

• 2023 Sunset: Agar-agar (KH) - Discuss review/vote

• 2023 Sunset: Animal enzymes (KH) - Discuss review/vote

• Zein (JD) - Discuss proposal/vote

• Cetylpyridinium chloride (CPC) (AB/KH) - Discuss proposal (pending receipt of TR addendum)

• Fish oil annotation (AB) - Discuss proposal

• Additional items

• Adjourn

Discussion

• July 6, 2021 notes were accepted as written.

• 2023 Sunset: Potassium lactate (JD). The HS discussed both potassium lactate and sodium 

lactate during the last call. The lead presented a brief summary of both of the substances and 

public comment, and the group moved to a vote. 

Motion to remove potassium lactate from the NL 

Motion by: JD

Seconded by: SE

Yes: 0 No: 7 Abstain: 0 Absent: 0 Recuse: 0 

• 2023 Sunset: Sodium lactate (JD). The lead noted that sodium lactate is sometimes used as a substitute 

for potassium lactate, but other than that, the review is the same as noted above. 

Motion to remove sodium lactate from the NL 

Motion by: JD

Seconded by: KH

Yes: 0 No: 7 Abstain: 0 Absent: 0 Recuse: 0 

• 2023 Sunset: Agar-agar (KH). The lead summarized the uses of agar-agar, noting sources that are used 

for extraction. Public commenters from the Spring meeting supported relisting, and some noted the 

distinction between synthetic vs non-synthetic forms. A member noted that agar-agar is listed at 

§205.605 as a non-synthetic, and that would presume that the species it comes from was the nonsynthetic form, however according to the certifier member, all extraction methods of agar-agar are 

considered synthetic, despite the fact that it is listed at 205.605(a) The group discussed potential 

reclassification and will add some questions to the review for public comment. The HS may request a 

TR?
Motion to remove agar-agar from the NL 

Motion by: KH

Seconded by: JD

Yes: 0 No: 7 Abstain: 0 Absent: 0 Recuse: 0 

• 2023 Sunset: Animal enzymes (KH). Animal enzymes are used in cheese production and there are no 

organic alternatives (or commercial availability of organic enzymes. The lead noted that the dairy 

industry was vocal when it came to comments, one commenter mentioned the need to review ancillary 

substances, and all other commenters were in support of relisting. 

Motion to remove animal enzymes from the NL 

Motion by: KH

Seconded by: JD

Yes: 0 No: 7 Abstain: 0 Absent: 0 Recuse: 0 

• Zein (JD). The lead summarized the substance and noted that the HS has also discussed zein

during the last two calls. Zein is being petitioned for use as a coating for vegan capsules, and 

there are no organic sources. Additionally, the petitioner does not restrict zein to this particular 

use. The group emphasized that zein is an agricultural substance. The lead will revise the draft 

document based on today’s conversation and the HS will vote on the next call. 

• Fish oil annotation (AB). The HS discussed the current draft proposal and the three proposed 

annotations and the group discussed the pros and cons of each. The lead received comments 

from several stakeholder group and received written comments from the Marine Stewardship 

Council (MSC), which were submitted to the open comment docket. There was support for the 

annotation regarding a third-party certification. A member noted the need for consistency with 

the previous NOSB recommendation for Marine Materials. 

• Cetylpyridinium chloride (CPC) (AB/KH). Deferred to next call. 

• Additional items. None.

• The meeting was adjourned

Previous HS Notes

Future call schedule (1st and 3rd Tuesdays 1:00 ET. except where noted)

July 6, 2021

Research Priorities - Discuss and send to MS

2023 Sunset: Glucono delta-lactone (WT) - Discuss review/vote

2023 Sunset: Tartaric acid (SE) - Discuss review/vote

2023 Sunset: Potassium hydroxide (SE) - Discuss review/vote

2023 Sunset: Potassium lactate (JD) - Discuss review/vote

2023 Sunset: Sodium lactate (JD) - Discuss review/vote

Zein (JD) - Discuss proposal/vote

July 20, 2021

2023 Sunset: Potassium lactate (JD) - Discuss review/vote

2023 Sunset: Sodium lactate (JD) - Discuss review/vote

2023 Sunset: Agar-agar (KH) - Discuss review/vote

2023 Sunset: Animal enzymes (KH) - Discuss review/vote

Zein (JD) - Discuss proposal/vote

Cetylpyridinium chloride (CPC) (AB/KH) - Discuss proposal (pending receipt of TR addendum)

Fish oil annotation (AB) - Discuss proposal
August 3, 2021

Zein (JD) - Discuss proposal/vote

Phosphoric acid - amend annotation (KS/AB) - Discuss proposal/vote (TR pending) 

Cetylpyridinium chloride (CPC) (AB/KH) - Discuss proposal/vote 

Fish oil annotation (AB) - Discuss proposal/vote

 August 17, 2021

September 7, 2021

September 21, 2021

October 5, 2021

October 19, 2021

November 2, 2021

November 16, 2021

December 7, 2021

December 21, 2021

Work Agenda

Petitioned Substances

Substance National

List Contact DocType Notes*

Scheduled,

Discussed, 

Voted

Target

meeting

Whey protein 

concentrate

(removal from 

205.606)

205.606 SE/AB Proposal Petition sent to HS 12.23.19. 

Sufficiency due 2.29.20. HS sent 

additional questions to petitioner 

02.04.20. Questions revised and 

resent 3.13.20. Response returned 

3.23.20. Sufficiency due ASAP. HS 

found petition sufficient 07.07.20. 

Hold pending completion of Fall 

2020 sunset recommendation

TBD TBD

Cetylpyridinium 

chloride (CPC)

205.605 AB/KH Proposal Petition sent to HS 01.13.20. 

Sufficiency due 03.13.20. HS sent 

additional questions to petitioner 

03.17.20. Petitioners responses 

sent to HS 5.4.20. Petition found 

sufficient 05.19.20. The HS 

requested TR 06.02.20. Expected 

back in mid-January. TR sent to HS 

2.2.21. TR sufficiency due 4.3.21. 

HS sent additional questions to TR 

contractor 3.16.21. DRAFT TR sent 

to CS 6.28.21. 

5.19.20

06.02.20

07.21.20

3.16.21

8.3.21

Fall 2021

Phosphoric acid -

amend annotation

Addendum #1

Addendum #2

205.605(b) KS/AB Proposal 2003 TR

Petition sent to HS 01.28.20. 

Sufficiency due 03.28.20. HS sent 

additional questions to petitioner 

03.17.20. Response sent to HS 

4.6.20. HS sent additional 

questions to petitioner 5.6.20.

Response sent to HS 8.10.20.

Petition found sufficient 9.1.20 

and HS requested a full TR 12.1.20. 

TR due ~Jul.

8.3.21 Fall 2021
Other Projects

*Highlight indicates committee action needed. *Highlight indicates review completion and/or vote

2023 Sunset Review: TR Requests (July 2020), Summary (Spr 2021), Review (Fall 2021)

Zein 205.606 JD Proposal Petition sent to HS 03.20.20. 

Sufficiency due 05.19.20. HS sent 

additional questions to the 

petitioner 06.02.20. Response sent 

to HS 06.16.20. HS found petition 

sufficient 07.07.20 and requested 

a TR. TR sent to HS 01.21.21. TR 

Sufficiency due 03.22.21. TR found 

sufficient 2.2.21. 

6.15.21

7.6.21

7.20.21

8.3.21

Fall 2021

Peroxylactic Acid 

(“PLA”) 

205.605(b) JD TBD Petition sent to HS 04.07.21. 

Petition sufficiency due 6.6.21. 

Petition found sufficient 6.1.21. HS 

requested a TR.

5.18.21

6.1.21

TBD

Substance Contact Notes*

Scheduled,

Discussed, 

Voted

Target

meeting

Fish oil annotation

proposal

AB Work agenda request 5.13.19. Sent to NOP 7.3.19. 

Approved by NOP 8.6.19. 

7.20.21

8.3.21

Fall 2021

L-Malic acid 

reclassification

TBD Work agenda request 5.13.19. Sent to NOP 7.3.19. 

Approved by NOP 8.6.19. On hold.

TBD TBD

Research Priorities ALL RPs due to MS 7.20.21. 7.6.21 Fall 2021

Substance National

List Contact TRRequest? Notes*

Scheduled,

Discussed, 

Voted

Target

meeting

Agar-agar 205.605(a) KH N Sunset date: 5.29.23

TR: 2011.

2016/Fall - Rec to Renew

7.20.21 Summary: 

Spr 2021 

Review: 

Fall 2021

Animal enzymes 205.605(a) KH N Sunset date: 5.29.23

TR: 2011 (enzymes); 2015 

(enzymes).

2016/Fall - Rec to Renew

7.20.21 “

Calcium sulfate -

mined

205.605(a) WT N Sunset date: 5.29.23

TR: 2001.

2016/Fall - Rec to Renew

6.1.21 “

Carrageenan 205.605(a) JD/AB N Sunset date: 5.29.23

TR: 2011; 2016.

2016/Fall - Rec to Renew

6.15.21 “

Glucono deltalactone205.605(a) WT N Sunset date: 5.29.23

TR: 2016.

2016/Fall - Rec to Renew

7.6.21 “
2024 Sunset Review: TR Requests (June 2021), Summary (Spr 2022), Review (Fall 2022)

Tartaric acid 205.605(a) SE N Sunset date: 5.29.23

TR: 2011.

2016/Fall - Rec to Renew

7.6.21 “

Cellulose 205.605(b) CD N Sunset date: 11.3.23

TR: 2016.

2016/Fall - Rec to Renew

6.1.21 “

Chlorine materials

(i) Calcium 

hypochlorite.

(ii) Chlorine dioxide.

(iii) Hypochlorous 

acid—generated 

from electrolyzed 

water. (iv) Sodium 

hypochlorite

205.605(b) AB N Sunset date: 1.28.24

TR: 2015 (Hypochlorous acid).

2016/Spr - Rec to ADD

6.15.21 “

Potassium hydroxide 205.605(b) SE N Sunset date: 5.29.23

TR: 2016.

2016/Fall - Rec to Renew

7.6.21 “

Silicon dioxide 205.605(b) KS N Sunset date: 5.29.23

TR: 2010.

2016/Fall - Rec to Renew

6.15.21 “

Potassium lactate 205.605(b) JD N Sunset date: 1.28.24

TR: 2015 (Lactic acid, sodium 

lactate, and potassium lactate).

2016/Spring - Rec to ADD

7.6.21

7.20.21

“

Sodium lactate 205.605(b) JD N Sunset date: 1.28.24

TR: 2015 (Lactic acid, sodium 

lactate, and potassium lactate).

2016/Spring - Rec to ADD

7.6.21

7.20.21

“

 Substance National List Contact TR

Request? Notes*

Scheduled, 

Discussed, Voted

Target 

meeting

Attapulgite 205.605(a) KH N Sunset date: 10.30.24

TR: 2010 TR.

2017/Fall – Rec to Renew

5.18.21

6.1.21

Summary: 

Spr 2022

Review: 

Fall 2022

Bentonite 205.605(a) WT N Sunset date: 10.30.24

TR: 1995 TAP.

2017/Fall – Rec to Renew

5.18.21

6.1.21

“ “

Diatomaceous earth 205.605(a) KH N Sunset date: 10.30.24

TR: 1995 TAP.

2017/Fall – Rec to Renew

5.18.21

6.1.21

“ “

Magnesium chloride 205.605(a) KS N Sunset date: 11.22.24

TR: 1995 TAP; 2016 TR.

2017/Fall – Rec to Renew

5.18.21

6.1.21

“ “
 Milestones

Nitrogen 205.605(a) KS N Sunset date: 10.30.24

TR: 1995 TAP.

2017/Fall – Rec to Renew

5.18.21

6.1.21

“ “

Sodium carbonate 205.605(a) AB N Sunset date: 10.30.24

TR: 1995 TAP.

2017/Fall – Rec to Renew

5.18.21

6.1.21

“ “

Acidified sodium 

chlorite

205.605(b) CD N Sunset date: 10.30.24

TR: 2008 TAP; 2013 TR 

(livestock).

2017/Fall – Rec to Renew

5.18.21

6.1.21

“ “

Carbon dioxide 205.605(b) CD N Sunset date: 10.30.24

TR: 1995 TAP; 2006 TAP.

2017/Fall – Rec to Renew

5.18.21

6.1.21

“ “

Sodium phosphates 205.605(b) WT N Sunset date: 10.30.24

TR: 2001 TAP; 2016 TR 

(phosphates).

2017/Fall – Rec to Renew

5.18.21

6.1.21

“ “

Casings 205.606(b) JD N Sunset date: 10.30.24

TR: N/A

2017/Fall – Rec to Renew

5.18.21

6.1.21

“ “

Pectin 205.606(p) JD N Sunset date: 10.30.24

TR: 1995 TAP; 2009 TR; 

2010 TR (supplemental); 

2015 Limited Scope TR.

2017/Fall – Rec to REMOVE

5.18.21

6.1.21

“ “

Potassium acid 

tartrate

205.606(q) AB N Sunset date: 05.30.24

TR: 1995 TAP; 2017 TR.

2017/Fall – Rec to Renew

5.18.21

6.1.21

“ “

Fall 2021 Milestones Target dates (tentative)

NOP - Publish FRN, Open public comment Jun 3, 2021

NOSB Request for TRs for 2024 sunset materials Jun 18, 2021

NOP - Draft Fall 2020 NOSB meeting tentative agenda Jul 30, 2021

NOSB - Fall 2021 proposals due to NOP Aug 13, 2021

NOP - Post proposals On or before Sep 1, 2021

Discuss/finalize work agendas on ES call Sep 21, 2021

Public comment closes Sep 30, 2021

NOP - Send compiled public comments to NOSB ~Oct 4, 2021

Public comment webinars Oct 12 & 14, 2021

Fall 2021 NOSB meeting - Sacramento, CA Oct 19 - 21, 2021
Note: Subcommittee notes may include preliminary discussions regarding substances considered for addition to or removal from the National 

List. They do not represent official National Organic Program (NOP) policy/regulations or NOSB recommendations. Proposals must be voted on 

by the full Board, to become recommendations to the USDA. Please see the NOP website for official NOP policy, regulations, and status of 

substances used in organic production and handling.

Handling Subcommittee (HS) Notes 

Tuesday, July 6, 2021 1:00 pm ET

Present: Jerry D’Amore (JD), Chair; Asa Bradman (AB), Vice Chair; Carolyn Dimitri (CD); Wood Turner 

(WT); Steve Ela (SE)

Absent: Kyla Smith (KS); Kim Huseman (KH)

Staff: Michelle Arsenault (MA); Jared Clark (JC)

Agenda

• Review June 15, 2021 notes

• Carrageenan (JD) - follow up

• Research Priorities - Discuss and send to MS

• 2023 Sunset: Glucono delta-lactone (WT) - Discuss review/vote

• 2023 Sunset: Tartaric acid (SE) - Discuss review/vote

• 2023 Sunset: Potassium hydroxide (SE) - Discuss review/vote

• 2023 Sunset: Potassium lactate (JD) - Discuss review/vote

• 2023 Sunset: Sodium lactate (JD) - Discuss review/vote

• Zein (JD) - Discuss proposal/vote

• Additional items

• Adjourn

Discussion

• June 15, 2021 notes were accepted as written

• Carrageenan (JD). The lead will contact Subcommittee members to finalize the carrageenan 

review before submitting it to the NOP. 

• Research Priorities. The HS discussed the Spring version of the research priorities list and will 

not add or delete any priorities for the Fall posting. The HS Chair will send an email to the 

Materials Subcommittee confirming the Handling priorities.

• 2023 Sunset: Glucono delta-lactone (GDL) (WT). The lead summarized the uses of GDL, which is 

primarily used for production of tofu. It appears to be in limited use, although the operations 

that are using it argued to have it remain on the National List. Commenters expressed concerns 

about synthetic GDL production and excluded methods, and suggested clarification of the 

annotation. The HS supports relisting and will include questions in the review to solicit feedback 

about the need for an annotation change to address these concerns. 

Motion to remove glucono delta-lactone from the NL 

Motion by: WT

Seconded by: JD

Yes: 0 No: 5 Abstain: 0 Absent: 2 Recuse: 0 

• 2023 Sunset: Tartaric acid (SE). The lead summarized the use and manufacture of tartaric acid 

which is made from wine grapes. Tartaric acid has a very wide variety of uses including use as an 

acidulant, pH control agent, preservative, emulsifier, chelating agent, flavor enhancer and 

modifier, stabilizer, anti-caking agent, and firming agent. The HS supports relisting at this time.

Motion to remove tartaric acid from the NL 

Motion by: SE
Seconded by: JD

Yes: 0 No: 5 Abstain: 0 Absent: 2 Recuse: 0

• 2023 Sunset: Potassium hydroxide (SE). The lead summarized the public comments from the 

Spring meeting, which were mixed. Potassium hydroxide is in wide use and has a wide variety of 

uses, such as a pH adjuster, cleaning agent, stabilizer, thickener, etc. The HS also discussed a 

possible annotation change, given that the current annotation is written in the negative, rather 

than positively identifying when the substance can be used. The HS supports relisting based on 

essentiality. 

Motion to remove potassium hydroxide from the NL 

Motion by: SE

Seconded by: AB

Yes: 0 No: 5 Abstain: 0 Absent: 2 Recuse: 0

• 2023 Sunset: Potassium lactate/ Sodium lactate (JD). The lead summarized both potassium and 

sodium lactate. Both are antimicrobials and pH regulators, both are GRAS, both have similar 

uses, with some small differences. There is also a difference between US and International 

standards. The lead will circulate the draft reviews and the HS will vote on the next call. 

• Zein (JD). The HS discussed zein on the last call and continued the conversation. Zein is being petitioned 

as a protective coating in capsules that is a vegan alternative. There are no known organic sources of 

zein. There were eight comments at the Spring meeting, and six of the eight were opposed to listing, and 

two had no opinion. One member noted that zein seems innocuous, and would support listing for use in 

supplements, but not as coating in fruits and vegetables. Other members echoed concerns about 

unintended uses. The lead will modify the document and the HS will discuss and vote on the next call. 

• Additional items. None.

• The meeting was adjourned

Previous HS Notes

Future call schedule (1st and 3rd Tuesdays 1:00 ET. except where noted)

June 15, 2021

Zein (JD) - Discuss proposal

2023 Sunset: Chlorine materials (AB) - Discuss review/vote

2023 Sunset: Silicon dioxide (KS) - Discuss review/vote

2023 Sunset: Carrageenan (JD/AB) - Discuss review/vote

July 6, 2021

Research Priorities - Discuss and send to MS

2023 Sunset: Glucono delta-lactone (WT) - Discuss review/vote

2023 Sunset: Tartaric acid (SE) - Discuss review/vote

2023 Sunset: Potassium hydroxide (SE) - Discuss review/vote

2023 Sunset: Potassium lactate (JD) - Discuss review/vote

2023 Sunset: Sodium lactate (JD) - Discuss review/vote

Zein (JD) - Discuss proposal/vote

July 20, 2021

2023 Sunset: Potassium lactate (JD) - Discuss review/vote

2023 Sunset: Sodium lactate (JD) - Discuss review/vote

2023 Sunset: Agar-agar (KH) - Discuss review/vote

2023 Sunset: Animal enzymes (KH) - Discuss review/vote

Zein (JD) - Discuss proposal/vote
Cetylpyridinium chloride (CPC) (AB/KH) - Discuss proposal/vote

Fish oil annotation (AB) - Discuss proposal

August 3, 2021

Phosphoric acid - amend annotation (KS/AB) - Discuss proposal (pending receipt of TR)

 August 17, 2021

September 7, 2021

September 21, 2021

October 5, 2021

October 19, 2021

November 2, 2021

November 16, 2021

December 7, 2021

December 21, 2021

Work Agenda

Petitioned Substances: 

Substance National

List Contact DocType Notes*

Scheduled,

Discussed, Voted

Target

meeting

Whey protein 

concentrate

(removal from 

205.606)

205.606 SE/AB Proposal Petition sent to HS 12.23.19. 

Sufficiency due 2.29.20. HS sent 

additional questions to petitioner 

02.04.20. Questions revised and 

resent 3.13.20. Response returned 

3.23.20. Sufficiency due ASAP. HS 

found petition sufficient 07.07.20. 

Hold pending completion of Fall 

2020 sunset recommendation. 

TBD TBD

Cetylpyridinium 

chloride (CPC)

205.605 AB/KH Proposal Petition sent to HS 01.13.20. 

Sufficiency due 03.13.20. HS sent 

additional questions to petitioner 

03.17.20. Petitioners responses 

sent to HS 5.4.20. Petition found 

sufficient 05.19.20. The HS 

requested TR 06.02.20. Expected 

back in mid-January. TR sent to HS 

2.2.21. TR sufficiency due 4.3.21. 

HS sent additional questions to TR 

contractor 3.16.21. Draft TRr sent 

to HS 6.28.21

5.19.20

06.02.20

07.21.20

3.16.21

7.20.21

Fall 2021

Phosphoric acid -

amend annotation

Addendum #1

Addendum #2

205.605(b) KS/AB Proposal 2003 TR

Petition sent to HS 01.28.20. 

Sufficiency due 03.28.20. HS sent 

additional questions to petitioner 

03.17.20. Response sent to HS 

4.6.20. HS sent additional 

questions to petitioner 5.6.20.

Response sent to HS 8.10.20.

Petition found sufficient 9.1.20 

and HS requested a full TR 12.1.20. 

TR due ~Jul.

8.3.21 Fall 2021
Other Projects

*Highlight indicates committee action needed. *Highlight indicates review completion and/or vote

2023 Sunset Review: TR Requests (July 2020), Summary (Spr 2021), Review (Fall 2021)

Zein 205.606 JD Proposal Petition sent to HS 03.20.20. 

Sufficiency due 05.19.20. HS sent 

additional questions to the 

petitioner 06.02.20. Response sent 

to HS 06.16.20. HS found petition 

sufficient 07.07.20 and requested 

a TR. TR sent to HS 01.21.21. TR 

Sufficiency due 03.22.21. TR found 

sufficient 2.2.21. 

6.15.21

7.6.21

7.20.21

Fall 2021

Peroxylactic Acid 

(“PLA”) 

205.605(b) JD TBD Petition sent to HS 04.07.21. 

Petition sufficiency due 6.6.21. 

Petition found sufficient 6.1.21. HS 

requested a TR.

5.18.21

6.1.21

TBD

Substance Contact Notes*

Scheduled,

Discussed, Voted

Target

meeting

Fish oil annotation

Proposal

AB Work agenda request 5.13.19. Sent to NOP 7.3.19. 

Approved by NOP 8.6.19. 

7.20.21 Fall 2021

L-Malic acid 

reclassification

what Work agenda request 5.13.19. Sent to NOP 7.3.19. 

Approved by NOP 8.6.19. 

TBD TBD

Research Priorities ALL RPs due to MS 7.20.21. 7.6.21 Fall 2021

Substance National

List Contact TRRequest? Notes*

Scheduled,

Discussed, Voted

Target

meeting

Agar-agar 205.605(a) KH N Sunset date: 5.29.23

TR: 2011.

2016/Fall - Rec to Renew

7.20.21 Summary: 

Spr 2021 

Review: 

Fall 2021

Animal enzymes 205.605(a) KH N Sunset date: 5.29.23

TR: 2011 (enzymes); 2015 

(enzymes).

2016/Fall - Rec to Renew

7.20.21 “

Calcium sulfate -

mined

205.605(a) WT N Sunset date: 5.29.23

TR: 2001.

2016/Fall - Rec to Renew

6.1.21 “

Carrageenan 205.605(a) JD/AB N Sunset date: 5.29.23

TR: 2011; 2016.

2016/Fall - Rec to Renew

6.15.21 “

Glucono deltalactone205.605(a) WT N Sunset date: 5.29.23

TR: 2016.

2016/Fall - Rec to Renew

7.6.21 “
2024 Sunset Review: TR Requests (June 2021), Summary (Spr 2022), Review (Fall 2022)

Tartaric acid 205.605(a) SE N Sunset date: 5.29.23

TR: 2011.

2016/Fall - Rec to Renew

7.6.21 “

Cellulose 205.605(b) CD N Sunset date: 11.3.23

TR: 2016.

2016/Fall - Rec to Renew

6.1.21 “

Chlorine materials

(i) Calcium 

hypochlorite.

(ii) Chlorine dioxide.

(iii) Hypochlorous 

acid—generated 

from electrolyzed 

water.

(iv) Sodium 

hypochlorite

205.605(b) AB N Sunset date: 1.28.24

TR: 2015 (Hypochlorous acid).

2016/Spr - Rec to ADD

6.15.21 “

Potassium hydroxide 205.605(b) SE N Sunset date: 5.29.23

TR: 2016.

2016/Fall - Rec to Renew

7.6.21 “

Silicon dioxide 205.605(b) KS N Sunset date: 5.29.23

TR: 2010.

2016/Fall - Rec to Renew

6.15.21 “

Potassium lactate 205.605(b) JD N Sunset date: 1.28.24

TR: 2015 (Lactic acid, sodium 

lactate, and potassium lactate).

2016/Spring - Rec to ADD

7.6.21

7.20.21

“

Sodium lactate 205.605(b) JD N Sunset date: 1.28.24

TR: 2015 (Lactic acid, sodium 

lactate, and potassium lactate).

2016/Spring - Rec to ADD

7.6.21

7.20.21

“

 Substance National List Contact TR

Request? Notes*

Scheduled, 

Discussed, Voted

Target 

meeting

Attapulgite 205.605(a) KH N Sunset date: 10.30.24

TR: 2010 TR.

2017/Fall – Rec to Renew

5.18.21

6.1.21

Summary: 

Spr 2022

Review: 

Fall 2022

Bentonite 205.605(a) WT N Sunset date: 10.30.24

TR: 1995 TAP.

2017/Fall – Rec to Renew

5.18.21

6.1.21

“ “

Diatomaceous earth 205.605(a) KH N Sunset date: 10.30.24

TR: 1995 TAP.

2017/Fall – Rec to Renew

5.18.21

6.1.21

“ “

Magnesium chloride 205.605(a) KS N Sunset date: 11.22.24

TR: 1995 TAP; 2016 TR.

2017/Fall – Rec to Renew

5.18.21

6.1.21

“ “
 Milestones

Nitrogen 205.605(a) KS N Sunset date: 10.30.24

TR: 1995 TAP.

2017/Fall – Rec to Renew

5.18.21

6.1.21

“ “

Sodium carbonate 205.605(a) AB N Sunset date: 10.30.24

TR: 1995 TAP.

2017/Fall – Rec to Renew

5.18.21

6.1.21

“ “

Acidified sodium 

chlorite

205.605(b) CD N Sunset date: 10.30.24

TR: 2008 TAP; 2013 TR 

(livestock).

2017/Fall – Rec to Renew

5.18.21

6.1.21

“ “

Carbon dioxide 205.605(b) CD N Sunset date: 10.30.24

TR: 1995 TAP; 2006 TAP.

2017/Fall – Rec to Renew

5.18.21

6.1.21

“ “

Sodium phosphates 205.605(b) WT N Sunset date: 10.30.24

TR: 2001 TAP; 2016 TR 

(phosphates).

2017/Fall – Rec to Renew

5.18.21

6.1.21

“ “

Casings 205.606(b) JD N Sunset date: 10.30.24

TR: N/A

2017/Fall – Rec to Renew

5.18.21

6.1.21

“ “

Pectin 205.606(p) JD N Sunset date: 10.30.24

TR: 1995 TAP; 2009 TR; 

2010 TR (supplemental); 

2015 Limited Scope TR.

2017/Fall – Rec to REMOVE

5.18.21

6.1.21

“ “

Potassium acid 

tartrate

205.606(q) AB N Sunset date: 05.30.24

TR: 1995 TAP; 2017 TR.

2017/Fall – Rec to Renew

5.18.21

6.1.21

“ “

Fall 2021 Milestones Target dates (tentative)

NOP - Publish FRN, Open public comment Jun 3, 2021

NOSB Request for TRs for 2024 sunset materials Jun 18, 2021

NOP - Draft Fall 2020 NOSB meeting tentative agenda Jul 30, 2021

NOSB - Fall 2021 proposals due to NOP Aug 13, 2021

NOP - Post proposals On or before Sep 1, 2021

Discuss/finalize work agendas on ES call Sep 21, 2021

Public comment closes Sep 30, 2021

NOP - Send compiled public comments to NOSB ~Oct 4, 2021

Public comment webinars Oct 12 & 14, 2021

Fall 2021 NOSB meeting - Sacramento, CA Oct 19 - 21, 2021
Note: Subcommittee notes may include preliminary discussions regarding substances considered for addition to or removal from the National 

List. They do not represent official National Organic Program (NOP) policy/regulations or NOSB recommendations. Proposals must be voted on 

by the full Board, to become recommendations to the USDA. Please see the NOP website for official NOP policy, regulations, and status of 

substances used in organic production and handling.

Handling Subcommittee (HS) Notes 

Tuesday, June 15, 2021 1:00 pm ET

Present: Jerry D’Amore (JD), Chair; Asa Bradman (AB), Vice Chair; Kyla Smith (KS); Carolyn Dimitri (CD); 

Wood Turner (WT); Kim Huseman (KH)

Absent: Steve Ela (SE)

Staff: Michelle Arsenault (MA); Jared Clark (JC)

Agenda

• Review June 1, 2021 notes

• Zein (JD) - Discuss proposal

• 2023 Sunset: Chlorine materials (AB) - Discuss review/vote

• 2023 Sunset: Silicon dioxide (KS) - Discuss review/vote

• 2023 Sunset: Carrageenan (JD/AB) - Discuss review/vote

• 2023 Sunset: Glucono delta-lactone (WT) - Discuss review/vote

• Additional items

• Adjourn

Discussion

• June 1, 2021 notes accepted as written.

• Ion exchange update (NOP). The NOP met with several divisions at the Food and Drug 

Administration (FDA) regarding ion exchange resins to help clarify the lingering questions from 

the Spring 2021 NOSB recommendation. The FDA defines both food contact substances and 

secondary food additives, but the latter is not codified in the FDA regulations. Also, the FDA 

reviews ion exchange resins on a case by case basis and not as a category. The NOP will send a

written summary to the NOSB, in the form of a memo to the Board, so they can determine what 

the next steps would be should they decide to continue to work on this. 

• Zein (JD). The lead summarized the petitioned uses and the proposal for zein. Zein is being 

petitioned for addition to 205.606, as it has no known organic sources. According to the 

petitioner, zein has unique properties as a vegan coating for gel capsules. A member asked 

about GMOs and it appears that zein is not made from excluded methods. Members discussed 

criteria by which they review substances under OFPA. The HS presented a discussion document

at the Spring 2021 meeting and intends on presenting a proposal at the Fall 2021 meeting.

• 2023 Sunset: Chlorine materials (AB). The lead highlighted the text that was added to the draft 

review summarizing public comment from the April 2021 meeting. He also noted that chlorine 

materials are toxic, and there isn’t much info about monitoring in occupational environments, 

while also acknowledging that there are protections and restrictions for chlorine use in place. 

Despite the concerns, there is support for retaining chlorine materials on the National List, and

the NOSB will continue to stress the need to review the category of sanitizers. The NOSB 

recently discussed adding a work agenda item to explore adding a separate section on the NL for 

sanitizers. The HS moved to a vote. 

Motion to remove chlorine materials from the National List

Motion by: AB

Seconded by: JD 
Yes: 0 No: 6 Abstain: 0 Absent: 1 Recuse: 0

• 2023 Sunset: Silicon dioxide (KS). The lead summarized the substance and public comments from the 

Spring 2021 meeting. The HS recommends relisting at this time and will revisit a possible annotation

change, based on public comments. Currently the annotation reads: ”Allowed for other uses when 

organic rice hulls are not commercially available”. 

Motion to remove silicon dioxide from the National List

Motion by: KS

Seconded by: KH 

Yes: 0 No: 6 Abstain: 0 Absent: 1 Recuse: 0

• 2023 Sunset: Carrageenan (JD/AB). The lead summarized the uses, manufacture, public comments, and 

previous NOSB recommendation to remove carrageenan, which is a food thickener, emulsifier, and an 

accepted vegan alternative. Although the NOSB recommended removal based on essentiality, the NOP 

did not implement the recommendation, and therefore carrageenan remains on the National List. A 

member asked if the argument for listing carrageenan is similar to the argument for the listing of zein, in 

that it expands the organic market. Another member highlighted the intent behind OFPA, the National 

List, and the creation of a voluntary Advisory Board, which was to provide a check on the Program. 

Motion to remove carrageenan from the National List

Motion by: JD

Seconded by: KS

Yes: 5 No: 1 Abstain: 0 Absent: 1 Recuse: 0 

• 2023 Sunset: Glucono delta-lactone (WT). Deferred to next call due to lack of time. 

• Additional items. None.

• The meeting was adjourned

Previous HS Notes

Future call schedule (1st and 3rd Tuesdays 1:00 ET. except where noted)

June 1, 2021

Peroxylactic Acid (“PLA”) (JD) - Petition sufficiency

2024 Sunsets - TR requests

2023 Sunset: Calcium sulfate - mined (WT) - Discuss review/vote

2023 Sunset: Cellulose (CD) - Discuss review/vote

June 15, 2021

Zein (JD) - Discuss proposal

2023 Sunset: Chlorine materials (AB) - Discuss review/vote

2023 Sunset: Silicon dioxide (KS) - Discuss review/vote

2023 Sunset: Carrageenan (JD/AB) - Discuss review/vote

July 6, 2021

Research Priorities - Discuss and send to MS

2023 Sunset: Glucono delta-lactone (WT) - Discuss review/vote

2023 Sunset: Agar-agar (KH) - Discuss review/vote

2023 Sunset: Animal enzymes (KH) - Discuss review/vote

2023 Sunset: Tartaric acid (SE) - Discuss review/vote

2023 Sunset: Potassium hydroxide (SE) - Discuss review/vote

2023 Sunset: Potassium lactate (JD) - Discuss review/vote

2023 Sunset: Sodium lactate (JD) - Discuss review/vote

Zein (JD) - Discuss proposal/vote
Fish oil annotation (AB) - Discuss proposal

July 20, 2021

Cetylpyridinium chloride (CPC) (AB/KH) - Discuss proposal (pending receipt of TR addendum)

August 3, 2021

Phosphoric acid - amend annotation (KS/AB) - Discuss proposal (pending receipt of TR)

 August 17, 2021

September 7, 2021

September 21, 2021

October 5, 2021

October 19, 2021

November 2, 2021

November 16, 2021

December 7, 2021

December 21, 2021

Work Agenda

Petitioned Substances: 

Substance National

List Contact DocType Notes*

Scheduled,

Discussed, 

Voted

Target

meeting

Whey protein 

concentrate

(removal from 

205.606)

205.606 SE/AB Proposal Petition sent to HS 12.23.19. 

Sufficiency due 2.29.20. HS sent 

additional questions to petitioner 

02.04.20. Questions revised and 

resent 3.13.20. Response returned 

3.23.20. Sufficiency due ASAP. HS 

found petition sufficient 07.07.20. 

Hold pending completion of Fall 

2020 sunset recommendation

TBD TBD

Cetylpyridinium 

chloride (CPC)

205.605 AB/KH Proposal Petition sent to HS 01.13.20. 

Sufficiency due 03.13.20. HS sent 

additional questions to petitioner 

03.17.20. Petitioners responses 

sent to HS 5.4.20. Petition found 

sufficient 05.19.20. The HS 

requested TR 06.02.20. Expected 

back in mid-January. TR sent to HS 

2.2.21. TR sufficiency due 4.3.21. 

HS sent additional questions to TR 

contractor 3.16.21.

5.19.20

06.02.20

07.21.20

3.16.21

7.20.21

Fall 2021

Phosphoric acid -

amend annotation

Addendum #1

Addendum #2

205.605(b) KS/AB Proposal 2003 TR

Petition sent to HS 01.28.20. 

Sufficiency due 03.28.20. HS sent 

additional questions to petitioner 

03.17.20. Response sent to HS 

4.6.20. HS sent additional 

questions to petitioner 5.6.20.

Response sent to HS 8.10.20.

Petition found sufficient 9.1.20 

8.3.21 Fall 2021
Other Projects

*Highlight indicates committee action needed. *Highlight indicates review completion and/or vote

2023 Sunset Review: TR Requests (July 2020), Summary (Spr 2021), Review (Fall 2021)

and HS requested a full TR 12.1.20.

TR due ~Jul. 

Zein 205.606 JD Proposal Petition sent to HS 03.20.20. 

Sufficiency due 05.19.20. HS sent 

additional questions to the 

petitioner 06.02.20. Response sent 

to HS 06.16.20. HS found petition 

sufficient 07.07.20 and requested 

a TR. TR sent to HS 01.21.21. TR 

Sufficiency due 03.22.21. TR found 

sufficient 2.2.21. 

6.15.21

7.6.21

Fall 2021

Peroxylactic Acid 

(“PLA”) 

205.605(b) JD TBD Petition sent to HS 04.07.21. 

Petition sufficiency due 6.6.21. 

Petition found sufficient 6.1.21. HS 

requested a TR.

5.18.21

6.1.21

TBD

Substance Contact Notes*

Scheduled,

Discussed, 

Voted

Target

meeting

Fish oil annotation

Proposal

AB Work agenda request 5.13.19. Sent to NOP 7.3.19. 

Approved by NOP 8.6.19. 

7.6.21 Fall 2021

L-Malic acid 

reclassification 

TBD Work agenda request 5.13.19. Sent to NOP 7.3.19. 

Approved by NOP 8.6.19. 

TBD Fall 2021

Research Priorities ALL RPs due to MS 7.20.21. 7.6.21 Fall 2021

Substance National

List Contact TRRequest? Notes*

Scheduled,

Discussed, 

Voted

Target

meeting

Agar-agar 205.605(a) KH N Sunset date: 5.29.23

TR: 2011.

2016/Fall - Rec to Renew

7.6.21 Summary: 

Spr 2021 

Review: 

Fall 2021

Animal enzymes 205.605(a) KH N Sunset date: 5.29.23

TR: 2011 (enzymes); 2015 

(enzymes).

2016/Fall - Rec to Renew

7.6.21 “

Calcium sulfate -

mined

205.605(a) WT N Sunset date: 5.29.23

TR: 2001.

2016/Fall - Rec to Renew

6.1.21 “

Carrageenan 205.605(a) JD/AB N Sunset date: 5.29.23

TR: 2011; 2016.

2016/Fall - Rec to Renew

6.15.21 “
2024 Sunset Review: TR Requests (June 2021), Summary (Spr 2022), Review (Fall 2022)

Glucono deltalactone205.605(a) WT N Sunset date: 5.29.23

TR: 2016.

2016/Fall - Rec to Renew

7.6.21 “

Tartaric acid 205.605(a) SE N Sunset date: 5.29.23

TR: 2011.

2016/Fall - Rec to Renew

7.6.21 “

Cellulose 205.605(b) CD N Sunset date: 11.3.23

TR: 2016.

2016/Fall - Rec to Renew

6.1.21 “

Chlorine materials

(i) Calcium 

hypochlorite.

(ii) Chlorine dioxide.

(iii) Hypochlorous 

acid—generated 

from electrolyzed 

water.

(iv) Sodium 

hypochlorite

205.605(b) AB N Sunset date: 1.28.24

TR: 2015 (Hypochlorous acid).

2016/Spr - Rec to ADD

6.15.21 “

Potassium hydroxide 205.605(b) SE N Sunset date: 5.29.23

TR: 2016.

2016/Fall - Rec to Renew

7.6.21 “

Silicon dioxide 205.605(b) KS N Sunset date: 5.29.23

TR: 2010.

2016/Fall - Rec to Renew

6.15.21 “

Potassium lactate 205.605(b) JD N Sunset date: 1.28.24

TR: 2015 (Lactic acid, sodium 

lactate, and potassium lactate).

2016/Spring - Rec to ADD

7.6.21 “

Sodium lactate 205.605(b) JD N Sunset date: 1.28.24

TR: 2015 (Lactic acid, sodium 

lactate, and potassium lactate).

2016/Spring - Rec to ADD

7.6.21 “

 Substance National List Contact TR

Request? Notes*

Scheduled, 

Discussed, 

Voted

Target 

meeting

Attapulgite 205.605(a) KH N Sunset date: 10.30.24

TR: 2010 TR.

2017/Fall – Rec to Renew

5.18.21

6.1.21

Summary: 

Spr 2022

Review: 

Fall 2022

Bentonite 205.605(a) WT N Sunset date: 10.30.24

TR: 1995 TAP.

2017/Fall – Rec to Renew

5.18.21

6.1.21

“ “

Diatomaceous earth 205.605(a) KH N Sunset date: 10.30.24

TR: 1995 TAP.

2017/Fall – Rec to Renew

5.18.21

6.1.21

“ “
 Milestones 

Magnesium chloride 205.605(a) KS N Sunset date: 11.22.24

TR: 1995 TAP; 2016 TR.

2017/Fall – Rec to Renew

5.18.21

6.1.21

“ “

Nitrogen 205.605(a) KS N Sunset date: 10.30.24

TR: 1995 TAP.

2017/Fall – Rec to Renew

5.18.21

6.1.21

“ “

Sodium carbonate 205.605(a) AB N Sunset date: 10.30.24

TR: 1995 TAP.

2017/Fall – Rec to Renew

5.18.21

6.1.21

“ “

Acidified sodium 

chlorite

205.605(b) CD N Sunset date: 10.30.24

TR: 2008 TAP; 2013 TR 

(livestock).

2017/Fall – Rec to Renew

5.18.21

6.1.21

“ “

Carbon dioxide 205.605(b) CD N Sunset date: 10.30.24

TR: 1995 TAP; 2006 TAP.

2017/Fall – Rec to Renew

5.18.21

6.1.21

“ “

Sodium phosphates 205.605(b) WT N Sunset date: 10.30.24

TR: 2001 TAP; 2016 TR 

(phosphates).

2017/Fall – Rec to Renew

5.18.21

6.1.21

“ “

Casings 205.606(b) JD N Sunset date: 10.30.24

TR: N/A

2017/Fall – Rec to Renew

5.18.21

6.1.21

“ “

Pectin 205.606(p) JD N Sunset date: 10.30.24

TR: 1995 TAP; 2009 TR; 

2010 TR (supplemental); 

2015 Limited Scope TR.

2017/Fall – Rec to REMOVE

5.18.21

6.1.21

“ “

Potassium acid 

tartrate

205.606(q) AB N Sunset date: 05.30.24

TR: 1995 TAP; 2017 TR.

2017/Fall – Rec to Renew

5.18.21

6.1.21

“ “

Fall 2021 Milestones Target dates (tentative)

NOP - Publish FRN, Open public comment Jun 3, 2021

NOSB Request for TRs for 2024 sunset materials Jun 18, 2021

NOP - Draft Fall 2020 NOSB meeting tentative agenda Jul 30, 2021

NOSB - Fall 2021 proposals due to NOP Aug 13, 2021

NOP - Post proposals On or before Sep 1, 2021

Discuss/finalize work agendas on ES call Sep 21, 2021
Public comment closes Sep 30, 2021

NOP - Send compiled public comments to NOSB ~Oct 4, 2021

Public comment webinars Oct 12 & 14, 2021

Fall 2021 NOSB meeting - Sacramento, CA Oct 19 - 21, 2021
Note: Subcommittee notes may include preliminary discussions regarding substances considered for addition to or removal from the National 

List. They do not represent official National Organic Program (NOP) policy/regulations or NOSB recommendations. Proposals must be voted on 

by the full Board, to become recommendations to the USDA. Please see the NOP website for official NOP policy, regulations, and status of 

substances used in organic production and handling.

Handling Subcommittee (HS) Notes 

Tuesday, June 1, 2021 1:00 pm ET

Present: Jerry D’Amore (JD), Chair; Asa Bradman (AB), Vice Chair; Steve Ela (SE); Kyla Smith (KS); Carolyn 

Dimitri (CD); Wood Turner (WT)

Absent: Kim Huseman (KH)

Staff: Michelle Arsenault (MA); Jared Clark (JC)

Agenda

• Review May 18, 2021 notes

• Peroxylactic Acid (“PLA”) (JD) - Petition sufficiency

• 2024 Sunsets - TR requests

• 2023 Sunset: Calcium sulfate - mined (WT) - Discuss review/vote

• 2023 Sunset: Cellulose (CD) - Discuss review/vote

• 2023 Sunset: Chlorine materials (AB) - Discuss review/vote

• 2023 Sunset: Silicon dioxide (KS) - Discuss review/vote

• Additional items

• Adjourn

Discussion

• May 18, 2021 notes were accepted as written. 

• Peroxylactic Acid (“PLA”) (JD). PLA is being petitioned for use as an antibacterial in meat 

products. The group discussed the petition and deemed it sufficient for review and chose to 

request a Technical Report (TR). A member noted that PLA is a sanitizer and suggested the HS 

include specific questions in the TR request. The HS will forward its questions to the NOP. 

• 2024 Sunsets. The Handling Subcommittee determined there was no need to request updated 

TRs for the 2024 sunset substances. See table below.

• 2023 Sunset: Calcium sulfate - mined (WT). The lead summarized the substance and its varied 

uses, noting that it is mined. The HS moved to a vote and voted unanimously to not remove 

calcium sulfate-mined from the National List.

Motion to remove calcium sulfate - mined from the National List at § 205.605(a) 

Motion by: WT

Seconded by: JD 

Yes: 0 No: 6 Abstain: 0 Absent: 1 Recuse: 0 

• 2023 Sunset: Cellulose (CD). The lead circulated a draft review for cellulose and the HS 

discussed it and voted to not remove cellulose from the National List.

Motion to remove cellulose from the National List at § 205.605(a) 

Motion by: KS

Seconded by: JD

Yes: 0 No: 6 Abstain: 0 Absent: 1 Recuse: 0 
• 2023 Sunset: Chlorine materials (AB) - Deferred to next call

• 2023 Sunset: Silicon dioxide (KS) - Deferred to next call

• Additional items. None

• The meeting was adjourned

Previous HS Notes

Future call schedule (1st and 3rd Tuesdays 1:00 ET. except where noted)

May 18, 2021

Assign 2024 Sunsets (for TR determination)

Schedule discussion dates for work agenda items

Peroxylactic Acid (“PLA”) - Assign lead

June 1, 2021

Peroxylactic Acid (“PLA”) (JD) - Petition sufficiency

2024 Sunsets - TR requests

2023 Sunset: Calcium sulfate - mined (WT) - Discuss review/vote

2023 Sunset: Cellulose (CD) - Discuss review/vote

June 15, 2021

Zein (JD) - Discuss proposal

2023 Sunset: Agar-agar (KH) - Discuss review/vote

2023 Sunset: Animal enzymes (KH) - Discuss review/vote

2023 Sunset: Chlorine materials (AB) - Discuss review/vote

2023 Sunset: Silicon dioxide (KS) - Discuss review/vote

2023 Sunset: Carrageenan (JD/AB) - Discuss review/vote

2023 Sunset: Glucono delta-lactone (WT) - Discuss review/vote

July 6, 2021

Research Priorities - Discuss and send to MS

2023 Sunset: Tartaric acid (SE) - Discuss review/vote

2023 Sunset: Potassium hydroxide (SE) - Discuss review/vote

2023 Sunset: Potassium lactate (JD) - Discuss review/vote

2023 Sunset: Sodium lactate (JD) - Discuss review/vote

Fish oil annotation (AB) - Discuss proposal

July 20, 2021

Cetylpyridinium chloride (CPC) (AB/KH) - Discuss proposal (pending receipt of TR addendum)

August 3, 2021

Phosphoric acid - amend annotation (KS/AB) - Discuss proposal (pending receipt of TR)

 August 17, 2021

September 7, 2021

September 21, 2021

October 5, 2021

October 19, 2021

November 2, 2021

November 16, 2021

December 7, 2021

December 21, 2021
Work Agenda

Petitioned Substances: 

Substance National

List Contact DocType Notes*

Scheduled,

Discussed, 

Voted

Target

meeting

Whey protein 

concentrate

(removal from 

205.606)

205.606 SE/AB Proposal Petition sent to HS 12.23.19. 

Sufficiency due 2.29.20. HS sent 

additional questions to petitioner 

02.04.20. Questions revised and 

resent 3.13.20. Response returned 

3.23.20. Sufficiency due ASAP. HS 

found petition sufficient 07.07.20. 

Hold pending completion of Fall 

2020 sunset recommendation

TBD TBD

Cetylpyridinium 

chloride (CPC)

205.605 AB/KH Proposal Petition sent to HS 01.13.20. 

Sufficiency due 03.13.20. HS sent 

additional questions to petitioner 

03.17.20. Petitioners responses 

sent to HS 5.4.20. Petition found 

sufficient 05.19.20. The HS 

requested TR 06.02.20. Expected 

back in mid-January. TR sent to HS 

2.2.21. TR sufficiency due 4.3.21. 

HS sent additional questions to TR 

contractor.

7.20.21 Fall 2021

Phosphoric acid -

amend annotation

Addendum #1

Addendum #2

205.605(b) KS/AB Proposal 2003 TR

Petition sent to HS 01.28.20. 

Sufficiency due 03.28.20. HS sent 

additional questions to petitioner 

03.17.20. Response sent to HS 

4.6.20. HS sent additional 

questions to petitioner 5.6.20.

Response sent to HS 8.10.20.

Petition found sufficient 9.1.20 

and HS requested a full TR 12.1.20. 

TR due ~Jul.

8.3.21 Fall 2021

Zein 205.606 JD Proposal Petition sent to HS 03.20.20. 

Sufficiency due 05.19.20. HS sent 

additional questions to the 

petitioner 06.02.20. Response sent 

to HS 06.16.20. HS found petition 

sufficient 07.07.20 and requested 

a TR. TR sent to HS 01.21.21. TR 

Sufficiency due 03.22.21. TR found 

sufficient 2.2.21. 

6.15.21 Fall 2021

Peroxylactic Acid 

(“PLA”) 

205.605(b) JD TBD Petition sent to HS 04.07.21. 

Petition sufficiency due 6.6.21. 

Petition found sufficient 6.1.21. HS 

requested a TR.

5.18.21

6.1.21

TBD
Other Projects

*Highlight indicates committee action needed. *Highlight indicates review completion and/or vote

2023 Sunset Review: TR Requests (July 2020), Summary (Spr 2021), Review (Fall 2021)

Substance Contact Notes*

Scheduled,

Discussed, 

Voted

Target

meeting

Fish oil annotation

Proposal

AB Work agenda request 5.13.19. Sent to NOP 7.3.19. 

Approved by NOP 8.6.19. 

7.6.21 Fall 2021

L-Malic acid 

reclassification 

TBD Work agenda request 5.13.19. Sent to NOP 7.3.19. 

Approved by NOP 8.6.19. 

TBD TBD

Research Priorities ALL RPs due to MS 7.20.21. 7.6.21 Fall 2021

Substance National

List Contact TRRequest? Notes*

Scheduled,

Discussed, 

Voted

Target

meeting

Agar-agar 205.605(a) KH N Sunset date: 5.29.23

TR: 2011.

2016/Fall - Rec to Renew

6.15.21 Summary: 

Spr 2021 

Review: 

Fall 2021

Animal enzymes 205.605(a) KH N Sunset date: 5.29.23

TR: 2011 (enzymes); 2015 

(enzymes).

2016/Fall - Rec to Renew

6.15.21 “

Calcium sulfate -

mined

205.605(a) WT N Sunset date: 5.29.23

TR: 2001.

2016/Fall - Rec to Renew

6.1.21 “

Carrageenan 205.605(a) JD/AB N Sunset date: 5.29.23

TR: 2011; 2016.

2016/Fall - Rec to Renew

6.15.21 “

Glucono deltalactone205.605(a) WT N Sunset date: 5.29.23

TR: 2016.

2016/Fall - Rec to Renew

6.15.21 “

Tartaric acid 205.605(a) SE N Sunset date: 5.29.23

TR: 2011.

2016/Fall - Rec to Renew

7.6.21 “

Cellulose 205.605(b) CD N Sunset date: 11.3.23

TR: 2016.

2016/Fall - Rec to Renew

6.1.21 “

Chlorine materials

(i) Calcium 

hypochlorite.

(ii) Chlorine dioxide.

(iii) Hypochlorous 

acid—generated 

from electrolyzed 

water.

205.605(b) AB N Sunset date: 1.28.24

TR: 2015 (Hypochlorous acid).

2016/Spr - Rec to ADD

6.15.21 “
2024 Sunset Review: TR Requests (June 2021), Summary (Spr 2022), Review (Fall 2022)

(iv) Sodium 

hypochlorite

Potassium hydroxide 205.605(b) SE N Sunset date: 5.29.23

TR: 2016.

2016/Fall - Rec to Renew

7.6.21 “

Silicon dioxide 205.605(b) KS N Sunset date: 5.29.23

TR: 2010.

2016/Fall - Rec to Renew

6.15.21 “

Potassium lactate 205.605(b) JD N Sunset date: 1.28.24

TR: 2015 (Lactic acid, sodium 

lactate, and potassium lactate).

2016/Spring - Rec to ADD

7.6.21 “

Sodium lactate 205.605(b) JD N Sunset date: 1.28.24

TR: 2015 (Lactic acid, sodium 

lactate, and potassium lactate).

2016/Spring - Rec to ADD

7.6.21 “

 Substance National List Contact TR

Request? Notes*

Scheduled, 

Discussed, 

Voted

Target 

meeting

Attapulgite 205.605(a) KH N Sunset date: 10.30.24

TR: 2010 TR.

2017/Fall – Rec to Renew

5.18.21

6.1.21

Summary: 

Spr 2022

Review: 

Fall 2022

Bentonite 205.605(a) WT N Sunset date: 10.30.24

TR: 1995 TAP.

2017/Fall – Rec to Renew

5.18.21

6.1.21

“ “

Diatomaceous earth 205.605(a) KH N Sunset date: 10.30.24

TR: 1995 TAP.

2017/Fall – Rec to Renew

5.18.21

6.1.21

“ “

Magnesium chloride 205.605(a) KS N Sunset date: 11.22.24

TR: 1995 TAP; 2016 TR.

2017/Fall – Rec to Renew

5.18.21

6.1.21

“ “

Nitrogen 205.605(a) KS N Sunset date: 10.30.24

TR: 1995 TAP.

2017/Fall – Rec to Renew

5.18.21

6.1.21

“ “

Sodium carbonate 205.605(a) AB N Sunset date: 10.30.24

TR: 1995 TAP.

2017/Fall – Rec to Renew

5.18.21

6.1.21

“ “

Acidified sodium 

chlorite

205.605(b) CD N Sunset date: 10.30.24

TR: 2008 TAP; 2013 TR 

(livestock).

2017/Fall – Rec to Renew

5.18.21

6.1.21

“ “
 Milestones 

Carbon dioxide 205.605(b) CD N Sunset date: 10.30.24

TR: 1995 TAP; 2006 TAP.

2017/Fall – Rec to Renew

5.18.21

6.1.21

“ “

Sodium phosphates 205.605(b) WT N Sunset date: 10.30.24

TR: 2001 TAP; 2016 TR 

(phosphates).

2017/Fall – Rec to Renew

5.18.21

6.1.21

“ “

Casings 205.606(b) JD N Sunset date: 10.30.24

TR: N/A

2017/Fall – Rec to Renew

5.18.21

6.1.21

“ “

Pectin 205.606(p) JD N Sunset date: 10.30.24

TR: 1995 TAP; 2009 TR; 

2010 TR (supplemental); 

2015 Limited Scope TR.

2017/Fall – Rec to REMOVE

5.18.21

6.1.21

“ “

Potassium acid 

tartrate

205.606(q) AB N Sunset date: 05.30.24

TR: 1995 TAP; 2017 TR.

2017/Fall – Rec to Renew

5.18.21

6.1.21

“ “

Fall 2021 Milestones Target dates (tentative)

NOP - Publish FRN, Open public comment ~May 14, 2021

NOSB Request for TRs for 2024 sunset materials Jun 18, 2021

NOP - Draft Fall 2020 NOSB meeting tentative agenda Jul 30, 2021

NOSB - Fall 2021 proposals due to NOP Aug 13, 2021

NOP - Post proposals On or before Sep 1, 2021

Discuss/finalize work agendas on ES call Sep 21, 2021

Public comment closes Sep 30, 2021

NOP - Send compiled public comments to NOSB ~Oct 4, 2021

Public comment webinars Oct 12 & 14, 2021

Fall 2021 NOSB meeting - Sacramento, CA Oct 19 - 21, 2021
Note: Subcommittee notes may include preliminary discussions regarding substances considered for addition to or removal from the National 

List. They do not represent official National Organic Program (NOP) policy/regulations or NOSB recommendations. Proposals must be voted on 

by the full Board, to become recommendations to the USDA. Please see the NOP website for official NOP policy, regulations, and status of 

substances used in organic production and handling.

Handling Subcommittee (HS) Notes 

Tuesday, May 18, 2021 1:00 pm ET

Present: Jerry D’Amore (JD), Chair; Asa Bradman (AB), Vice Chair; Steve Ela (SE); Kim Huseman (KH); Kyla

Smith (KS); Carolyn Dimitri (CD); Wood Turner (WT); Mindee Jeffery (MJ) - observer

Absent: None

Staff: Michelle Arsenault (MA); Jared Clark (JC)

Agenda

• Review April 6, 2021 notes

• Debrief from April 2021 NOSB Meeting

• Assign 2024 Sunsets (for TR determination)

• Schedule discussions for work agenda items

• Peroxylactic Acid (“PLA”) - Assign lead

• Additional items

• Adjourn

 Discussion

• April 6, 2021 notes were accepted as written.

• Debrief from April 2021 NOSB Meeting

o The ion exchange filtration proposal was passed at the April NOSB meeting and 

removed from the table below.

o Members discussed the topic of sanitizers noting that it is still not clear how to move

forward. At this time, sanitizers are still being reviewed as independent substances on 

the National List and given the complexity it may be challenging to develop an 

overarching policy for reviewing sanitizers as a group. A member reminded the group

that there are currently two sanitizers under review. The group also discussed the idea 

of having a separate section on the NL for sanitizers, as some international regulations 

do, but it’s not clear how that would aid the review process. A member suggested the 

need to couple a practice standard with the substance list and highlighted other 

sections of the Organic Regulations as a model. 

• Assign 2024 Sunsets (for TR determination). See table below for assignments. Members will 

review the 2024 sunsets to determine the need for a TR.

• Schedule discussions for work agenda items. See tables below.

• Peroxylactic Acid (“PLA”). JD volunteered to lead the review for PLA. The HS will complete 

petition sufficiency on the June 1 call.

• Additional items. 

o The HS will retain two work agenda items, BPA and NVM, already listed in the “on hold” 

section on the work agenda spreadsheet, and will remove them from the table below. . 

• The meeting was adjourned

Previous HS Notes

Future call schedule (1st and 3rd Tuesdays 1:00 ET. except where noted)

May 4, 2021 - May cancel

May 18, 2021

Assign 2024 Sunsets (for TR determination)

Schedule discussion dates for work agenda items
Peroxylactic Acid (“PLA”) - Assign lead

June 1, 2021

Peroxylactic Acid (“PLA”) (JD) - Petition sufficiency

2024 Sunsets - TR requests

2023 Sunset: Agar-agar (KH) - Discuss review/vote

2023 Sunset: Animal enzymes (KH) - Discuss review/vote

2023 Sunset: Calcium sulfate - mined (WT) - Discuss review/vote

2023 Sunset: Cellulose (CD) - Discuss review/vote

2023 Sunset: Chlorine materials (AB) - Discuss review/vote

2023 Sunset: Silicon dioxide (KS) - Discuss review/vote

June 15, 2021

Zein (JD) - Discuss proposal

2023 Sunset: Carrageenan (JD/AB) - Discuss review/vote

2023 Sunset: Glucono delta-lactone (WT) - Discuss review/vote

2023 Sunset: Tartaric acid (SE) - Discuss review/vote

2023 Sunset: Potassium hydroxide (SE) - Discuss review/vote

July 6, 2021

Research Priorities - Discuss and send to MS

Fish oil annotation (AB) - Discuss proposal

2023 Sunset: Potassium lactate (JD) - Discuss review/vote

2023 Sunset: Sodium lactate (JD) - Discuss review/vote

July 20, 2021

Cetylpyridinium chloride (CPC) (AB/KH) - Discuss proposal (pending receipt of TR addendum)

August 3, 2021

Phosphoric acid - amend annotation (KS/AB) - Discuss proposal (pending receipt of TR)

 August 17, 2021

September 7, 2021

September 21, 2021

October 5, 2021

October 19, 2021

November 2, 2021

November 16, 2021

December 7, 2021

December 21, 2021

Work Agenda

Petitioned Substances: 

Substance National

List Contact DocType Notes*

Scheduled,

Discussed, 

Voted

Target

meeting

Whey protein 

concentrate

(removal from 

205.606)

205.606 SE/AB Proposal Petition sent to HS 12.23.19. 

Sufficiency due 2.29.20. HS sent 

additional questions to petitioner 

02.04.20. Questions revised and 

resent 3.13.20. Response returned 

3.23.20. Sufficiency due ASAP. HS 

found petition sufficient 07.07.20. 

Hold pending completion of Fall 

2020 sunset recommendation

TBD TBD
Other Projects

Cetylpyridinium 

chloride (CPC)

205.605 AB/KH Proposal Petition sent to HS 01.13.20. 

Sufficiency due 03.13.20. HS sent 

additional questions to petitioner 

03.17.20. Petitioners responses 

sent to HS 5.4.20. Petition found 

sufficient 05.19.20. The HS 

requested TR 06.02.20. Expected 

back in mid-January. TR sent to HS 

2.2.21. TR sufficiency due 4.3.21. 

HS sent additional questions to TR 

contractor.

7.20.21 Fall 2021

Phosphoric acid -

amend annotation

Addendum #1

Addendum #2

205.605(b) KS/AB Proposal 2003 TR

Petition sent to HS 01.28.20. 

Sufficiency due 03.28.20. HS sent 

additional questions to petitioner 

03.17.20. Response sent to HS 

4.6.20. HS sent additional 

questions to petitioner 5.6.20.

Response sent to HS 8.10.20.

Petition found sufficient 9.1.20 

and HS requested a full TR 12.1.20. 

TR due ~Jul.

8.3.21 Fall 2021

Zein 205.606 JD Proposal Petition sent to HS 03.20.20. 

Sufficiency due 05.19.20. HS sent 

additional questions to the 

petitioner 06.02.20. Response sent 

to HS 06.16.20. HS found petition 

sufficient 07.07.20 and requested 

a TR. TR sent to HS 01.21.21. TR 

Sufficiency due 03.22.21. TR found 

sufficient 2.2.21. 

6.15.21 Fall 2021

Peroxylactic Acid 

(“PLA”) 

205.605(b) JD TBD Petition sent to HS 04.07.21. 

Petition sufficiency due 6.6.21. 

5.18.21

6.1.21

TBD

Substance Contact Notes*

Scheduled,

Discussed, 

Voted

Target

meeting

Fish oil annotation

Proposal

AB Work agenda request 5.13.19. Sent to NOP 7.3.19. 

Approved by NOP 8.6.19. 

7.6.21 Fall 2021

L-Malic acid 

reclassification

TBD Work agenda request 5.13.19. Sent to NOP 7.3.19. 

Approved by NOP 8.6.19. 

TBD TBD

Research Priorities ALL RPs due to MS 7.20.21. 7.6.21 Fall 2021

Packaging 

substances used in 

organic food 

handling - including 

BPA

AB Submitted briefing paper to NOP 1.12.14. Response 

memo from NOP sent to HS 11.19.14. TR in 

development, expected mid-Sep -delayed. TR received 

9.30.16. In review by the program. TR sent to HS 

10.19.16. TR sufficiency due 12.20.16. TR found 

insufficient 12.20.16. Vote: 2.21.17. New TR in 

development. Expected July 2017. TR received 7.10.17. 

TBD Discussion 

doc

On hold
*Highlight indicates committee action needed. *Highlight indicates review completion and/or vote

2023 Sunset Review: TR Requests (July 2020), Summary (Spr 2021), Review (Fall 2021)

Response due 09.8.17. TR found sufficient 8.1.17. ON 

HOLD. 

Nutrient Vitamins 

and Minerals - 

annotation change

TBD 2011 NOSB recommendation DHA

2011 NOSB recommendation ARA

Pending NOP Approval. Approved for addition to the 

work agenda 1.12.16. ON HOLD pending NOP action.

TBD TBD

Substance National

List Contact TRRequest? Notes*

Scheduled,

Discussed, 

Voted

Target

meeting

Agar-agar 205.605(a) KH N Sunset date: 5.29.23

TR: 2011.

2016/Fall - Rec to Renew

6.1.21 Summary: 

Spr 2021 

Review: 

Fall 2021

Animal enzymes 205.605(a) KH N Sunset date: 5.29.23

TR: 2011 (enzymes); 2015 

(enzymes).

2016/Fall - Rec to Renew

6.1.21 “

Calcium sulfate -

mined

205.605(a) WT N Sunset date: 5.29.23

TR: 2001.

2016/Fall - Rec to Renew

6.1.21 “

Carrageenan 205.605(a) JD/AB N Sunset date: 5.29.23

TR: 2011; 2016.

2016/Fall - Rec to Renew

6.15.21 “

Glucono deltalactone205.605(a) WT N Sunset date: 5.29.23

TR: 2016.

2016/Fall - Rec to Renew

6.15.21 “

Tartaric acid 205.605(a) SE N Sunset date: 5.29.23

TR: 2011.

2016/Fall - Rec to Renew

6.15.21 “

Cellulose 205.605(b) CD N Sunset date: 11.3.23

TR: 2016.

2016/Fall - Rec to Renew

6.1.21 “

Chlorine materials

(i) Calcium 

hypochlorite.

(ii) Chlorine dioxide.

(iii) Hypochlorous 

acid—generated 

from electrolyzed 

water.

(iv) Sodium 

hypochlorite

205.605(b) AB N Sunset date: 1.28.24

TR: 2015 (Hypochlorous acid).

2016/Spr - Rec to ADD

6.1.21 “
2024 Sunset Review: TR Requests (June 2021), Summary (Spr 2022), Review (Fall 2022)

Potassium hydroxide 205.605(b) SE N Sunset date: 5.29.23

TR: 2016.

2016/Fall - Rec to Renew

6.15.21 “

Silicon dioxide 205.605(b) KS N Sunset date: 5.29.23

TR: 2010.

2016/Fall - Rec to Renew

6.1.21 “

Potassium lactate 205.605(b) JD N Sunset date: 1.28.24

TR: 2015 (Lactic acid, sodium 

lactate, and potassium lactate).

2016/Spring - Rec to ADD

7.6.21 “

Sodium lactate 205.605(b) JD N Sunset date: 1.28.24

TR: 2015 (Lactic acid, sodium 

lactate, and potassium lactate).

2016/Spring - Rec to ADD

7.6.21 “

 Substance National List Contact TR

Request? Notes*

Scheduled, 

Discussed, Voted

Target 

meeting

Attapulgite 205.605(a) KH Sunset date: 10.30.24

TR: 2010 TR.

2017/Fall – Rec to Renew

5.18.21

6.1.21

Summary: 

Spr 2022

Review: 

Fall 2022

Bentonite 205.605(a) WT Sunset date: 10.30.24

TR: 1995 TAP.

2017/Fall – Rec to Renew

5.18.21

6.1.21

“ “

Diatomaceous earth 205.605(a) KH Sunset date: 10.30.24

TR: 1995 TAP.

2017/Fall – Rec to Renew

5.18.21

6.1.21

“ “

Magnesium chloride 205.605(a) KS Sunset date: 11.22.24

TR: 1995 TAP; 2016 TR.

2017/Fall – Rec to Renew

5.18.21

6.1.21

“ “

Nitrogen 205.605(a) KS Sunset date: 10.30.24

TR: 1995 TAP.

2017/Fall – Rec to Renew

5.18.21

6.1.21

“ “

Sodium carbonate 205.605(a) AB Sunset date: 10.30.24

TR: 1995 TAP.

2017/Fall – Rec to Renew

5.18.21

6.1.21

“ “

Acidified sodium 

chlorite

205.605(b) CD Sunset date: 10.30.24

TR: 2008 TAP; 2013 TR 

(livestock).

2017/Fall – Rec to Renew

5.18.21

6.1.21

“ “

Carbon dioxide 205.605(b) CD Sunset date: 10.30.24

TR: 1995 TAP; 2006 TAP.

2017/Fall – Rec to Renew

5.18.21

6.1.21

“ “
 Milestones 

Sodium phosphates 205.605(b) WT Sunset date: 10.30.24

TR: 2001 TAP; 2016 TR 

(phosphates).

2017/Fall – Rec to Renew

5.18.21

6.1.21

“ “

Casings 205.606(b) JD Sunset date: 10.30.24

TR: N/A

2017/Fall – Rec to Renew

5.18.21

6.1.21

“ “

Pectin 205.606(p) JD Sunset date: 10.30.24

TR: 1995 TAP; 2009 TR; 

2010 TR (supplemental); 

2015 Limited Scope TR.

2017/Fall – Rec to REMOVE

5.18.21

6.1.21

“ “

Potassium acid 

tartrate

205.606(q) AB Sunset date: 05.30.24

TR: 1995 TAP; 2017 TR.

2017/Fall – Rec to Renew

5.18.21

6.1.21

“ “

Fall 2021 Milestones Target dates (tentative)

NOP - Publish FRN, Open public comment ~May 14, 2021

NOSB Request for TRs for 2024 sunset materials Jun 18, 2021

NOP - Draft Fall 2020 NOSB meeting tentative agenda Jul 30, 2021

NOSB - Fall 2021 proposals due to NOP Aug 13, 2021

NOP - Post proposals On or before Sep 1, 2021

Discuss/finalize work agendas on ES call Sep 21, 2021

Public comment closes Sep 30, 2021

NOP - Send compiled public comments to NOSB ~Oct 4, 2021

Public comment webinars Oct 12 & 14, 2021

Fall 2021 NOSB meeting - Sacramento, CA Oct 19 - 21, 2021
Note: Subcommittee notes may include preliminary discussions regarding substances considered for addition to or removal from the National 

List. They do not represent official National Organic Program (NOP) policy/regulations or NOSB recommendations. Proposals must be voted on 

by the full Board, to become recommendations to the USDA. Please see the NOP website for official NOP policy, regulations, and status of 

substances used in organic production and handling.

Handling Subcommittee (HS) Notes 

Tuesday, April 6, 2021 1:00 pm ET

Present: Jerry D’Amore (JD), Chair; Asa Bradman (AB), Vice Chair; Steve Ela (SE); Kim Huseman (KH); Kyla 

Smith (KS); Carolyn Dimitri (CD)

Absent: Wood Turner (WT)

Staff: Michelle Arsenault (MA); Jared Clark (JC)

Agenda

• Review March 16, 2021 notes

• Review Public Comments

• Prep for April meeting

• Additional items

• Adjourn

Discussion

• March 16, 2021 notes were accepted as written.

• Review Public Comments. 

o There were more than 800 written public comments submitted to the docket for the 

April meeting that are available in Regulations.gov. 

• Prep for April meeting. 

o The NOSB Chair provided some tips for reviewing and analyzing comments for the 

upcoming NOSB meeting. 

o The group discussed the process for voting at the NOSB meetings. 

• Additional items. 

o The Handling Subcommittee sent additional questions to the TR contractor for CPC.

o The NOP received a new petition for Handling and will forward it as soon as it is ready

o The HS will likely cancel the May 4 call. 

o “Coffee with the Board” will be scheduled in place of the May 4 calls. This is an 

opportunity for the public to ask questions about the NOSB nominations and what it’s 

like to be on the NOSB.

• The meeting was adjourned.

Previous HS Notes

Future call schedule (1st and 3rd Tuesdays 1:00 ET. except where noted)

March 16, 2021

Cetylpyridinium chloride (CPC) (AB/KH) - TR sufficiency

April 6, 2021

Review Public Comments

Prep for April meeting

May 4, 2021 - May cancel

May 18, 2021

Assign 2024 Sunsets (for TR determination)

Schedule discussions for work agenda items

Phosphoric acid (AB) - TR Sufficiency (if available)

June 1, 2021
2024 Sunsets - TR requests

June 15, 2021

July 6, 2021

Research Priorities - discuss and send to MS

July 20, 2021

August 3, 2021

August 17, 2021

September 7, 2021

September 21, 2021

October 5, 2021

October 19, 2021

November 2, 2021

November 16, 2021

December 7, 2021

December 21, 2021

Work Agenda

Petitioned Substances: 

Substance National

List Contact DocType Notes*

Scheduled,

Discussed, 

Voted

Target

meeting

Whey protein 

concentrate

(removal from 

205.606)

205.606 SE/AB Proposal Petition sent to HS 12.23.19. 

Sufficiency due 2.29.20. HS sent 

additional questions to 

petitioner 02.04.20. Questions 

revised and resent 3.13.20. 

Response returned 3.23.20. 

Sufficiency due ASAP. HS found 

petition sufficient 07.07.20. Hold 

pending completion of Fall 2020 

sunset recommendation

TBD TBD

Cetylpyridinium 

chloride (CPC)

205.605 AB/KH Proposal Petition sent to HS 01.13.20. 

Sufficiency due 03.13.20. HS 

sent additional questions to 

petitioner 03.17.20. Petitioners 

responses sent to HS 5.4.20. 

Petition found sufficient 

05.19.20. The HS requested TR 

06.02.20. Expected back in midJanuary. TR sent to HS 2.2.21. TR 

sufficiency due 4.3.21. HS sent

additional questions to TR 

contractor.

5.19.20

06.02.20

07.21.20

3.16.21

Fall

2021

Phosphoric acid -

amend annotation

Addendum #1

Addendum #2

205.605(b) AB Proposal 2003 TR

Petition sent to HS 01.28.20. 

Sufficiency due 03.28.20. HS 

sent additional questions to 

petitioner 03.17.20. Response 

sent to HS 4.6.20. HS sent

additional questions to 

petitioner 5.6.20. Response sent 

to HS 8.10.20. Petition found 

05.05.20

09.01.20

12.1.20

12.15.20

5.18.21

Fall 

2021
Other Projects

*Highlight indicates committee action needed. *Highlight indicates review completion and/or vote

sufficient 9.1.20 and HS 

requested a full TR 12.1.20. TR 

due ~Aug.

Zein 205.606 JD Disc doc Petition sent to HS 03.20.20. 

Sufficiency due 05.19.20. HS sent 

additional questions to the 

petitioner 06.02.20. Response 

sent to HS 06.16.20. HS found 

petition sufficient 07.07.20 and 

requested a TR. TR sent to HS 

01.21.21. TR Sufficiency due 

03.22.21. TR found sufficient 

2.2.21. 

05.19.20

07.07.20

07.21.20

2.2.21

2.16.21

Spr 

2021

Substance Contact Notes*

Scheduled,

Discussed, 

Voted

Target

meeting

Fish oil annotation

Discussion doc

AB Work agenda request 5.13.19. Sent to NOP 7.3.19. 

Approved by NOP 8.6.19. 

2.16.21 Spr 2021

L-Malic acid 

reclassification

SR Work agenda request 5.13.19. Sent to NOP 7.3.19. 

Approved by NOP 8.6.19. 

TBD Fall 2021

Ion exchange 

filtration proposal

SE NOP memo sent to NOSB 8.27.19. TR requested 9.3.19. 

TR due in ~ mid-January 2020. TR sent to HS 03.11.20. TR 

suff due 05.10.20. HS sent additional questions to TR 

contractor 6/9/2020. Response to questions sent to HS 

07.24.20. TR was found sufficient 08.04.20. 

1.19.21

2.2.21

2.16.21

Spr 2021

Research Priorities ALL RPs due to MS 01.19.21. 1.5.21

1.19.21

7.6.21

Spr 2021

Packaging 

substances used in 

organic food 

handling - including 

BPA

AB Submitted briefing paper to NOP 1.12.14. Response 

memo from NOP sent to HS 11.19.14. TR in 

development, expected mid-Sep -delayed. TR received 

9.30.16. In review by the program. TR sent to HS 

10.19.16. TR sufficiency due 12.20.16. TR found 

insufficient 12.20.16. Vote: 2.21.17. New TR in 

development. Expected July 2017. TR received 7.10.17. 

Response due 09.8.17. TR found sufficient 8.1.17. ON 

HOLD. 

TBD Discussion 

doc

On hold

Nutrient Vitamins 

and Minerals - 

annotation change

? 2011 NOSB recommendation DHA

2011 NOSB recommendation ARA

Pending NOP Approval. Approved for addition to the 

work agenda 1.12.16. ON HOLD pending NOP action.

TBD TBD
2023 Sunset Review: TR Requests (July 2020), Summary (Spr 2021), Review (Fall 2021)

Substance National

List Contact TRRequest? Notes*

Scheduled,

Discussed, 

Voted

Target

meeting

Agar-agar 205.605(a) KH N Sunset date: 5.29.23

TR: 2011.

2016/Fall - Rec to Renew

1.19.21 Summary: 

Spr 2021 

Review: 

Fall 2021

Animal enzymes 205.605(a) KH N Sunset date: 5.29.23

TR: 2011 (enzymes); 2015 

(enzymes).

2016/Fall - Rec to Renew

2.2.21 “

Calcium sulfate -

mined

205.605(a) WT N Sunset date: 5.29.23

TR: 2001.

2016/Fall - Rec to Renew

1.19.21 “

Carrageenan 205.605(a) JD/AB N Sunset date: 5.29.23

TR: 2011; 2016.

2016/Fall - Rec to Renew

2.2.21 “

Glucono deltalactone205.605(a) WT/ARB N Sunset date: 5.29.23

TR: 2016.

2016/Fall - Rec to Renew

2.16.21 “

Tartaric acid 205.605(a) SE N Sunset date: 5.29.23

TR: 2011.

2016/Fall - Rec to Renew

12.15.20 “

Cellulose 205.605(b) CD N Sunset date: 11.3.23

TR: 2016.

2016/Fall - Rec to Renew

12.15.20 “

Chlorine materials

(i) Calcium 

hypochlorite.

(ii) Chlorine dioxide.

(iii) Hypochlorous 

acid—generated 

from electrolyzed 

water.

(iv) Sodium 

hypochlorite

205.605(b) AB N Sunset date: 1.28.24

TR: 2015 (Hypochlorous acid).

2016/Spr - Rec to ADD

1.19.21

2.2.21

Potassium hydroxide 205.605(b) SE N Sunset date: 5.29.23

TR: 2016.

2016/Fall - Rec to Renew

12.15.20 “

Silicon dioxide 205.605(b) KS N Sunset date: 5.29.23

TR: 2010.

2016/Fall - Rec to Renew

1.5.21 “

Potassium lactate 205.605(b) JD N Sunset date: 1.28.24

TR: 2015 (Lactic acid, sodium 

lactate, and potassium lactate).

2016/Spring - Rec to ADD

12.1.20 “
2024 Sunset Review: TR Requests (June 2021), Summary (Spr 2022), Review (Fall 2022)

Sodium lactate 205.605(b) JD N Sunset date: 1.28.24

TR: 2015 (Lactic acid, sodium 

lactate, and potassium lactate).

2016/Spring - Rec to ADD

12.1.20 “

Substance National List Contact TR

Request? Notes*

Scheduled, 

Discussed, 

Voted

Target 

meeting

Attapulgite 205.605(a) Sunset date: 10.30.24

TR: 2010 TR.

2017/Fall – Rec to Renew

5.18.21 Summary: 

Spr 2022

Review: 

Fall 2022

Bentonite 205.605(a) Sunset date: 10.30.24

TR: 1995 TAP.

2017/Fall – Rec to Renew

5.18.21 “ “

Diatomaceous earth 205.605(a) Sunset date: 10.30.24

TR: 1995 TAP.

2017/Fall – Rec to Renew

5.18.21 “ “

Magnesium chloride 205.605(a) Sunset date: 11.22.24

TR: 1995 TAP; 2016 TR.

2017/Fall – Rec to Renew

5.18.21 “ “

Nitrogen 205.605(a) Sunset date: 10.30.24

TR: 1995 TAP.

2017/Fall – Rec to Renew

5.18.21 “ “

Sodium carbonate 205.605(a) Sunset date: 10.30.24

TR: 1995 TAP.

2017/Fall – Rec to Renew

5.18.21 “ “

Acidified sodium 

chlorite

205.605(b) Sunset date: 10.30.24

TR: 2008 TAP; 2013 TR 

(livestock).

2017/Fall – Rec to Renew

5.18.21 “ “

Carbon dioxide 205.605(b) Sunset date: 10.30.24

TR: 1995 TAP; 2006 TAP.

2017/Fall – Rec to Renew

5.18.21 “ “

Sodium phosphates 205.605(b) Sunset date: 10.30.24

TR: 2001 TAP; 2016 TR 

(phosphates).

2017/Fall – Rec to Renew

5.18.21 “ “

Casings 205.606(b) Sunset date: 10.30.24

TR: N/A

2017/Fall – Rec to Renew

5.18.21 “ “

Pectin 205.606(p) Sunset date: 10.30.24

TR: 1995 TAP; 2009 TR; 

2010 TR (supplemental); 

2015 Limited Scope TR.

2017/Fall – Rec to REMOVE

5.18.21 “ “
Milestones

Potassium acid 

tartrate

205.606(q) Sunset date: 05.30.24

TR: 1995 TAP; 2017 TR.

2017/Fall – Rec to Renew

5.18.21 “ “

Spring 2021 Milestones Target dates (tentative)

NOP - Publish FRN, Open public comment Feb 18, 2021

NOSB - Spring 2021 proposals due to NOP Feb 18, 2021

New NOSB member training Feb 3 - 5, 2021

NOP - Draft Spring 2021 NOSB meeting tentative agenda Feb 2, 2021

NOP - Post proposals Mar 3, 2021

Public comment closes Apr 5, 2021

NOP - Send compiled public comments to NOSB Apr 6, 2021

Public comment webinars Apr 20 & 22, 2021

Spring 2021 NOSB meeting - Virtual Apr 28 - 30, 2021
Note: Subcommittee notes may include preliminary discussions regarding substances considered for addition to or removal from the National 

List. They do not represent official National Organic Program (NOP) policy/regulations or NOSB recommendations. Proposals must be voted on 

by the full Board, to become recommendations to the USDA. Please see the NOP website for official NOP policy, regulations, and status of 

substances used in organic production and handling.

Handling Subcommittee (HS) Notes 

Tuesday, March 16, 2021 1:30 pm ET

Present: Jerry D’Amore (JD), Chair; Asa Bradman (AB), Vice Chair; Steve Ela (SE); Kim Huseman (KH); Kyla 

Smith (KS); Carolyn Dimitri (CD); Wood Turner (WT)

Absent: None

Staff: Michelle Arsenault (MA); Jared Clark (JC)

Agenda

• Review February 16, 2021 notes

• Cetylpyridinium chloride (CPC) (AB/KH) - TR sufficiency

• Additional items

• Adjourn

Discussion

• February 16, 2021 notes were accepted as written.

• Cetylpyridinium chloride (CPC) (AB/KH). The group discussed the TR, which they found not 

sufficient at this time. The Handling Subcommittee noted that there was not much information 

relating to the use of CPC in poultry, there was no information about environmental fate, which 

isn’t a specific question included in the TR template, and the document was not well organized. 

The HS will compile a list of items they would like revised and send that to the NOP to forward 

to the TR contractor. The group also discussed the need for this material in the organic poultry 

industry. 

• Additional items. The Materials Subcommittee may work on revising the TR templates to align 

them with the proposal template and to the other TR templates.

• The meeting was adjourned.

Previous HS Notes

Future call schedule (1st and 3rd Tuesdays 1:00 ET. except where noted)

February 16, 2021

2023 Sunset: Glucono delta-lactone (JD for WT) - Discuss review

Zein (JD) - Discuss petition discussion doc/vote 

Ion exchange filtration proposal (SE/SR) - Discuss proposal/vote

Fish oil annotation proposal (AB) - Discuss/vote

March 2, 2021 - cancelled

March 16, 2021

Cetylpyridinium chloride (CPC) (AB/KH) - TR sufficiency

April 6, 2021

Review Public Comments

Prep for April meeting

May 4, 2021

May 18, 2021

Assign 2024 Sunsets (for TR determination)

Schedule discussions for work agenda items

Phosphoric acid (AB) - TR Sufficiency (if available)

June 1, 2021

2024 Sunsets - TR requests
June 15, 2021

July 6, 2021

Research Priorities - discuss and send to MS

July 20, 2021

August 3, 2021

August 17, 2021

September 7, 2021

September 21, 2021

October 5, 2021

October 19, 2021

November 2, 2021

November 16, 2021

December 7, 2021

December 21, 2021

Work Agenda

Petitioned Substances: 

Substance National

List Contact DocType Notes*

Scheduled,

Discussed, 

Voted

Target

meeting

Whey protein 

concentrate

(removal from 

205.606)

205.606 SE/AB Proposal Petition sent to HS 12.23.19. 

Sufficiency due 2.29.20. HS sent 

additional questions to 

petitioner 02.04.20. Questions 

revised and resent 3.13.20. 

Response returned 3.23.20. 

Sufficiency due ASAP. HS found 

petition sufficient 07.07.20. Hold 

pending completion of Fall 2020 

sunset recommendation

TBD TBD

Cetylpyridinium 

chloride (CPC)

205.605 AB/KH Proposal Petition sent to HS 01.13.20. 

Sufficiency due 03.13.20. HS 

sent additional questions to 

petitioner 03.17.20. Petitioners 

responses sent to HS 5.4.20. 

Petition found sufficient 

05.19.20. The HS requested TR 

06.02.20. Expected back in midJanuary. TR sent to HS 2.2.21. TR 

sufficiency due 4.3.21. HS will

send additional questions to TR 

contractor.

5.19.20

06.02.20

07.21.20

3.16.21

Fall

2021

Phosphoric acid -

amend annotation

Addendum #1

Addendum #2

205.605(b) AB Proposal 2003 TR

Petition sent to HS 01.28.20. 

Sufficiency due 03.28.20. HS 

sent additional questions to 

petitioner 03.17.20. Response 

sent to HS 4.6.20. HS sent

additional questions to 

petitioner 5.6.20. Response sent 

to HS 8.10.20. Petition found 

05.05.20

09.01.20

12.1.20

12.15.20

5.18.21

Fall 

2021
Other Projects

*Highlight indicates committee action needed. *Highlight indicates review completion and/or vote

sufficient 9.1.20 and HS 

requested a full TR 12.1.20. TR 

due ~Aug.

Zein 205.606 JD Disc doc Petition sent to HS 03.20.20. 

Sufficiency due 05.19.20. HS sent 

additional questions to the 

petitioner 06.02.20. Response 

sent to HS 06.16.20. HS found 

petition sufficient 07.07.20 and 

requested a TR. TR sent to HS 

01.21.21. TR Sufficiency due 

03.22.21. TR found sufficient 

2.2.21. 

05.19.20

07.07.20

07.21.20

2.2.21

2.16.21

Spr 

2021

Substance Contact Notes*

Scheduled,

Discussed, 

Voted

Target

meeting

Fish oil annotation

Discussion doc

AB Work agenda request 5.13.19. Sent to NOP 7.3.19. 

Approved by NOP 8.6.19. 

2.16.21 Spr 2021

L-Malic acid 

reclassification

SR Work agenda request 5.13.19. Sent to NOP 7.3.19. 

Approved by NOP 8.6.19. 

TBD Fall 2021

Ion exchange 

filtration proposal

SE NOP memo sent to NOSB 8.27.19. TR requested 9.3.19. 

TR due in ~ mid-January 2020. TR sent to HS 03.11.20. TR 

suff due 05.10.20. HS sent additional questions to TR 

contractor 6/9/2020. Response to questions sent to HS 

07.24.20. TR was found sufficient 08.04.20. 

1.19.21

2.2.21

2.16.21

Spr 2021

Research Priorities ALL RPs due to MS 01.19.21. 1.5.21

1.19.21

7.6.21

Spr 2021

Packaging 

substances used in 

organic food 

handling - including 

BPA

AB Submitted briefing paper to NOP 1.12.14. Response 

memo from NOP sent to HS 11.19.14. TR in 

development, expected mid-Sep -delayed. TR received 

9.30.16. In review by the program. TR sent to HS 

10.19.16. TR sufficiency due 12.20.16. TR found 

insufficient 12.20.16. Vote: 2.21.17. New TR in 

development. Expected July 2017. TR received 7.10.17. 

Response due 09.8.17. TR found sufficient 8.1.17. ON 

HOLD. 

TBD Discussion 

doc

On hold

Nutrient Vitamins 

and Minerals - 

annotation change

? 2011 NOSB recommendation DHA

2011 NOSB recommendation ARA

Pending NOP Approval. Approved for addition to the 

work agenda 1.12.16. ON HOLD pending NOP action.

TBD TBD
2023 Sunset Review: TR Requests (July 2020), Summary (Spr 2021), Review (Fall 2021)

Substance National

List Contact TRRequest? Notes*

Scheduled,

Discussed, 

Voted

Target

meeting

Agar-agar 205.605(a) KH N Sunset date: 5.29.23

TR: 2011.

2016/Fall - Rec to Renew

1.19.21 Summary: 

Spr 2021 

Review: 

Fall 2021

Animal enzymes 205.605(a) KH N Sunset date: 5.29.23

TR: 2011 (enzymes); 2015 

(enzymes).

2016/Fall - Rec to Renew

2.2.21 “

Calcium sulfate -

mined

205.605(a) WT N Sunset date: 5.29.23

TR: 2001.

2016/Fall - Rec to Renew

1.19.21 “

Carrageenan 205.605(a) JD/AB N Sunset date: 5.29.23

TR: 2011; 2016.

2016/Fall - Rec to Renew

2.2.21 “

Glucono deltalactone205.605(a) WT/ARB N Sunset date: 5.29.23

TR: 2016.

2016/Fall - Rec to Renew

2.16.21 “

Tartaric acid 205.605(a) SE N Sunset date: 5.29.23

TR: 2011.

2016/Fall - Rec to Renew

12.15.20 “

Cellulose 205.605(b) CD N Sunset date: 11.3.23

TR: 2016.

2016/Fall - Rec to Renew

12.15.20 “

Chlorine materials

(i) Calcium 

hypochlorite.

(ii) Chlorine dioxide.

(iii) Hypochlorous 

acid—generated 

from electrolyzed 

water.

(iv) Sodium 

hypochlorite

205.605(b) AB N Sunset date: 1.28.24

TR: 2015 (Hypochlorous acid).

2016/Spr - Rec to ADD

1.19.21

2.2.21

Potassium hydroxide 205.605(b) SE N Sunset date: 5.29.23

TR: 2016.

2016/Fall - Rec to Renew

12.15.20 “

Silicon dioxide 205.605(b) KS N Sunset date: 5.29.23

TR: 2010.

2016/Fall - Rec to Renew

1.5.21 “
2024 Sunset Review: TR Requests (June 2021), Summary (Spr 2022), Review (Fall 2022)

Potassium lactate 205.605(b) JD N Sunset date: 1.28.24

TR: 2015 (Lactic acid, sodium 

lactate, and potassium lactate).

2016/Spring - Rec to ADD

12.1.20 “

Sodium lactate 205.605(b) JD N Sunset date: 1.28.24

TR: 2015 (Lactic acid, sodium 

lactate, and potassium lactate).

2016/Spring - Rec to ADD

12.1.20 “

Substance National List Contact TR

Request? Notes*

Scheduled, 

Discussed, 

Voted

Target 

meeting

Attapulgite 205.605(a) Sunset date: 10.30.24

TR: 2010 TR.

2017/Fall – Rec to Renew

Summary: 

Spr 2022

Review: 

Fall 2022

Bentonite 205.605(a) Sunset date: 10.30.24

TR: 1995 TAP.

2017/Fall – Rec to Renew

“ “

Diatomaceous earth 205.605(a) Sunset date: 10.30.24

TR: 1995 TAP.

2017/Fall – Rec to Renew

“ “

Magnesium chloride 205.605(a) Sunset date: 11.22.24

TR: 1995 TAP; 2016 TR.

2017/Fall – Rec to Renew

“ “

Nitrogen 205.605(a) Sunset date: 10.30.24

TR: 1995 TAP.

2017/Fall – Rec to Renew

“ “

Sodium carbonate 205.605(a) Sunset date: 10.30.24

TR: 1995 TAP.

2017/Fall – Rec to Renew

“ “

Acidified sodium 

chlorite

205.605(b) Sunset date: 10.30.24

TR: 2008 TAP; 2013 TR 

(livestock).

2017/Fall – Rec to Renew

“ “

Carbon dioxide 205.605(b) Sunset date: 10.30.24

TR: 1995 TAP; 2006 TAP.

2017/Fall – Rec to Renew

“ “

Sodium phosphates 205.605(b) Sunset date: 10.30.24

TR: 2001 TAP; 2016 TR 

(phosphates).

2017/Fall – Rec to Renew

“ “

Casings 205.606(b) Sunset date: 10.30.24

TR: N/A

2017/Fall – Rec to Renew

“ “
Milestones 

Pectin 205.606(p) Sunset date: 10.30.24

TR: 1995 TAP; 2009 TR; 

2010 TR (supplemental); 

2015 Limited Scope TR.

2017/Fall – Rec to REMOVE

“ “

Potassium acid 

tartrate

205.606(q) Sunset date: 05.30.24

TR: 1995 TAP; 2017 TR.

2017/Fall – Rec to Renew

“ “

Spring 2021 Milestones Target dates (tentative)

NOP - Publish FRN, Open public comment Feb 18, 2021

NOSB - Spring 2021 proposals due to NOP Feb 18, 2021

New NOSB member training Feb 3 - 5, 2021

NOP - Draft Spring 2021 NOSB meeting tentative agenda Feb 2, 2021

NOP - Post proposals Mar 3, 2021

Public comment closes Apr 5, 2021

NOP - Send compiled public comments to NOSB Apr 6, 2021

Public comment webinars Apr 20 & 22, 2021

Spring 2021 NOSB meeting - Virtual Apr 28 - 30, 2021
Note: Subcommittee notes may include preliminary discussions regarding substances considered for addition to or removal from the 

National List. They do not represent official National Organic Program (NOP) policy/regulations or NOSB recommendations. Proposals 

must be voted on by the full Board, to become recommendations to the USDA. Please see the NOP website for official NOP policy, 

regulations, and status of substances used in organic production and handling.

Handling Subcommittee (HS) Notes 

Tuesday, February 16, 2021 1:00 pm ET

Present: Jerry D’Amore (JD), Chair; Asa Bradman (AB), Vice Chair; Steve Ela (SE); Kim Huseman (KH); Kyla 

Smith (KS); Carolyn Dimitri (CD)

Absent: Wood Turner (WT)

Staff: Michelle Arsenault (MA); Jared Clark (JC)

Agenda

• Review February 2, 2021 notes

• Zein (JD) - Discuss petition discussion doc/vote 

• 2023 Sunset: Glucono delta-lactone (JD for WT) - Discuss review

• Ion exchange filtration proposal (SE/SR) - Discuss proposal/vote

• Fish oil annotation proposal (AB) - Discuss/vote

• Phosphoric acid (AB/MJ) - Deferred to Fall 2021

• Additional items 

• Adjourn

Discussion

• February 2, 2021 notes were accepted as written. 

• Zein (JD). The lead summarized the review and noted that the same process to produce zein also 

produces corn steep liquor. He posed several questions to the group about the prior review and 

feedback, and the HS will post the discussion document for comment for the Spring meeting. A 

member asked about the classification of the substance based on the current classification 

decision tree. 

Motion to accept the petition discussion document on zein 

Motion by: JD

Seconded by: SE 

Yes: 6 No: 0 Abstain: 0 Absent: 1 Recuse: 0 

• 2023 Sunset: Glucono delta-lactone (GDL) (JD for WT). JD summarized the uses of GDL and the 

group had a brief discussion about alternatives and international standards which don’t allow the 

use of GDL. The review will be posted for the Spring meeting. The lead noted there are no ancillary 

substances. 

• Ion exchange filtration proposal (SE). The lead noted that the NOSB had a proposal at the Fall 

2020 meeting and it did not pass, and was sent back to the Handling Subcommittee for further 

work. Based on previous comments from stakeholders and discussion at the Fall NOSB meeting, 

there are conflicting interpretations as to how the materials used in ion exchange filtration should 

be listed and how certifiers should review these materials. The question before the Board is 

whether only the recharge materials used to “refresh” the ion content of the resins in the column 

should be on the National List or whether the resins themselves should also be on the List. A 

member suggested the additional of text from the TR regarding the manufacture and use of 
divinyl benzene indicating that potentially serious toxicants such as styrene, a known carcinogen, 

may be used in the manufacture of synthetic resins.

Motion to accept the ion exchange filtration proposal 

Motion by: SE

Seconded by: JD

Yes: 6 No: 0 Abstain: 0 Absent: 1 Recuse: 0 

• Fish oil annotation proposal (AB). The lead summarized the draft proposal noting that fish oil is a 

complex marine material issue. In a previous discussion document, the Handling Subcommittee 

included limiting the source of fish oil materials to byproduct from fish stocks that have been 

evaluated to other US standards. The members also discussed the feasibility of relying on thirdparty certifiers who rate seafood sustainability. The HS will put forth a discussion document 

instead of a proposal to gather more information through public comment. 

Motion to accept the discussion document on fish oil annotation (with modifications made during the call)

Motion by: AB

Seconded by: JD

Yes: 6 No: 0 Abstain: 0 Absent: 1 Recuse: 0 

• Additional items.

o Cetylpyridinium chloride (CPC) proposal will be deferred to the Fall meeting and the HS 

will discuss the sufficiency of the TR on the next call

o Phosphoric acid (AB/MJ) - Deferred to Fall 2021.

• The meeting was adjourned.

Previous HS Notes

 Future call schedule (1st and 3rd Tuesdays 1:00 ET. except where noted)

February 2, 2021

2023 Sunset: Chlorine materials (AB) - discuss review 

2023 Sunset: Carrageenan (AB/JD) - discuss review

2023 Sunset: Animal enzymes (KH) - discuss review 

Zein (JD) - Discuss petition discussion doc/TR sufficiency

Fish oil annotation proposal (AB) - discuss

Phosphoric acid (AB/MJ) - discussion draft pet discussion doc

Ion exchange filtration proposal (SE/SR) - discuss proposal/vote

February 16, 2021

2023 Sunset: Glucono delta-lactone (JD for WT) - Discuss review

Zein (JD) - Discuss petition discussion doc/vote 

Ion exchange filtration proposal (SE/SR) - Discuss proposal/vote

Fish oil annotation proposal (AB) - Discuss/vote

March 2, 2021

Cetylpyridinium chloride (CPC) (AB/KH) - TR sufficiency

March 16, 2021

April 6, 2021

April 20, 2021

May 4, 2021
Phosphoric acid - TR Sufficiency (if available)

May 18, 2021

June 1, 2021

June 15, 2021

July 6, 2021

July 20, 2021

August 3, 2021

August 17, 2021

September 7, 2021

September 21, 2021

October 5, 2021

October 19, 2021

November 2, 2021

November 16, 2021

December 7, 2021

December 21, 2021

 Work Agenda

Petitioned Substances:

Substance National

List Contact DocType Notes*

Scheduled,

Discussed, 

Voted

Target

meeting

Whey protein 

concentrate

(removal from 

205.606)

205.606 SE/AB Proposal Petition sent to HS 12.23.19. 

Sufficiency due 2.29.20. HS sent 

additional questions to 

petitioner 02.04.20. Questions 

revised and resent 3.13.20. 

Response returned 3.23.20. 

Sufficiency due ASAP. HS found 

petition sufficient 07.07.20. Hold 

pending completion of Fall 2020 

sunset recommendation

TBD TBD

Cetylpyridinium 

chloride (CPC)

205.605 AB/KH Proposal Petition sent to HS 01.13.20. 

Sufficiency due 03.13.20. HS 

sent additional questions to 

petitioner 03.17.20. Petitioners 

responses sent to HS 5.4.20. 

Petition found sufficient 

05.19.20. The HS requested TR 

06.02.20. Expected back in midJanuary. TR sent to HS 2.2.21. TR 

sufficiency due 4.3.21

5.19.20

06.02.20

07.21.20

3.2.21

Fall

2021
• Other Projects

Phosphoric acid -

amend annotation

Addendum #1

Addendum #2

205.605(b) AB Proposal 2003 TR

Petition sent to HS 01.28.20. 

Sufficiency due 03.28.20. HS 

sent additional questions to 

petitioner 03.17.20. Response 

sent to HS 4.6.20. HS sent

additional questions to 

petitioner 5.6.20. Response sent 

to HS 8.10.20. Petition found 

sufficient 9.1.20 and HS 

requested a full TR 12.1.20.

05.05.20

09.01.20

12.1.20

12.15.20

5.4.21

Fall 

2021

Zein 205.606 JD Disc doc Petition sent to HS 03.20.20. 

Sufficiency due 05.19.20. HS sent

additional questions to the 

petitioner 06.02.20. Response 

sent to HS 06.16.20. HS found 

petition sufficient 07.07.20 and 

requested a TR. TR sent to HS 

01.21.21. TR Sufficiency due 

03.22.21. TR found sufficient 

2.2.21. 

05.19.20

07.07.20

07.21.20

2.2.21

2.16.21

Spr 

2021

Substance Contact Notes*

Scheduled,

Discussed, 

Voted

Target

meeting

Fish oil annotation

Discussion doc

AB Work agenda request 5.13.19. Sent to NOP 7.3.19. 

Approved by NOP 8.6.19. 

2.16.21 Spr 2021

L-Malic acid 

reclassification

SR Work agenda request 5.13.19. Sent to NOP 7.3.19. 

Approved by NOP 8.6.19. 

TBD Fall 2021

Ion exchange 

filtration proposal

SE/SR NOP memo sent to NOSB 8.27.19. TR requested 9.3.19. 

TR due in ~ mid-January 2020. TR sent to HS 03.11.20. TR 

suff due 05.10.20. HS sent additional questions to TR 

contractor 6/9/2020. Response to questions sent to HS 

07.24.20. TR was found sufficient 08.04.20. 

1.19.21

2.2.21

2.16.21

Spr 2021

Research Priorities ALL RPs due to MS 01.19.21. 1.5.21

1.19.21

7.20.21

Spr 2021

Packaging 

substances used in 

organic food 

handling - including 

BPA

AB Submitted briefing paper to NOP 1.12.14. Response 

memo from NOP sent to HS 11.19.14. TR in 

development, expected mid-Sep -delayed. TR received 

9.30.16. In review by the program. TR sent to HS 

10.19.16. TR sufficiency due 12.20.16. TR found 

insufficient 12.20.16. Vote: 2.21.17. New TR in 

development. Expected July 2017. TR received 7.10.17. 

Response due 09.8.17. TR found sufficient 8.1.17. ON 

HOLD. 

TBD Discussion 

doc

On hold
*Highlight indicates committee action needed. *Highlight indicates review completion and/or vote

• 

2023 Sunset Review: TR Requests (July 2020), Summary (Spr 2021), Review (Fall 2021)

Nutrient Vitamins 

and Minerals - 

annotation change

? 2011 NOSB recommendation DHA

2011 NOSB recommendation ARA

Pending NOP Approval. Approved for addition to the 

work agenda 1.12.16. ON HOLD pending NOP action.

TBD TBD

Substance National

List Contact TRRequest? Notes*

Scheduled,

Discussed, 

Voted

Target

meeting

Agar-agar 205.605(a) KH N Sunset date: 5/29/2023

2011 TR

2016/Fall - Rec to Renew

1.19.21 Summary: 

Spr 2021 

Review: 

Fall 2021

Animal enzymes 205.605(a) KH N Sunset date: 5/29/2023

2011 TR Enzymes

2015 TR Enzymes

2016/Fall - Rec to Renew

2.2.21 “

Calcium sulfate -

mined

205.605(a) WT N Sunset date: 5/29/2023

2001 TR

2016/Fall - Rec to Renew

1.19.21 “

Carrageenan 205.605(a) AB/JD N Sunset date: 5/29/2023

2011 TR

2016 TR

2016/Fall - Rec to Renew

2.2.21 “

Glucono delta-lactone 205.605(a) WT/ARB N Sunset date: 5/29/2023

2016 TR

2016/Fall - Rec to Renew

2.16.21 “

Tartaric acid 205.605(a) SE N Sunset date: 5/29/2023

2011 TR

2016/Fall - Rec to Renew

12.15.20 “

Cellulose 205.605(b) CD N Sunset date: 11/3/2023

2016 TR

2016/Fall - Rec to Renew

12.15.20 “

Chlorine materials

(i) Calcium 

hypochlorite.

(ii) Chlorine dioxide.

(iii) Hypochlorous 

acid—generated from 

electrolyzed water.

(iv) Sodium 

hypochlorite

205.605(b) AB N Sunset date: 1/28/2024

2015 TR Hypochlorous Acid

2016/Spr Rec to ADD

1.19.21

2.2.21

Potassium hydroxide 205.605(b) SE N Sunset date: 5/29/2023

2016 TR

2016/Fall - Rec to Renew

12.15.20 “
Silicon dioxide 205.605(b) KS N Sunset date: 5/29/2023

2010 TR

2016/Fall - Rec to Renew

1.5.21 “

Potassium lactate 205.605(b) JD N Sunset date: 1/28/2024

2015 TR (Lactic Acid, Sodium 

Lactate, and Potassium 

Lactate)

2016/Spring - Rec to ADD

12.1.20 “

Sodium lactate 205.605(b) JD N Sunset date: 1/28/2024

2015 TR (Lactic Acid, Sodium 

Lactate, and Potassium 

Lactate) 

2016/Spring - Rec to ADD

12.1.20 “

Spring 2021 Milestones Target dates (tentative)

NOP - Publish FRN, Open public comment Feb 18, 2021

NOSB - Spring 2021 proposals due to NOP Feb 18, 2021

New NOSB member training Feb 3 - 5, 2021

NOP - Draft Spring 2021 NOSB meeting tentative agenda Feb 2, 2021

NOP - Post proposals Mar 3, 2021

Public comment closes Apr 5, 2021

NOP - Send compiled public comments to NOSB Apr 6, 2021

Public comment webinars Apr 20 & 22, 2021

Spring 2021 NOSB meeting - Virtual Apr 28 - 30, 2021
Note: Subcommittee notes may include preliminary discussions regarding substances considered for addition to or removal from the 

National List. They do not represent official National Organic Program (NOP) policy/regulations or NOSB recommendations. Proposals 

must be voted on by the full Board, to become recommendations to the USDA. Please see the NOP website for official NOP policy, 

regulations, and status of substances used in organic production and handling.

Handling Subcommittee (HS) Notes 

Tuesday, February 2, 2021 1:00 pm ET

Present: Jerry D’Amore (JD), Chair; Asa Bradman (AB), Vice Chair; Steve Ela (SE); Kim Huseman (KH); Wood 

Turner (WT); Kyla Smith (KS); Carolyn Dimitri (CD)

Absent: None

Staff: Michelle Arsenault (MA); Jared Clark (JC)

Agenda

• Review January 19, 2021 notes

• 2023 Sunset: Carrageenan (AB/JD) - discuss review

• Zein (JD) - Discuss petition discussion doc/TR sufficiency 

• 2023 Sunset: Animal enzymes (KH) - discuss review 

• Ion exchange filtration proposal (SE/SR) - discuss proposal/vote

• 2023 Sunset: Chlorine materials (AB) - discuss review

• Fish oil annotation proposal (AB) – discuss

• Additional items 

• Adjourn

Discussion

• January 19, 2021 notes were accepted as written

• 2023 Sunset: Carrageenan (AB/JD). The lead summarized his review for carrageenan, noting uses, 

manufacture, and International allowances. The lead described the previous review, and noted 

that although the NOSB voted to remove carrageenan from the National List, the NOP received 

public comment opposing the decision, and therefore did not remove it. The HS will seek public 

comment on the questions in the review at the Spring meeting.

• Zein (JD). The lead summarized the petitioned uses of zein, noting that it is non-synthetic. He also 

summarized the technical report and the HS found the TR sufficient. The lead will develop a 

discussion document and the HS will vote on it during the next call. 

• 2023 Sunset: Animal enzymes (KH). The lead summarized the uses and manufacturing processes 

of animal enzymes, and the HS will post the document for the Spring meeting.

• 2023 Sunset: Chlorine materials (AB). The lead summarized the four substances listed under 

chlorine materials, noting the similarities, and associated human health and environmental 

concerns. Chlorine materials have a long history for use as food safety materials, and while 

members are concerned, they acknowledged the lack of alternatives. HS discussed adding a 

research priority on the human health concerns of chlorine materials. The lead will make some 

minor modifications to the draft document and submit it for the Spring meeting. 

• Ion exchange filtration proposal (SE). The lead summarized the previous proposal, which was not 

passed by the NOSB at the Fall 2020 meeting, and instead was sent back to the Subcommittee for 

revision. The current version does not include a specific recommendation, but instead lays out the 

issue and suggests some paths for the NOP. A member noted the comments submitted by the 

certifier community at the Fall 2020 meeting. Members will send comments to the lead and the 

HS will vote on the proposal on the next call. 

• Fish oil annotation proposal (AB). The discussion was deferred to next call. The lead did note that 

he received additional info from several stakeholder groups including NOAA. The lead will forward 

the feedback to the other members and the HS will discuss the proposal on the next call. 

• Additional items. None.

• The meeting was adjourned.
Previous HS Notes

Future call schedule (1st and 3rd Tuesdays 1:00 ET. except where noted)

January 19, 2021

2023 Sunset: Agar-agar (KH) - discuss review

2023 Sunset: Animal enzymes (KH) - discuss review

2023 Sunset: Calcium sulfate - mined (WT) - discuss review

2023 Sunset: Chlorine materials (AB) - discuss review 

Ion exchange filtration proposal (SE/SR) - discuss review

February 2, 2021

2023 Sunset: Chlorine materials (AB) - discuss review

2023 Sunset: Carrageenan (AB/JD) - discuss review

2023 Sunset: Animal enzymes (KH) - discuss review 

Zein (JD) - Discuss petition discussion doc/TR sufficiency

Fish oil annotation proposal (AB) - discuss

Phosphoric acid (AB/MJ) - discussion draft pet discussion doc

Ion exchange filtration proposal (SE/SR) - discuss proposal/vote

February 16, 2021

2023 Sunset: Glucono delta-lactone (WT) - Discuss review

Zein (JD) - Discuss petition discussion doc/vote

Ion exchange filtration proposal (SE/SR) - Discuss proposal/vote

Fish oil annotation proposal (AB) - Discuss/vote

Phosphoric acid (AB/MJ) - Discuss draft pet discussion doc

March 2, 2021

Cetylpyridinium chloride (CPC) (AB/KH) - TR sufficiency

March 16, 2021

April 6, 2021

April 20, 2021

May 4, 2021

May 18, 2021

June 1, 2021

June 15, 2021

July 6, 2021

July 20, 2021

August 3, 2021

August 17, 2021

September 7, 2021

September 21, 2021

October 5, 2021

October 19, 2021

November 2, 2021

November 16, 2021

December 7, 2021

December 21, 2021

 
 Work Agenda

Petitioned Substances:

Substance National

List Contact DocType Notes*

Scheduled,

Discussed, 

Voted

Target

meeting

Whey protein 

concentrate

(removal from 

205.606)

205.606 SE/AB Proposal Petition sent to HS 12.23.19. 

Sufficiency due 2.29.20. HS sent 

additional questions to 

petitioner 02.04.20. Questions 

revised and resent 3.13.20. 

Response returned 3.23.20. 

Sufficiency due ASAP. HS found 

petition sufficient 07.07.20

TBD TBD

Cetylpyridinium 

chloride (CPC)

205.605 AB/KH Proposal Petition sent to HS 01.13.20. 

Sufficiency due 03.13.20. HS 

sent additional questions to 

petitioner 03.17.20. Petitioners 

responses sent to HS 5.4.20. 

Petition found sufficient 

05.19.20. The HS requested TR 

06.02.20. Expected back in midJanuary. TR sent to HS 2.2.21. TR 

sufficiency due 4.3.21

5.19.20

06.02.20

07.21.20

3.2.21

Fall

2021

Phosphoric acid -

amend annotation

Addendum #1

Addendum #2

205.605(b) AB Disc doc 2003 TR

Petition sent to HS 01.28.20. 

Sufficiency due 03.28.20. HS 

sent additional questions to 

petitioner 03.17.20. Response 

sent to HS 4.6.20. HS sent

additional questions to 

petitioner 5.6.20. Response sent 

to HS 8.10.20. Petition found 

sufficient 9.1.20 and HS will 

request a full TR.

05.05.20

09.01.20

12.1.20

12.15.20

2.16.21

Spr 

2021

Zein 205.606 JD Disc doc Petition sent to HS 03.20.20. 

Sufficiency due 05.19.20. HS sent

additional questions to the 

petitioner 06.02.20. Response 

sent to HS 06.16.20. HS found 

petition sufficient 07.07.20 and 

requested a TR. TR sent to HS 

01.21.21. TR Sufficiency due 

03.22.21. TR found sufficient 

2.2.21. 

05.19.20

07.07.20

07.21.20

2.2.21

2.16.21

Spr 

2021
Other Projects

*Highlight indicates committee action needed. *Highlight indicates review completion and/or vote

 

2023 Sunset Review: TR Requests (July 2020), Summary (Spr 2021), Review (Fall 2021)

Substance Contact Notes*

Scheduled,

Discussed, 

Voted

Target

meeting

Fish oil annotation

proposal

AB Work agenda request 5.13.19. Sent to NOP 7.3.19. 

Approved by NOP 8.6.19. 

2.16.21 Spr 2021

L-Malic acid 

reclassification

SR Work agenda request 5.13.19. Sent to NOP 7.3.19. 

Approved by NOP 8.6.19. 

TBD Fall 2021

Ion exchange 

filtration proposal

SE/SR NOP memo sent to NOSB 8.27.19. TR requested 9.3.19. 

TR due in ~ mid-January 2020. TR sent to HS 03.11.20. TR 

suff due 05.10.20. HS sent additional questions to TR 

contractor 6/9/2020. Response to questions sent to HS 

07.24.20. TR was found sufficient 08.04.20. 

1.19.21

2.2.21

2.16.21

Spr 2021

Research Priorities ALL RPs due to MS 01.19.21. 1.5.21

1.19.21

Spr 2021

Packaging 

substances used in 

organic food 

handling - including 

BPA

AB Submitted briefing paper to NOP 1.12.14. Response 

memo from NOP sent to HS 11.19.14. TR in 

development, expected mid-Sep -delayed. TR received 

9.30.16. In review by the program. TR sent to HS 

10.19.16. TR sufficiency due 12.20.16. TR found 

insufficient 12.20.16. Vote: 2.21.17. New TR in 

development. Expected July 2017. TR received 7.10.17. 

Response due 09.8.17. TR found sufficient 8.1.17. ON 

HOLD. 

TBD Discussion 

doc

On hold

Nutrient Vitamins 

and Minerals - 

annotation change

? 2011 NOSB recommendation DHA

2011 NOSB recommendation ARA

Pending NOP Approval. Approved for addition to the 

work agenda 1.12.16. ON HOLD pending NOP action.

TBD TBD

Substance National

List Contact TRRequest? Notes*

Scheduled,

Discussed, 

Voted

Target

meeting

Agar-agar 205.605(a) KH N Sunset date: 5/29/2023

2011 TR

2016/Fall - Rec to Renew

1.19.21 Summary: 

Spr 2021 

Review: 

Fall 2021

Animal enzymes 205.605(a) KH N Sunset date: 5/29/2023

2011 TR Enzymes

2015 TR Enzymes

2016/Fall - Rec to Renew

2.2.21

Calcium sulfate -

mined

205.605(a) WT N Sunset date: 5/29/2023

2001 TR

2016/Fall - Rec to Renew

1.19.21 “
Carrageenan 205.605(a) AB/JD N Sunset date: 5/29/2023

2011 TR

2016 TR

2016/Fall - Rec to Renew

2.2.21 “

Glucono delta-lactone 205.605(a) WT/ARB N Sunset date: 5/29/2023

2016 TR

2016/Fall - Rec to Renew

2.16.21 “

Tartaric acid 205.605(a) SE N Sunset date: 5/29/2023

2011 TR

2016/Fall - Rec to Renew

12.15.20 “

Cellulose 205.605(b) CD N Sunset date: 11/3/2023

2016 TR

2016/Fall - Rec to Renew

12.15.20 “

Chlorine materials

(i) Calcium 

hypochlorite.

(ii) Chlorine dioxide.

(iii) Hypochlorous 

acid—generated from 

electrolyzed water.

(iv) Sodium 

hypochlorite

205.605(b) AB N Sunset date: 1/28/2024

2015 TR Hypochlorous Acid

2016/Spr Rec to ADD

1.19.21

2.2.21

Potassium hydroxide 205.605(b) SE N Sunset date: 5/29/2023

2016 TR

2016/Fall - Rec to Renew

12.15.20 “

Silicon dioxide 205.605(b) KS N Sunset date: 5/29/2023

2010 TR

2016/Fall - Rec to Renew

1.5.21 “

Potassium lactate 205.605(b) JD N Sunset date: 1/28/2024

2015 TR (Lactic Acid, Sodium 

Lactate, and Potassium 

Lactate)

2016/Spring - Rec to ADD

12.1.20 “

Sodium lactate 205.605(b) JD N Sunset date: 1/28/2024

2015 TR (Lactic Acid, Sodium 

Lactate, and Potassium 

Lactate) 

2016/Spring - Rec to ADD

12.1.20 “
Spring 2021 Milestones Target dates (tentative)

NOP - Publish FRN, Open public comment ~Nov 15, 2020

NOSB - Spring 2021 proposals due to NOP Feb 18, 2021

New NOSB member training TBD

NOP - Draft Spring 2021 NOSB meeting tentative agenda Feb 2, 2021

NOP - Post proposals Mar 3, 2021

Public comment closes Apr 1, 2021

NOP - Send compiled public comments to NOSB Apr 6, 2021

Public comment webinars Apr 20 & 22, 2021

Spring 2021 NOSB meeting - Crystal City, VA Apr 28 - 30, 2021
Note: Subcommittee notes may include preliminary discussions regarding substances considered for addition to or removal from the 

National List. They do not represent official National Organic Program (NOP) policy/regulations or NOSB recommendations. Proposals 

must be voted on by the full Board, to become recommendations to the USDA. Please see the NOP website for official NOP policy, 

regulations, and status of substances used in organic production and handling.

Handling Subcommittee (HS) Notes 

Tuesday, January 19, 2021 1:00 pm ET

Present: Jerry D’Amore (JD), Chair; Asa Bradman (AB), Vice Chair; Steve Ela (SE); Kim Huseman (KH); Scott 

Rice (SR); Wood Turner (WT); Kyla Smith (KS) - observer; Carolyn Dimitri (CD) - observer

Absent: A-dae Briones (ARB)

Staff: Michelle Arsenault (MA); Jared Clark (JC)

Agenda

• Review January 5, 2021 notes

• 2023 Sunset: Agar-agar (KH) - discuss review

• 2023 Sunset: Calcium sulfate - mined (WT) - discuss review

• 2023 Sunset: Chlorine materials (AB) - discuss review 

• Ion exchange filtration proposal (SE/SR) - discuss review

• Additional items 

• Adjourn

Discussion

• January 5, 2021 notes were approved as written. 

• 2023 Sunset: Agar-agar (KH). The lead summarized the draft review noting the uses and history of 

agar-agar. The group discussed two different extraction processes and the classification of agaragar and potentially may work on a re-classification in the future. The lead will finalize the review 

and send it to NOP for the Spring meeting.

• 2023 Sunset: Calcium sulfate - mined (WT). The lead summarized the substance and its sources, 

emphasizing that this version is mined. The primary concerns are mining and exposure/human 

health. Calcium sulfate is widely used as a coagulant in tofu, a firming agent, etc. Members 

discussed the need for a new TR since the previous one is from 2001. A new TR would not be 

completed in time for the current sunset review and would have to be for the next round. The last 

review was completed in 2016 and it was relisted unanimously by the full Board. The lead will 

submit the review to the NOP for the Spring meeting. 

• 2023 Sunset: Chlorine materials (AB). The lead introduced the substances, and noted that he 

reached out to stakeholders and industry members seeking additional information about the use 

and needs for chlorine materials, and possible alternatives. The NOSB recently hosted a panel on 

sanitizers, which includes chlorine materials. Members discussed human health and 

environmental concerns, and the view that chlorine is essential for processing and food safety. 

The lead will write a draft review for discussion on the next call.

• Research Priorities. AB reached out to several food safety experts about alternatives to chlorine 

materials, and it appears that research is already being conducted in this area, although it may be 

for conventional agriculture. The HS will keep its initial list of research priorities and not make any 

modifications. 

• Ion exchange filtration proposal (SE/SR). The NOSB voted on a proposal on ion exchange filtration 

at the Fall 2020 NOSB meeting and it did not pass, so the HS is revisiting the proposal for the 

Spring 2021 meeting. Based on public comments the HS is proposing to list resins as a group, and 

not individually. Members also discussed the issue of food contact surfaces versus food additives. 

The lead will edit the document and the HS will vote on it during the next call.

• Additional items. None.

• The meeting was adjourned
Previous HS Notes

Future call schedule (1st and 3rd Tuesdays 1:00 ET. except where noted)

January 5, 2021

2023 Sunset: Silicon dioxide (SR) - discuss review

Research Priorities - finalize list to send to Materials Subcomm

January 19, 2021

2023 Sunset: Agar-agar (KH) - discuss review

2023 Sunset: Animal enzymes (KH) - discuss review

2023 Sunset: Calcium sulfate - mined (WT) - discuss review

2023 Sunset: Chlorine materials (AB) - discuss review

Ion exchange filtration proposal (SE/SR) - discuss review

February 2, 2021

2023 Sunset: Chlorine materials (AB) - discuss review

2023 Sunset: Carrageenan (AB/JD) - discuss review

2023 Sunset: Animal enzymes (KH) - discuss review 

Zein (JD) - Discuss petition discussion doc 

Fish oil annotation proposal (AB) - discuss

Phosphoric acid (AB/MJ) - discussion draft pet discussion doc

Ion exchange filtration proposal (SE/SR) - discuss proposal/vote

February 16, 2021

2023 Sunset: Glucono delta-lactone (WT) - discuss review

Cetylpyridinium chloride (CPC) (AB/KH) - discuss petition discussion doc

March 2, 2021

March 16, 2021

April 6, 2021

April 20, 2021

May 4, 2021

May 18, 2021

June 1, 2021

June 15, 2021

July 6, 2021

July 20, 2021

August 3, 2021

August 17, 2021

September 7, 2021

September 21, 2021

October 5, 2021

October 19, 2021

November 2, 2021

November 16, 2021

December 7, 2021

December 21, 2021
 Work Agenda

Petitioned Substances:

Other Projects

Substance National

List Contact DocType Notes*

Scheduled,

Discussed, 

Voted

Target

meeting

Whey protein 

concentrate

(removal from 

205.606)

205.606 SE/AB Proposal Petition sent to HS 12.23.19. 

Sufficiency due 2.29.20. HS sent 

additional questions to 

petitioner 02.04.20. Questions 

revised and resent 3.13.20. 

Response returned 3.23.20. 

Sufficiency due ASAP. HS found 

petition sufficient 07.07.20

TBD TBD

Cetylpyridinium 

chloride (CPC)

205.605 AB/KH Disc doc Petition sent to HS 01.13.20. 

Sufficiency due 03.13.20. HS 

sent additional questions to 

petitioner 03.17.20. Petitioners 

responses sent to HS 5.4.20. 

Petition found sufficient 

05.19.20. The HS requested TR 

06.02.20. Expected back in midJanuary.

5.19.20

06.02.20

07.21.20

2.16.21

Spr 

2021

Phosphoric acid -

amend annotation

Addendum #1

Addendum #2

205.605(b) AB Disc doc 2003 TR

Petition sent to HS 01.28.20. 

Sufficiency due 03.28.20. HS 

sent additional questions to 

petitioner 03.17.20. Response 

sent to HS 4.6.20. HS sent

additional questions to 

petitioner 5.6.20. Response sent 

to HS 8.10.20. Petition found 

sufficient 9.1.20 and HS will 

request a full TR.

05.05.20

09.01.20

12.1.20

12.15.20

2.2.21

Spr 

2021

Zein 205.606 JD Disc doc Petition sent to HS 03.20.20. 

Sufficiency due 05.19.20. HS sent

additional questions to the 

petitioner 06.02.20. Response 

sent to HS 06.16.20. HS found 

petition sufficient 07.07.20 and 

requested a TR. TR due to HS 

early January.

05.19.20

07.07.20

07.21.20

2.2.21

Spr 

2021

Substance Contact Notes*

Scheduled,

Discussed, 

Voted

Target

meeting

Fish oil annotation

proposal

AB Work agenda request 5.13.19. Sent to NOP 7.3.19. 

Approved by NOP 8.6.19. 

2.2.21 Spr 2021

L-Malic acid 

reclassification

SR Work agenda request 5.13.19. Sent to NOP 7.3.19. 

Approved by NOP 8.6.19. 

TBD Fall 2021
*Highlight indicates committee action needed. *Highlight indicates review completion and/or vote

 

2023 Sunset Review: TR Requests (July 2020), Summary (Spr 2021), Review (Fall 2021)

Ion exchange 

filtration proposal

SE/SR NOP memo sent to NOSB 8.27.19. TR requested 9.3.19. 

TR due in ~ mid-January 2020. TR sent to HS 03.11.20. TR 

suff due 05.10.20. HS sent additional questions to TR 

contractor 6/9/2020. Response to questions sent to HS 

07.24.20. TR was found sufficient 08.04.20. 

1.19.21

2.2.21

Spr 2021

Research Priorities ALL RPs due to MS 01.19.21. 1.5.21

1.19.21

Spr 2021

Packaging 

substances used in 

organic food 

handling - including 

BPA

AB Submitted briefing paper to NOP 1.12.14. Response 

memo from NOP sent to HS 11.19.14. TR in 

development, expected mid-Sep -delayed. TR received 

9.30.16. In review by the program. TR sent to HS 

10.19.16. TR sufficiency due 12.20.16. TR found

insufficient 12.20.16. Vote: 2.21.17. New TR in 

development. Expected July 2017. TR received 7.10.17. 

Response due 09.8.17. TR found sufficient 8.1.17. ON 

HOLD. 

TBD Discussion 

doc

On hold

Nutrient Vitamins 

and Minerals - 

annotation change

? 2011 NOSB recommendation DHA

2011 NOSB recommendation ARA

Pending NOP Approval. Approved for addition to the 

work agenda 1.12.16. ON HOLD pending NOP action.

TBD TBD

Substance National

List Contact TRRequest? Notes*

Scheduled,

Discussed, 

Voted

Target

meeting

Agar-agar 205.605(a) KH N Sunset date: 5/29/2023

2011 TR

2016/Fall - Rec to Renew

1.19.21 Summary: 

Spr 2021 

Review: 

Fall 2021

Animal enzymes 205.605(a) KH N Sunset date: 5/29/2023

2011 TR Enzymes

2015 TR Enzymes

2016/Fall - Rec to Renew

2.2.21

Calcium sulfate -

mined

205.605(a) WT N Sunset date: 5/29/2023

2001 TR

2016/Fall - Rec to Renew

1.19.21 “

Carrageenan 205.605(a) AB/JD N Sunset date: 5/29/2023

2011 TR

2016 TR

2016/Fall - Rec to Renew

2.2.21 “

Glucono delta-lactone 205.605(a) WT/ARB N Sunset date: 5/29/2023

2016 TR

2016/Fall - Rec to Renew

2.16.21 “

Tartaric acid 205.605(a) SE N Sunset date: 5/29/2023

2011 TR

2016/Fall - Rec to Renew

12.15.20 “
Cellulose 205.605(b) SR N Sunset date: 11/3/2023

2016 TR

2016/Fall - Rec to Renew

12.15.20 “

Chlorine materials

(i) Calcium 

hypochlorite.

(ii) Chlorine dioxide.

(iii) Hypochlorous 

acid—generated from 

electrolyzed water.

(iv) Sodium 

hypochlorite

205.605(b) AB N Sunset date: 1/28/2024

2015 TR Hypochlorous Acid

2016/Spr Rec to ADD

1.19.21

2.2.21

Potassium hydroxide 205.605(b) SE N Sunset date: 5/29/2023

2016 TR

2016/Fall - Rec to Renew

12.15.20 “

Silicon dioxide 205.605(b) SR N Sunset date: 5/29/2023

2010 TR

2016/Fall - Rec to Renew

1.5.21 “

Potassium lactate 205.605(b) JD N Sunset date: 1/28/2024

2015 TR (Lactic Acid, Sodium 

Lactate, and Potassium 

Lactate)

2016/Spring - Rec to ADD

12.1.20 “

Sodium lactate 205.605(b) JD N Sunset date: 1/28/2024

2015 TR (Lactic Acid, Sodium 

Lactate, and Potassium 

Lactate) 

2016/Spring - Rec to ADD

12.1.20 “

Spring 2021 Milestones Target dates (tentative)

NOP - Publish FRN, Open public comment ~Nov 15, 2020

NOSB - Spring 2021 proposals due to NOP Feb 18, 2021

New NOSB member training TBD

NOP - Draft Spring 2021 NOSB meeting tentative agenda Feb 2, 2021

NOP - Post proposals Mar 3, 2021

Public comment closes Apr 1, 2021

NOP - Send compiled public comments to NOSB Apr 6, 2021

Public comment webinars Apr 20 & 22, 2021

Spring 2021 NOSB meeting - Crystal City, VA Apr 28 - 30, 2021
Note: Subcommittee notes may include preliminary discussions regarding substances considered for addition to or removal from the 

National List. They do not represent official National Organic Program (NOP) policy/regulations or NOSB recommendations. Proposals 

must be voted on by the full Board, to become recommendations to the USDA. Please see the NOP website for official NOP policy, 

regulations, and status of substances used in organic production and handling.

Handling Subcommittee (HS) Notes 

Tuesday, January 5, 2021 1:00 pm ET

Present: Asa Bradman (AB), Vice Chair; Steve Ela (SE); Kim Huseman (KH); Scott Rice (SR); Wood Turner

(WT); Kyla Smith (KS) - observer

Absent: Jerry D’Amore (JD), Chair; A-dae Briones (ARB)

Staff: Michelle Arsenault (MA); Jared Clark (JC)

Agenda

• Review December 15 notes

• 2023 Sunset: Silicon dioxide (SR) - discuss review

• Research Priorities - finalize list to send to Materials Subcomm

• Additional items 

• Adjourn

Discussion

• December 15 notes were accepted as written.

• 2023 Sunset: Silicon dioxide (SR). The lead summarized the uses of silicon dioxide, its 

manufacture, environmental concerns, ancillary substances, and public comment from the last 

review. The lead also mentioned an NOP policy memo addressing nano-technology. The NOSB 

received a petition to remove silicon dioxide in 2010, but it was not recommended for removal at 

that time. A member asked about silica dust, which has adverse health effects, and whether or not 

that is pertinent to this substance. The lead will re-review the TR, add any information about 

manufacture that may address silica dust, add a couple of questions suggested by members, and 

recirculate the draft. 

• Research Priorities. The group discussed possible Research Priorities for the Spring 2021 meeting. 

Members discussed sanitizers and the use of substances in rotation. A member emphasized the 

need for an ecosystem approach when looking at sanitizers. 

• Additional items. 

o Ion exchange. The lead reached out to stakeholders who commented at the Fall NOSB 

meeting to collect more info about the use of resins and the HS will discuss it on the next 

call. A member had some additional questions about resins and food contact and will join 

the discussion with the lead and commenters.

• The meeting was adjourned

Previous HS Notes

Future call schedule (1st and 3rd Tuesdays 1:00 ET. except where noted)

December 15, 2020 (rescheduled to 12:30 ET)

2023 Sunset: Tartaric acid (SE) - discuss review

2023 Sunset: Cellulose (SR) - discuss review

2023 Sunset: Potassium hydroxide (SE) - discuss review

Phosphoric acid (AB/MJ) - discuss need for full TR or limited scope TR

January 5, 2021

2023 Sunset: Silicon dioxide (SR) - discuss review

Research Priorities - finalize list to send to Materials Subcomm

January 19, 2021

2023 Sunset: Agar-agar (KH) - discuss review
2023 Sunset: Animal enzymes (KH) - discuss review

2023 Sunset: Calcium sulfate - mined (WT) - discuss review

2023 Sunset: Chlorine materials (AB) - discuss review 

Ion exchange filtration proposal (SE/SR) - discuss review

February 2, 2021

2023 Sunset: Carrageenan (AB/JD) - discuss review

Zein (JD) - Discuss petition discussion doc 

Fish oil annotation proposal (AB) - discuss

Phosphoric acid (AB/MJ) - discussion draft pet discussion doc

February 16, 2021

2023 Sunset: Glucono delta-lactone (WT) - discuss review

Cetylpyridinium chloride (CPC) (AB/KH) - discuss petition discussion doc

March 2, 2021

March 16, 2021

April 6, 2021

April 20, 2021

May 4, 2021

May 18, 2021

June 1, 2021

June 15, 2021

July 6, 2021

July 20, 2021

August 3, 2021

August 17, 2021

September 7, 2021

September 21, 2021

October 5, 2021

October 19, 2021

November 2, 2021

November 16, 2021

December 7, 2021

December 21, 2021

 

 Work Agenda

Petitioned Substances:

Substance National

List Contact DocType Notes*

Scheduled,

Discussed, 

Voted

Target

meeting

Whey protein 

concentrate

(removal from 

205.606)

205.606 SE/AB Proposal Petition sent to HS 12.23.19. 

Sufficiency due 2.29.20. HS sent 

additional questions to 

petitioner 02.04.20. Questions 

revised and resent 3.13.20. 

Response returned 3.23.20. 

Sufficiency due ASAP. HS found 

petition sufficient 07.07.20

TBD TBD
Other Projects

Cetylpyridinium 

chloride (CPC)

205.605 AB/KH Disc doc Petition sent to HS 01.13.20. 

Sufficiency due 03.13.20. HS 

sent additional questions to 

petitioner 03.17.20. Petitioners 

responses sent to HS 5.4.20. 

Petition found sufficient 

05.19.20. The HS requested TR 

06.02.20. Expected back in midJanuary.

5.19.20

06.02.20

07.21.20

2.16.21

Spr 

2021

Phosphoric acid -

amend annotation

Addendum #1

Addendum #2

205.605(b) AB Disc doc 2003 TR

Petition sent to HS 01.28.20. 

Sufficiency due 03.28.20. HS 

sent additional questions to 

petitioner 03.17.20. Response 

sent to HS 4.6.20. HS sent

additional questions to 

petitioner 5.6.20. Response sent 

to HS 8.10.20. Petition found 

sufficient 9.1.20 and HS will 

request a full TR.

05.05.20

09.01.20

12.1.20

12.15.20

2.2.21

Spr 

2021

Zein 205.606 JD Disc doc Petition sent to HS 03.20.20. 

Sufficiency due 05.19.20. HS sent

additional questions to the 

petitioner 06.02.20. Response 

sent to HS 06.16.20. HS found 

petition sufficient 07.07.20 and 

requested a TR. TR due to HS 

early January.

05.19.20

07.07.20

07.21.20

2.2.21

Spr 

2021

Substance Contact Notes*

Scheduled,

Discussed, 

Voted

Target

meeting

Fish oil annotation

proposal

AB Work agenda request 5.13.19. Sent to NOP 7.3.19. 

Approved by NOP 8.6.19. 

2.2.21 Spr 2021

L-Malic acid 

reclassification

SR Work agenda request 5.13.19. Sent to NOP 7.3.19. 

Approved by NOP 8.6.19. 

TBD Fall 2021

Ion exchange 

filtration proposal

SE/SR NOP memo sent to NOSB 8.27.19. TR requested 9.3.19. 

TR due in ~ mid-January 2020. TR sent to HS 03.11.20. TR 

suff due 05.10.20. HS sent additional questions to TR 

contractor 6/9/2020. Response to questions sent to HS 

07.24.20. TR was found sufficient 08.04.20. 

1.19.21 Spr 2021

Research Priorities ALL RPs due to MS 01.19.21. 1.5.20 Spr 2021

Packaging 

substances used in 

organic food 

handling - including 

BPA

AB Submitted briefing paper to NOP 1.12.14. Response 

memo from NOP sent to HS 11.19.14. TR in 

development, expected mid-Sep -delayed. TR received 

9.30.16. In review by the program. TR sent to HS 

10.19.16. TR sufficiency due 12.20.16. TR found 

TBD Discussion 

doc

On hold
*Highlight indicates committee action needed. *Highlight indicates review completion and/or vote

 

2023 Sunset Review: TR Requests (July 2020), Summary (Spr 2021), Review (Fall 2021)

insufficient 12.20.16. Vote: 2.21.17. New TR in 

development. Expected July 2017. TR received 7.10.17. 

Response due 09.8.17. TR found sufficient 8.1.17. ON 

HOLD. 

Nutrient Vitamins 

and Minerals - 

annotation change

? 2011 NOSB recommendation DHA

2011 NOSB recommendation ARA

Pending NOP Approval. Approved for addition to the 

work agenda 1.12.16. ON HOLD pending NOP action.

TBD TBD

Substance National

List Contact TRRequest? Notes*

Scheduled,

Discussed, 

Voted

Target

meeting

Agar-agar 205.605(a) KH N Sunset date: 5/29/2023

2011 TR

2016/Fall - Rec to Renew

1.19.21 Summary: 

Spr 2021 

Review: 

Fall 2021

Animal enzymes 205.605(a) KH N Sunset date: 5/29/2023

2011 TR Enzymes

2015 TR Enzymes

2016/Fall - Rec to Renew

1.19.21

Calcium sulfate -

mined

205.605(a) WT N Sunset date: 5/29/2023

2001 TR

2016/Fall - Rec to Renew

1.19.21 “

Carrageenan 205.605(a) AB/JD N Sunset date: 5/29/2023

2011 TR

2016 TR

2016/Fall - Rec to Renew

2.2.21 “

Glucono delta-lactone 205.605(a) WT/ARB N Sunset date: 5/29/2023

2016 TR

2016/Fall - Rec to Renew

2.16.21 “

Tartaric acid 205.605(a) SE N Sunset date: 5/29/2023

2011 TR

2016/Fall - Rec to Renew

12.15.20 “

Cellulose 205.605(b) SR N Sunset date: 11/3/2023

2016 TR

2016/Fall - Rec to Renew

12.15.20 “

Chlorine materials

(i) Calcium 

hypochlorite.

(ii) Chlorine dioxide.

(iii) Hypochlorous 

acid—generated from 

electrolyzed water.

(iv) Sodium 

hypochlorite

205.605(b) AB N Sunset date: 1/28/2024

2015 TR Hypochlorous Acid

2016/Spr Rec to ADD

1.19.21
Potassium hydroxide 205.605(b) SE N Sunset date: 5/29/2023

2016 TR

2016/Fall - Rec to Renew

12.15.20 “

Silicon dioxide 205.605(b) SR N Sunset date: 5/29/2023

2010 TR

2016/Fall - Rec to Renew

1.5.21 “

Potassium lactate 205.605(b) JD N Sunset date: 1/28/2024

2015 TR (Lactic Acid, Sodium 

Lactate, and Potassium 

Lactate)

2016/Spring - Rec to ADD

12.1.20 “

Sodium lactate 205.605(b) JD N Sunset date: 1/28/2024

2015 TR (Lactic Acid, Sodium 

Lactate, and Potassium 

Lactate) 

2016/Spring - Rec to ADD

12.1.20 “

Spring 2021 Milestones Target dates (tentative)

NOP - Publish FRN, Open public comment ~Nov 15, 2020

NOSB - Spring 2021 proposals due to NOP Feb 18, 2021

New NOSB member training TBD

NOP - Draft Spring 2021 NOSB meeting tentative agenda Feb 2, 2021

NOP - Post proposals Mar 3, 2021

Public comment closes Apr 1, 2021

NOP - Send compiled public comments to NOSB Apr 6, 2021

Public comment webinars Apr 20 & 22, 2021

Spring 2021 NOSB meeting - Crystal City, VA Apr 28 - 30, 2021