National Organic Standards Board

Handling Subcommittee Proposal

Reclassification of Magnesium Chloride

December 19, 2017

Summary of Proposed Action:

The Handling Subcommittee proposes to change the classification of magnesium chloride from a 

nonagricultural synthetic substance to a nonagricultural non-synthetic substance and move the 

substance from §205.605(b) to §205.605(a) of the National List.

Subcommittee Review:

During the 2015 sunset review, magnesium chloride was recommended for continued listing on the 

National List but issues related to classification were raised. The Handling Subcommittee requested 

public comment on whether or not this material should be reclassified as non-synthetic since it is simply 

derived from sea water by brine drying, with no ancillary substances. Public comment at the time 

supported the reclassification of magnesium chloride as non-synthetic and that it be moved from 

§205.605(b) to §205.605(a). However, information provided in the 2016 TR indicates that magnesium 

chloride can be produced both synthetically and non-synthetically, and the annotation “derived from 

seawater” can apply to both. 

Magnesium chloride produced by reacting a magnesium compound or mineral with hydrochloric acid is 

considered synthetic. This is because the substance undergoes a chemical change so that it is chemically 

or structurally different from how it naturally occurs in the source material. (TR 2016, 352- 354)

Natural sources of magnesium chloride can be extracted by various means which may affect the 

classification of the final substance as synthetic or non-synthetic. Evaporation and crystallization are 

physical processes which do not result in chemical change. Magnesium chloride extracted from brine by 

the two-step process involving calcium hydroxide and carbon dioxide is not chemically or structurally 

different from how it naturally occurs in the source material. (TR 2016, 352-361)

During the 2017 sunset review of magnesium chloride, information from the 2016 TR was incorporated 

into the review. A series of questions was posed to the public requesting feedback on the impact of 

reclassification in regards to feasibility of moving its listing, sufficiency of supply, and functionality. Most 

public comment was focused on retaining magnesium chloride on the National List due to its essentiality 

in tofu production, as well as in infant formula and dietary supplements. Public comment that addressed 

the reclassification included: Two certifiers who commented that reclassification would result in a small 

impact on users; one manufacturer who uses the material was supportive of reclassification with the 

current annotation; one organization supported reclassification if the material was found to be nonsynthetic and suggested an annotation restricting its use to making tofu, and one organization who 

requested clarification on which forms would become prohibited as a result of reclassification. 

Evaluation questions #1 and #2 in the 2016 TR go into detail about where and how magnesium chloride 

can be produced non-synthetically from a variety of natural commercial sources including seawater, 

terminal lake brines, subsurface brine deposits, and mined mineral deposits. The Handling 

Subcommittee compared these processes to the Decision Tree for Classification of Materials as 
Synthetic or Nonsynthetic (NOP 5033-1) and determined that magnesium chloride produced via these 

sources does not go through any chemical changes, and therefore is non-synthetic. 

The Handling Subcommittee proposes that magnesium chloride remain on the National List. However, 

the Subcommittee is bringing forward this proposal to change the listing from §205.605(b) to 

§205.605(a) due to the determination that magnesium chloride is available in a non-synthetic form. 

Additionally, the Handling Subcommittee proposes the annotation “derived from seawater” is removed 

since there are multiple sources from which non-synthetic magnesium chloride can be derived. 

Vote in Subcommittee:

Motion to remove the annotation that reads “derived from seawater”, and to reclassify magnesium 

chloride as non-synthetic and move it’s listing from §205.605(b) to §205.605(a)

Motion by: Lisa de Lima

Seconded by: Steve Ela 

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

Approved by Lisa de Lima, Handling Subcommittee Chair, to transmit to NOSB February 21, 2018