Updated June 17, 2010 

Formal Recommendation by the 

National Organic Standards Board (NOSB) 

to the National Organic Program (NOP)

Date: April 29, 2011

Subject: Potassium Iodide 605(a) Sunset

Chair: Tracy Miedema

 

 

The NOSB hereby recommends to the NOP the following: 

Rulemaking Action X

Guidance Statement .

Other

Statement of the Recommendation (Including Recount of Vote): 

To relist: 

Potassium Iodide

on § 205.605(a) of the National List.

 

Rationale Supporting Recommendation (including consistency with 

OFPA and NOP): 

Review of the original recommendation, a 2011 technical report, historical 

documents, and public comments does not reveal unacceptable risks to the 

environment, human, or animal health as a result of the use or manufacture of 

this material. There is no new information contradicting the original 

recommendation which was the basis for the previous NOSB decision to list 

this material. The board received one public comment in support of KI’s 

continued listing to 605(a), and none opposed. 

NOSB Vote:

Moved: Steve DeMuri Second: Mac Stone

Yes: 14 No: 0 Abstain: 0 Absent: 0 Recusal: 0
National Organic Standards Board 

Handling Committee 

Sunset 2012 Proposed Recommendation 

Potassium Iodide on § 205.605(a) 

April 29, 2011 

List: 205.605 Nonagricultural (nonorganic) substances allowed as ingredients in or on 

processed products labeled as “organic” or “made with organic (specified ingredients 

or food group(s)).” 

(a) Nonsynthetics allowed 

Potassium Iodide 

Committee Summary 

According to FDA, potassium iodide may be used as food additive and can serve the following 

functions: 

 A nutrient in table salt as a source of iodine. 

 A dietary supplement for human consumption and in animal feeds. 

 A sanitizing agent for food processing equipment. 

Potassium iodide is listed on the National List of Allowed and Prohibited Substance in both 

§205.605 (a) Nonsynthetics allowed and (b) Synthetics allowed (including nutrient vitamins and 

minerals, in accordance with 21CFR 104.20, Nutritional Quality Guidelines for Foods). In 

addition, KI may be allowed under §205.603 (d) (2), as feed additives (trace minerals, used for 

enrichment or fortification when FDA approved). This sunset recommendation only relates to 

the 605(a) listing of this substance. 

KI can be both extracted from seaweeds or brines (nonsynthetic) and created through a 

number of chemical processes (synthetic). The 1995 technical review for this substance notes 

that KI extracted from brines is not commonly commercially available, but may be used in 

some applications. This assessment is confirmed by the 2011 technical report on KI. 

Accordingly, the substance is listed on both 605(a) and (b), with use of the synthetic version 

(on 605(b)) restricted to “Made with organic” products. 

Review of the original recommendation, a 2011 technical report, historical documents, and 

public comments does not reveal unacceptable risks to the environment, human, or animal 

health as a result of the use or manufacture of this material. There is no new information 

contradicting the original recommendation which was the basis for the previous NOSB decision 

to list this material. 

 
Potassium Iodide on § 205.605(a) April 29, 2011

Page 2 of 2

Committee Recommendation(s)

The handling committee recommends the renewal of the following substance in this use 

category as published in the final rule: 

Potassium Iodide 

Committee Vote 

Motion by: Joe Dickson Second: Katrina Heinze 

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