National Organic Standards Board

Handling Subcommittee 

Petitioned Material Proposal

Collagen Gel

February 21, 2019

Summary of Petition 2018: 

https://www.ams.usda.gov/sites/default/files/media/CollagenGelPetition.pdf

A petition has been submitted by Devro, Inc. to add collagen gel at 7 CFR 205.606, nonorganically 

produced agricultural products allowed as ingredients in or on processed products labeled as “organic.” 

The NOP defines an agricultural product as “any agricultural commodity or product, whether raw or 

processed, including any commodity or product derived from livestock...”. 

The petitioned use is to produce sausage using a co-extrusion system. In these systems, collagen gel 

enrobes the sausage meat like a casing as the meat is extruded and holds the form of the meat product.

Summary of Review:

Based on the review of the petition and the 2019 Technical Report 

(https://www.ams.usda.gov/sites/default/files/media/CollagenGelGelatinCasingsTechnicalReport01282

019.pdf), collagen is a naturally occurring and abundant animal protein that is isolated from livestock 

and maritime (fish) sources. Collagen gel is derived from animal skins with some processing. The 

Handling Subcommittee had extensive discussions about whether the processing to produce collagen 

gel constituted a change to the chemical structure and might be considered non-agricultural. The 

Subcommittee ultimately concluded that the material is agricultural and eligible for listing at §205.606. 

Cellulose powder, derived from plant sources, is an ancillary substance in collagen gel. Cellulose adds 

permeability to the sausage’s skin, allowing for the release of the meat emulsion’s oil and fats during the 

sausage’s cooking process. In finished collagen gel, cellulose is present in the range of 2 - 5%, depending 

on targeted product characteristics. Cellulose is currently approved for use as a synthetic substance “in 

regenerative casings [extruded collagen casing that is dried prior to use], as an anti-caking agent (nonchlorine bleached) and filtering aid,” and for processed products labeled “organic” or “made with 

organic,” at 7 CFR 205.605. 

Collagen gel can be used in organic sausage production using a co-extrusion system. Typical products 

using this ingredient include cooked and smoked sausages. In these coextrusion systems, collagen gel 

enrobes the sausage meat like a casing as the meat is extruded and holds the form of the meat product. 

The collagen gel is considered an ingredient in the finished product. Collagen casings and gels are GRAS 

(Generally Recognized as Safe) for use in sausages and meat products. 

Collagen gel has no known toxicities and breaks down into its constituent amino acids upon digestion. It 

has no environmental persistence and use of collagen is unlikely to have any adverse impact on the 

environment. Collagen is harvested from the skins of edible species of commercially harvested livestock 

processed at USDA inspected facilities following all pertinent regulations. It is a co-product of the animal 

production industry, thereby providing a raw material that otherwise has less value. 

The Handling Subcommittee voted to classify the material as agricultural and list the material under 

205.606. 

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Category 1: Classification 

1. Substance is for: X Handling _______ Livestock

2. For HANDLING and LIVESTOCK use:

a. Is the substance ___X___ Agricultural or ______ Non-Agricultural?

 Describe reasoning for this decision using NOP 5033-2 as a guide:

Collagen gels are derived from the corium layer of skins from cows, pigs, chickens and/ or 

turkeys and also maritime sources. The isolation process includes the partial hydrolysis of the 

protein, typically achieved with acid or base treatment, homogenization, and further 

denaturation with acid before final extrusion to form manufactured casings or coextrusion for 

direct application to extruded sausage batter.

The Handling Subcommittee had extensive discussions about whether processing steps to 

produce collagen gel constituted a change to the source protein chemical structure and might

be considered non-agricultural. Because protein denaturation results from the disruption of

non-covalent bonds that maintain the three-dimensional structure of the original protein, but 

leaves the peptide bonds intact, the Subcommittee ultimately concluded that the material has 

not been chemically changed and is thus agricultural.

In summary, based on the NOP 5033-2 decision tree, the material is derived from an animal; the 

substance is not a microorganism or enzyme, and not a product of a microorganism or an 

enzyme; the substance has not been processed to the extent that its chemical structure has 

been changed, and therefore is classified as agricultural.

3. For Handling use: Is the substance _X_ Non-synthetic or __ Synthetic? 

Is the substance formulated or manufactured by a process that chemically changes a substance 

extracted from naturally occurring plant, animal, or mineral sources? 

As noted above, the Handling Subcommittee had extensive discussions about whether 

processing steps to produce collagen gel constituted a change to the chemical structure and 

might be considered non-agricultural. Because protein denaturation results from the disruption 

of non-covalent bonds that maintain the three-dimensional structure of the original protein, but 

leaves the peptide bonds intact, the Subcommittee ultimately concluded that the material has 

not been chemically changed and is thus agricultural

Category 2: Adverse Impacts 

1. What is the potential for the substance to have detrimental chemical interactions with other 

materials used in organic farming systems?

There is little potential for the substance to have detrimental chemical interactions with other 

materials used in organic farming systems.

2. What is the toxicity and mode of action of the substance and of its breakdown products or any 

containments, and their persistence and areas of concentration in the environment?

There is no known toxicity of collagen gel. It is an edible product produced from animal skins.

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3. Describe the probability of environmental contamination during manufacture, use, misuse or 

disposal of such substance.

There is little probability of environmental contamination during manufacture, use, misuse, or 

disposal of collagen gel. Because the proposed petition is for nonorganically produced collagen 

gel, the material may be sourced from conventionally raised animals that have been fed GMO 

grain treated with pesticides as well as other materials not allowed in organic husbandry, such 

as antibiotic use. 

4. Discuss the effect of the substance on human health. 

Collagen gel is a food product with no known health effects.

5. Discuss any effects the substance may have on biological and chemical interactions in the 

agroecosystem, including the physiological effects of the substance on soil organisms.

Collagen gel is unlikely to have any effects on biological and chemical interactions in the 

agroecosystem, including physiological effects on soil organisms.

6. Are there any adverse impacts on biodiversity?

Conventional production of animals used as source material for collagen gel may employ 

agricultural practices that adversely impact biodiversity. However, additional processing of 

these resources into collagen gel for organic sausage production will not add additional burdens 

on the environment.

Category 3: Alternatives/Compatibility 

1. Are there alternatives to using the substance? Evaluate alternative practices as well as nonsynthetic and synthetic available materials. [§6518(m)(6)]

Current options (casings, from processed intestines) will not function in this type of co-extrusion 

sausage production system. Nonorganically produced casings are allowed in sausages labeled as 

“organic” or “made with organic”. 

Category 5: Additional criteria for agricultural substances used in Handling (review of commercial 

unavailability of organic sources): 

1. Is the comparative description as to why the non-organic form of the material /substance is 

necessary for use in organic handling provided? 

An organic form of collagen gel would be expected to perform similarly to nonorganic forms.

Availability of organic collagen gel is a limiting factor.

2. Does the current and historical industry information, research, or evidence provided explain how 

or why the material /substance cannot be obtained organically in the appropriate form to fulfill an 

essential function in a system of organic handling?

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The form of available nonorganic versus organic animal source material for collagen gel is not 

relevant to the petitioned request for this material. 

3. Does the current and historical industry information, research, or evidence provided explain how 

or why the material /substance cannot be obtained organically in the appropriate quality to fulfill 

an essential function in a system of organic handling?

The quality of available nonorganic versus organic animal source material for collagen gel is not 

relevant to the petitioned request for this material. 

4. Does the current and historical industry information, research, or evidence provided explain how 

or why the material /substance cannot be obtained organically in the appropriate quantity to fulfill 

an essential function in a system of organic handling?

According to the petitioner, collagen gel could theoretically be formed using skins from certified 

organic sources were they readily available in mass quantity and an identity preservation system in 

place. However, the quantity of organically raised animals required to satisfy the market demand 

may not exist. Organic options for collagen gel for meat production were not found based on 

internet searches and review of the USDA integrity database. Allowing the use of collagen gel 

could increase the market for organic meat and improve the potential for there to be sufficient 

organically raised animals to provide collagen gel source material. Under §205.606, future 

availability of organic collagen gel source materials are encouraged.

5. Does the industry information about unavailability include (but is not limited to) the following?:

Regions of production (including factors such as climate and number of regions);

a. Number of suppliers and amount produced;

Number of suppliers and amount produced is not readily available.

b. Current and historical supplies related to weather events such as hurricanes, floods, and 

droughts that may temporarily halt production or destroy crops or supplies;

No information is available on the impact of weather events.

c. Trade-related issues such as evidence of hoarding, war, trade barriers, or civil unrest that 

may temporarily restrict supplies; or

No trade-related issues are available.

d. Other issues which may present a challenge to a consistent supply?

None.

6. In balancing the responses to the criteria in Categories 2, 3 and 5, is the substance compatible with 

a system of sustainable agriculture [§6518(m)(7)] and compatible with organic handling? (see 

NOSB Recommendation, Compatibility with Organic Production and Handling, April 2004) 

Yes, the substance increases opportunities to produce organic sausages and meat products that 

are not possible using existing production aids, and in particular allows production of singleNOSB April 2019 proposals and discussion documents Page 106 of 239
species products that can meet the needs and preferences of different consumer populations, 

thereby expanding opportunities and markets to produce organically certified livestock. Collagen 

gel is used in similar fashion to casings, already listed under §205.606(b).

Collagen gel has no known toxicities and breaks down into its constituent amino acids upon 

digestion. It has no environmental persistence and use of collagen gel is unlikely to have any 

additional adverse impact on the environment. Collagen is harvested from the skins of edible 

species of commercially harvested livestock processed at USDA inspected facilities following all 

pertinent regulations. Because source material for production of collagen is usually produced from 

nonorganically raised livestock, there may be environmental and human health impacts from 

materials used to produce nonorganic grain and livestock. However, it is a co-product of the 

animal production industry, thereby providing a raw material that otherwise has less value, and 

helps support markets for organically produce meats. 

In summary, listing of collagen gel could help build a bigger market for organically produced meat 

and is consistent with current regulations allowing up to 5% of nonorganic materials in processed 

food products labeled as “organic” or 30% in products labeled as “made with organic”. Listing of 

collagen gel is also consistent with the current listing of gelatin and casings as nonorganically 

produced animal products. Under §205.606, future availability of organic collagen gel source 

materials are encouraged.

Classification Motion: 

Motion to classify Collagen gel as agricultural.

Motion by: Asa Bradman

Seconded by: Harriet Behar

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

National List Motion: 

Motion to add collagen gel as petitioned at §205.606. 

Motion by: Asa Bradman

Seconded by: Tom Chapman

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

Approved by Asa Bradman, Subcommittee Chair, to transmit to NOSB, February 24, 2019

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