FORMAL RECOMMENDATION BY THE

NATIONAL ORGANIC STANDARDS BOARD (NOSB)

TO THE NATIONAL ORGANIC PROGRAM (NOP)

Date: _ 11/5/09 ____

Subject: Peracetic Acid / Peroxyacetic Acid (CAS # 79-21-0) Sunset Review ___

Chair: __Jeff Moyer ______________

Recommendation

The NOSB hereby recommends to the NOP the following:

Rulemaking Action: ___X __

Guidance Statement: ________

Other: ________

Summary Statement of the Recommendation (including Recount of Vote):

Peracetic acid, with it’s annotations, was reviewed for sunset by the NOSB at the November 2009 

meeting. A summary of the Handling committee’s recommendation is attached. No comments 

were received during the meeting that disagreed with the committee’s recommendation. Support 

for relisting this material focused on peracetic acid being a more benign and environmentally 

friendly alternative to chlorine, and it’s role as an important food safety tool for organic handlers.

The NOSB voted to recommend relisting of Peracetic Acid / Peroxyacetic Acid (CAS # 79-21-0) 

for use in wash and/or rinse water according to FDA limitations. For use as a sanitizer on food 

contact surfaces - on §205.605(b) with 13 voting yes, 0 no votes and 2 absent.

NOSB Vote: Motion: Steve DeMuri Second: Julie Weisman

Board vote: Yes - 13 No- 0 Abstain- 0 Absent - 2 

Summary Rationale Supporting Recommendation (including consistency with OFPA and 

NOP):

Response by the NOP:
National Organic Standards Board

Handling Committee Recommendation for §205.605(b)

Sunset of Peracetic Acid / Peroxyacetic Acid (CAS # 79-21-0)

August 18, 2009

I. List: 

National Organic Program Subpart G: The National List of Allowed and Prohibited 

Substances. §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)).”

(b) Synthetics allowed 

(c) Committee Summary: 

Peracetic Acid / Peroxyacetic Acid (CAS # 79-21-0) was added to the National List (Federal 

Register Vol. 71, No. 175) §205.605(b) on September 11, 2006. This addition was based on 

a review of peracetic acid by the NOSB at their November 15-17, 2000 meeting. The NOP in 

the Proposed Rule (Federal Register Vol. 70, No. 179) added peroxyacetic acid to the listing 

because FDA regulations refer to this material as peroxyacetic acid (21 CFR 173.315); using 

both common names for this product was intended to avoid confusion. This is the first time 

that peracetic acid / peroxyacetic acid has been reviewed through the sunset process. 

Peracetic acid / peroxyacetic acid is used in the food industry as a sanitizer. It is used to 

control deposits, odor, biofilms from food contact surfaces and as a microbial control agent 

for both food contact surfaces and direct contact with fruit and vegetables.

The TAP review of peracetic acid / peroxyacetic acid (CAS # 79-21-0) was completed in 

November 2000. All reviewers of the TAP review agreed that this material was synthetic but 

should be allowed with annotation for use in organic handling. Generally the reviewers 

acknowledged that the control of food-borne pathogens was a concern. While alternatives 

existed to this material each alternative had drawbacks when compared to peracetic acid / 

peroxyacetic acid. In the case of steam or hot water, their ability to disinfect and sanitize was 

limited with certain types of food, equipment and surfaces. In the case of the sanitizers and 

disinfectants previously recommended for inclusion on the National List, peracetic acid / 

peroxyacetic acid was viewed by the reviewers as being no worse with regards to human 

health but more benign environmentally because acetic acid and hydrogen peroxide were the 

primary breakdown products from its use. Additionally, the TAP review showed that in some 

applications this material was more effective than the sanitizers previously recommended by 

the NOSB for inclusion on the National List.

The NOSB has received eleven public comments in support of, and no public comments 

opposed to, the relisting peracetic acid / peroxyacetic acid in response to the Federal register 

notice of the sunset of this material (AMS-TM-07-0136). No public comments have been 

received opposing the continued use of peracetic acid / peroxyacetic acid in organic handling.

(d) Committee Recommendations

The Handling Committee recommends the continued listing of Peracetic Acid / Peroxyacetic 

Acid (CAS # 79-21-0) on §205.605(b). 

Moved: Heinze Second: Miedema

Committee Vote: Yes- 5 No- 0 Absent- 1 Abstain- 0 Recuse- 0