USDA issues 'correction' on oils in organic infant formula

摘要

USDA last week announced the "correction" of a 2006 decision by its National Organic Program (NOP) regarding synthetic oils added to organic infant formula. The new interpretation of the National Organic Standards, which is to be rendered later in the form of a publicly available guidance document, is based on new information from FDA, the department says in an April 27 news release.The action responds to a recently revived complaint by the Cornucopia Institute, a Wisconsin-based organic watchdog group, which claimed that NOP career regulatory staff initially determined in 2006 that the addition of the omega-3 fatty acid DHA (docosahexaenoic acid) and omega-6 ARA (arachidonic acid) to organic infant formula was illegal. However, the NOP's staff reportedly was overruled by Barbara Robinson, NOP director at the time (see FCN April 26, Page 28). Robinson has since been replaced by Miles McEvoy, who last September was named AMS deputy administrator with responsibility for the NOP.