Organic Handling Requirements & Approved Processing Aids
The NOP's handling standards (7 CFR § 205.270) establish what certified organic handlers must do — and equally importantly, what they must not do — in every stage of organic product processing. From the processing aids used on the production line to the non-organic ingredients permitted in a multi-ingredient organic product, the rules are specific, compliance-critical, and more nuanced than many handlers initially expect. The National List of Allowed and Prohibited Substances (7 CFR §§ 205.605–205.606) governs what processing aids and non-organic agricultural ingredients are permitted in organic handling operations. Understanding this list — and how it interacts with your certifier's approval process — is the foundation of organic handling compliance.
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