Can Fertilizers Labeled Organic Be Used for Certified Organic Produce?
Not ALL – Only if they are “certified organic” by a organization authorized to do the certifying, like OMRI. Even though the National Organic Program (NOP) regulation has been fully implemented, the USDA does not control the labeling of fertilizers. NOP regulations do not apply to fertilizers and soil amendments. Fertilizer label claims are regulated by state fertilizer control officials, who belong to the Association of American Plant Food Control Officials (AAPFCO). Under AAPFCO’s definitions the word “organic” has more to do with organic chemistry (presence of carbon) than with organic agriculture. The AAPFCO guidelines allow use of the word “organic” on fertilizers that may contain urea, sewage sludge (biosolids) and other substances prohibited under NOP regulations – perfectly legal and useable as advertised, but not on NOP Organic food products. AAPFCO currently allows the terms “organic fertilizer”, “natural organic fertilizer”, “natural fertilizer”, and “organic base fertilizer
