How do I determine whether my product/ingredient is synthetic or nonsynthetic?
The USDA organic regulations define synthetic as such: A substance that is formulated or manufactured by a chemical process or by a process that chemically changes a substance extracted from naturally occurring plant, animal, or mineral sources, except that such term shall not apply to substances created by naturally occurring biological processes. The task to determine whether something is synthetic can be very technical. We recommend these steps to help you decide whether a substance is synthetic. • Look for your substance in the Generic Materials List within the OMRI Standards Manual. This list specifies whether synthetic or nonsynthetic versions of those substances exist and whether they are permissible for use in organic agriculture or food processing. We present the Generic Materials List in three sections: CROPS, LIVESTOCK, and PROCESSING & HANDLING based on the intended use of a product. Be sure to search in the appropriate section based on the intended use of your product. • I
The USDA organic regulations define synthetic as such: A substance that is formulated or manufactured by a chemical process or by a process that chemically changes a substance extracted from naturally occurring plant, animal, or mineral sources, except that such term shall not apply to substances created by naturally occurring biological processes. The task to determine whether something is synthetic can be very technical. We recommend these steps to help you decide whether a substance is synthetic. • Look for your substance in the Generic Materials List within the OMRI Policy and Standards Manual. This list specifies whether synthetic or nonsynthetic versions of those substances exist and whether they are permissible for use in organic agriculture or food processing. We present the Generic Materials List in three sections: CROPS, LIVESTOCK, and PROCESSING & HANDLING based on the intended use of a product. Be sure to search in the appropriate section based on the intended use of your p
