NOTICE: National Organic Standards Board Spring 2026 Meeting Regulations.gov Document ID:<a href="https://www.regulations.gov/document/FDA-2024-C-1085-0003" target="_self"> </a><a href="https://www.regulations.gov/document/AMS-NOP-25-0914-0001" target="_self">AMS-NOP-25-0914-0001</a> Comment Period: April 2, 2026 to May 4, 2026 Agency: USDA Agricultural Marketing Service
View the<a href="https://www.regulations.gov/user-notice" target="_self"> terms of participation</a> and<a href="https://www.regulations.gov/privacy-notice" target="_self"> privacy notice</a> for Regulations.gov. All comments made on<a href="http://regulations.gov" target="_self"> regulations.gov</a> action centers will be public comments, so we encourage action-takers not to include personally identifiable information in their messages.
BACKGROUND
What is the National Organic Standards Board?
The National Organic Standards Board (NOSB) is a Federal Advisory Board made up of 15 dedicated public volunteers from across the organic community. Established by the Organic Foods Production Act (OFPA) and governed by the Federal Advisory Committee Act (FACA), the NOSB considers and makes recommendations on a wide range of issues involving the production, handling, and processing of organic products. The NOSB also has special responsibilities related to the National List of Allowed and Prohibited Substances.
The NOSB generally meets twice per year at a public meeting to discuss the items on its work agenda, vote on proposals, and make recommendations to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary. The public is invited to participate.
The NOSB spring 2026 meeting will be held May 5 and 7 (virtual) and May 12 - 14 (in person). The deadline to submit written comments is 11:59PM ET, May 4, 2026.
National Organic Standards Board Meeting <a href="https://www.ams.usda.gov/sites/default/files/media/Agenda_NOSB_Spring2026_OmahaNE_External_508.pdf" target="_self">Agenda for Spring 2026</a>
GMO/Toxin Free USA is weighing in on three petitions submitted to the NOSB for consideration.
1. PETITION: Enartis USA Inc. <a href="https://www.ams.usda.gov/sites/default/files/media/2024ChitosanPetition.pdf" target="_self">submitted a petition</a> “to request the inclusion of Poly-D-Glucosamine derived from Aspergillus niger and more commonly known as chitosan, on the National List under Section 205.605 (b) as a nonagricultural (nonorganic) substance permitted in or on processed products labeled as ‘organic’ or ‘made with organic.’”
OUR POSITION: Chitosan is a chemically processed material. Its intended use as a processing agent or additive in winemaking is not necessary. We recommend the NOSB reject the Enartis chitosan petition.
2. PETITION: Trécé, Inc. <a href="https://www.ams.usda.gov/sites/default/files/media/PetitionPearEster.pdf" target="_self">submitted a petition</a> “to have 2,4-decadienoic acid, ethyl ester, (E,Z) added to §205.601 of the National List, a synthetic substance for use in monitoring, mating disruption products and control products. Pear ester is currently not on the National List because it is considered a kairomone and does not meet the qualifications of a pheromone. Kairomones are semiochemicals from organisms and plants that give insects key indications that assist in the decision of determining whether or not there is a suitable host plant… The intention and current use is to use pear ester as a pesticide to disrupt the mating behavior of Lepidoptera species… Application methods include full coverage spray and aerosolized release from an impregnated dispenser.”
OUR POSITION: Pear ester is a synthetic version of a primary aroma compound produced naturally in ripening Bartlet/Williams pears. It has been previously approved for organic growers for use as a pheromone, a type of pesticide. If it is approved again for use under the classification of kairomone, a prohibition must be in place for any applications involving encapsulation in plastics. Organic agriculture and food already have massive microplastics and plastic chemicals contamination problems. Using a pesticide that is encapsulated in plastic would only add more microplastics and toxic plastic chemicals into the environment and organic food.
3. PETITION: OrganicEye <a href="https://www.ams.usda.gov/sites/default/files/media/Memo_to_NOSB_eCommerce%20OrganicLabelingRequirements_OrganicEye_webpost.pdf" target="_self">submitted a petition</a> to “initiate a rulemaking process to amend the current organic labeling regulations to include a requirement that packaged organic agricultural products sold through online channels such as Amazon, Walmart, etc., and/or third-party resellers and merchants provide a visible image of the information identifying the organic certifier of the finished product.”
OUR POSITION: As stated in the petition, today over 160 million Americans will buy their groceries online and 58.6% have purchased groceries online. We agree that organic labeling regulations should mandate “that online retailers and resellers should have the obligation to make available to online shoppers the same label information currently required on all organic products to which traditional grocery shoppers have access, including the name of the accredited organic certifier of the finished product. If a 360° view of the product is not accessible and in a size in which the “fine print” on the label is easily read, then the currently required disclaimer identifying the certifier should be displayed prominently elsewhere on the primary webpage where the product is offered.” NOSB should approve Organic Eye’s petition.

National Organic Standards Board Spring 2026 Meeting

Organic food and the integrity of organic standards matter deeply to me because they directly impact my health, my family’s well-being, and my trust in the organic label. I am commenting on several petitions that the NOSB will be discussing during the spring 2026 meeting.

1. Chitosan is a chemically processed material. Its intended use as a processing agent or additive in winemaking is not necessary. Please reject the Enartis chitosan petition.

2. The proper classification of pear ester as a kairomone, instead of a pheromone, rendered its continued use under the pheromone category untenable in organic crop production. The petition is aimed at providing organic crop producers with pest management tools that were available to them prior to the reclassification. If pear ester is approved again, a prohibition must be in place for any applications involving encapsulation in plastics. Organic agriculture and food already have massive microplastics and plastic chemicals contamination problems. Using a pesticide that is encapsulated in plastic will only add more microplastics and toxic plastic chemicals into the environment and organic food.

3. Organic labeling regulations should mandate “that online retailers and resellers should have the obligation to make available to online shoppers the same label information currently required on all organic products to which traditional grocery shoppers have access, including the name of the accredited organic certifier of the finished product. If a 360° view of the product is not accessible and in a size in which the “fine print” on the label is easily read, then the currently required disclaimer identifying the certifier should be displayed prominently elsewhere on the primary webpage where the product is offered.”