The USDA National Organic Program (NOP) intends to publish a notice in the Federal Register to address the listings for pectin on the National List of Allowed and Prohibited Substances (National List). The notice will allow certified operations to reformulate their products until Oct. 21, 2012, the original sunset date for pectin. 

On June 6, NOP published a final rule to address substances, including two listings for pectin, that were due to sunset or "expire" from the National List in 2012. The Sunset 2012 final rule removes the listing for "pectin -- low-methoxy" from the National List and revises the listing for "pectin -- high-methoxy" to read "pectin -- non-amidated forms only." In effect, the final rule requires that only non-amidated, non-organic pectin be used in organic processing if organic pectin is not commercially available. The effective date for the pectin amendments is June 27, 2012.   

After publication of this rule, organic handlers conveyed a need for timely product reformulation which may be necessary for organic products to comply with the new listing for pectin. NOP is informing certified operations through the forthcoming Federal Register notice that the Agricultural Marketing Service will allow operations to reformulate their products until Oct. 21, 2012.

The NOP facilitates trade and ensures integrity of organic agricultural products by consistently implementing organic standards and enforcing compliance with the regulations throughout the world. Learn more.