04.12.11
The Council for Responsible Nutrition (CRN), Washington, D.C., has submitted comments to USDA regarding its organic food fortification policy.
The following are comments from Douglas MacKay, ND, vice president, Scientific & Regulatory Affairs:
“CRN supports efforts to ensure that a fact-based understanding of consumer preference, expectations, and trends is used to accurately answer the question of consumer acceptance and desire for nutrient-enriched organic foods and their compatibility with organic handling systems. Organic consumers are increasingly choosing foods that contain added nutrients, vitamins and minerals to ensure they meet all of their individual nutritional requirements throughout all phases of life. Age, gender and dietary choices (vegetarian, vegan, etc.) lead consumers to seek a variety of sources of key nutrients such as vitamin B12, folic acid, potassium, calcium, iron, or omega-3 fatty acids. In fact, the 2010 Dietary Guidelines for Americans have identified that intake of several of these key nutrients is low enough to be considered a public health concern in the U.S. It would be unfortunate if consumers of organic foods were forced by federal policy to choose between the organic foods they desire or non-organic enriched foods that provide the added nutrients they seek. Fortification of organic foods with nutrients, vitamins and minerals allow these consumers choice in meeting all their nutritional needs.
“An overly restrictive fortification policy may have the unintended consequence of negatively impacting organic businesses, the certified farmers who produce organic foods and the retailers who sell organic products. Currently, organic foods are routinely fortified with nutrients, vitamins and minerals—best selling products include infant formula, breakfast cereals, nutrition bars, baby food, milk, dietary and herbal supplements and pet food. The Organic Trade Association estimates that fortified organic foods account for almost half a billion dollars in annual commodity ingredient and retail sales of certified organic products. It is important to protect those consumers who currently choose organic foods that are fortified with essential nutrients. Furthermore, a federal organic fortification policy that does not allow organic foods to be fully fortified seriously limits the growth potential of the industry and will limit innovation of novel products.
“In summary, CRN supports a ‘Yes’ vote on the proposed advisory committee recommendation to the USDA. CRN supports a policy that continues to allow for the use of vitamins, minerals and micronutrients as long as the fortification material is currently permitted for use in food products by the FDA. In addition, it is our opinion that the Handling Committee proposed recommendations would harmonize the rules on fortification, supplementation and enrichment of organic food products with the rules governing other foods in a manner that avoids unnecessary conflict with other statutes and governmental agencies.”
The following are comments from Douglas MacKay, ND, vice president, Scientific & Regulatory Affairs:
“CRN supports efforts to ensure that a fact-based understanding of consumer preference, expectations, and trends is used to accurately answer the question of consumer acceptance and desire for nutrient-enriched organic foods and their compatibility with organic handling systems. Organic consumers are increasingly choosing foods that contain added nutrients, vitamins and minerals to ensure they meet all of their individual nutritional requirements throughout all phases of life. Age, gender and dietary choices (vegetarian, vegan, etc.) lead consumers to seek a variety of sources of key nutrients such as vitamin B12, folic acid, potassium, calcium, iron, or omega-3 fatty acids. In fact, the 2010 Dietary Guidelines for Americans have identified that intake of several of these key nutrients is low enough to be considered a public health concern in the U.S. It would be unfortunate if consumers of organic foods were forced by federal policy to choose between the organic foods they desire or non-organic enriched foods that provide the added nutrients they seek. Fortification of organic foods with nutrients, vitamins and minerals allow these consumers choice in meeting all their nutritional needs.
“An overly restrictive fortification policy may have the unintended consequence of negatively impacting organic businesses, the certified farmers who produce organic foods and the retailers who sell organic products. Currently, organic foods are routinely fortified with nutrients, vitamins and minerals—best selling products include infant formula, breakfast cereals, nutrition bars, baby food, milk, dietary and herbal supplements and pet food. The Organic Trade Association estimates that fortified organic foods account for almost half a billion dollars in annual commodity ingredient and retail sales of certified organic products. It is important to protect those consumers who currently choose organic foods that are fortified with essential nutrients. Furthermore, a federal organic fortification policy that does not allow organic foods to be fully fortified seriously limits the growth potential of the industry and will limit innovation of novel products.
“In summary, CRN supports a ‘Yes’ vote on the proposed advisory committee recommendation to the USDA. CRN supports a policy that continues to allow for the use of vitamins, minerals and micronutrients as long as the fortification material is currently permitted for use in food products by the FDA. In addition, it is our opinion that the Handling Committee proposed recommendations would harmonize the rules on fortification, supplementation and enrichment of organic food products with the rules governing other foods in a manner that avoids unnecessary conflict with other statutes and governmental agencies.”
