SILVER SPRING, Md.—The American Herbal Products Association (AHPA) filed comments with USDA, supporting the agency’s draft guidance document that would allow the certification and labeling of soap products formulated and produced in accordance with federal National Organic Program (NOP) regulations to be “organic” or “made with” organic ingredients.
In its draft document, NOP noted the question of whether soap could be certified and labeled as organic under the Organic Foods Product Act (OFPA) has been a controversial one. However, it determined, “Soap products formulated using certified organic oils and materials included on the National List may be certified and labeled as ‘organic’ or ‘made with organic [specified ingredients].” NOP’s document also provides guidance regarding the requirements of the ingredient statement, which should list all organic and synthetic ingredients used in making the soap.
Michael McGuffin, president, AHPA, noted, “Our strong support for extending the NOP to include soap made from agricultural ingredients is consistent with our established position that the OFPA is best applied broadly to all organic products based on content and irrespective of end use.” He added AHPA is also hoping FDA and USDA will confer regarding possible conflicts in labeling requirements related to the labeling of organic starting materials and/or resulting reaction products.