Agar-Agar (2023 Sunset Handling) Survey

Sunset Survey

This survey is administered by the Organic Trade Association to assess the necessity/essentiality of substances used in organic production and processing that are undergoing NOSB Sunset Review. The information collected will be passed along to NOSB via the Organic Trade Association’s comments. Please do not include any confidential businesses information. For more information please visit OTA.com/NOSB.

This survey is for the substance AGAR-AGAR

Allowed for use in organic food processing as a stabilizer, thickener, gelling agent, texturizer, moisturizer, emulsifier, flavor enhancer, and absorbent. §205.605(a)

1.Is your operation certified organic?

Yes

2.Is agar-agar included in your organic system plan?

Yes

3.Which types of organic products do you use agar-agar in/on? (e.g., yogurt, fruit juices, baked goods, etc.)

4.What function does agar-agar provide in/on your organic products and why is it essential? (e.g., stabilizer, thickener, flavor, sanitizer, etc.)

5.With what frequency does your operation use agar-agar? (e.g., seldom, as needed when a certain condition arises, routinely, etc.)

6.NOSB collects information about the "ancillary substances" (e.g. carriers, preservatives, stabilizers) that may be used to formulate commercial forms of the substance. Please list any ancillary substances that are identified on the ingredient statement on the specification sheet that accompanies the substance you purchase.

7.Have you tried using any other substances as an alternative to agar-agar? (e.g. other natural or organic substances)

Yes

If yes, please describe your search and sourcing efforts, which substances you’ve tried and whether the quantity available was sufficient and/or whether the alternative substance had the quality and form necessary to fulfill the required function of the organic product or process.

8.Are there any other management practices that would eliminate the need for agar-agar?

Yes

If so, please describe the efficacy of the alternative management practices:

9.How would your organic handling be impacted if agar-agar was no longer allowed? (describe the effects on product quality, economic effects, environment effects, or human health effects)

10.On a scale from 1 to 5 stars, rate the overall necessity of agar-agar for your organic operation:

Unnecessary (don’t need it at all)

1 star

2 stars

Neutral (nice to have but could live without it)

3 stars

4 stars

Critical (would leave organic without it)

5 stars

11.You are strongly encouraged to submit your own comments by Sept 30th directly to the NOSB via Regulations.gov.

If you would like assistance or guidance in submitting comments to NOSB, please contact Gwendolyn Wyard at gwyard@ota.com or provide your contact information below and OTA will contact you directly.

Name

Company

Email Address

Phone Number