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Carbon Dioxide (2024 Sunset Handling)

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 anonymously via the Organic Trade Association’s comments. Please do not include any confidential business information. For more information on the NOSB Meeting and comment opportunities, please visit OTA.com/NOSB.

This survey is for the substance CARBON DIOXIDE
§205.605(b)
Allowed for various uses in food processing such as: modified atmosphere packaging and storage, beverage carbonation, extracting agent, and pest control.
1.Is your operation certified organic?
2.Is Carbon Dioxide (CO2) included in your organic system plan?
3.Which types of organic products do you use CO2 in/on? (e.g., yogurt, fruit juices, baked goods, etc.)
4.What function does CO2 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 CO2? (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. Are there ancillary substances used in CO2?
7.Have you tried using any other substances as an alternative to CO2? (e.g. other natural or organic substances)
8.Are there any other management practices that would eliminate the need for CO2?
9.How would your organic handling be impacted if CO2 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 CO2 for your organic operation:
Unnecessary (don’t need it at all)
Neutral (nice to have but could live without it)
Critical (would leave organic without it)
11.You are strongly encouraged to submit your own comments to NOSB. See ota.com/nosb for instructions. 

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.