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Calcium Chloride (2023 Sunset Crops)

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 CALCIUM CHLORIDE
Prohibited except as a foliar spray to treat a physiological disorder associated with calcium uptake such as bitter pit in apples, fruit cracking on developing figs, and blossom end rot on tomatoes. §205.602
1.Is your operation certified organic?
2.Is calcium chloride included in your organic system plan?
3.Which types of organic products do you produce using calcium chloride? (e.g., lettuces, fruit trees)
4.What function does calcium chloride provide and why is it necessary? (identify the specific disease its used to control)
5.With what frequency does your operation use calcium chloride? (e.g., seldom, as needed when a certain condition arises, routinely, etc.)
6.Have you tried using any other substances as an alternative to calcium chloride? (e.g., other substances that are on the National List and/or other natural substances)
7.Please comment on the accuracy of this statement, “Since bitter pit of apples is a calcium deficit disorder, an alternate form of calcium, such as limestone, gypsum, or rock phosphate, could be used.”
8.Are there any other management practices that would eliminate the need for calcium chloride? (e.g., mechanical or physical practices; alternative harvest or storage practices).
9.How would your organic production be impacted if calcium chloride was no longer allowed? (describe the agronomic, environmental or human health effects, product quality, economic effects)
10.On a scale from 1 to 5 stars, rate the overall necessity of calcium chloride 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 by Sept 30th directly to the NOSB via Regulations.gov.

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