Listing and annotation: Kelp—for use only as a thickener and dietary supplement
Use: As a nonorganically produced agricultural products allowed as an ingredient in or on processed products labeled as “organic" only when the product is not commercially available in organic form.
Common applications: Recovered from the giant Pacific matine plant Macrocystis pyriferae. Used as seasonings or flavorings and to provide iodine when used in dietary foods. It has many minerals that are associated with seawater and as a result is very high in sodium. The FDA residue tolerance is less than 0.225 mg per day without refererence to age or physical state. It is a source of iodine in foods for special dietary use. The Japanes report that kelp reduced normal thyroid function probably because of its iodine content. GRAS with GMP.
Reference: 7 CFR 205.606
Date listed: 2002
Sunset Date: 6/27/2017