What Ingredients Are Allowed in Organic Diets?
Certified organic crops serve as the base feedstuffs for organic livestock
nutrition. However, the use of some synthetic substances is allowed in organic
pork production. Synthetic substances allowed under the National Standards
on Organic Agricultural Production and Handling (2000) and non-synthetic substances
may be used as feed additives and supplements. While not prominently stated
in the National Standards, FDA-approved forms of vitamins and minerals are
allowed in organic diets even though they may not be considered natural substances
or appear on the national list of Synthetic Substances Allowed for use in
Organic Production. Use of these ingredients in the formulation of organic
diets may have economic and nutritional benefits.
Consult the national organic standards and your certifying agency for specifics
on allowances during the period of conversion to organic status.
Synthetic Substances Allowed in Feeds for Organic Certification
Electrolytes without antibiotics – used to treat dehydration
due to diarrhea in young pigs
Magnesium sulfate – used as a laxative agent for gestating and
lactating sows
Milk replacers without antibiotics – used for disadvantaged,
starving piglets but must not contain non-milk products or milk products from
BST-treated cows
Copper sulfate – an inorganic copper source used for trace mineral
supplementation
Vitamins – FDA approved synthetic vitamins used for enrichment
or diet fortification. However, natural sources such as sprouted grains and
brewer’s yeast may be preferred by some certifying agencies.
Non-synthetic (Natural) substances allowed for use in organic livestock
production
Citric acid – used to acidify baby pig diets
Bentonite – used as a pellet binder and may be effective in reducing
adverse performance effects due to mycotoxin contamination of grain.
Calcium carbonate and calcium chloride – an inorganic source
of supplemental calcium
Enzymes – derived from edible, nontoxic plants, nonpathogenic
fungi, or nonpathogenic bacteria (It is not clear whether some forms of microbial
phytase may be used to improve phosphorus digestibility of grain.)
Potassium chloride – used as a laxative agent for gestating and
lactating sows
Potassium iodide – an inorganic iodine supplement
Non-synthetic, non-GMO yeast – a feed additive
Flavors – non-synthetic sources only and must not be produced
using synthetic solvents and carrier systems or any artificial preservatives
Dried skim milk and dried whey – these ingredients can be used
only if derived from organically produced milk
NOTE: Some of the above materials may be used only with permission
from the certifying agency. In some certifying organizations, seaweed, kelp
meal, natural rock powders, and molasses are preferred sources of trace minerals.
Documentation and Records
The Federal Organic Standard defines records as any information in written,
visual, or electronic form that documents the activities undertaken by a producer,
handler, or certifying agent to comply with the Act and regulations in this
part. The records are to be kept as an audit trail that will allow for the
tracing of the sources of animals, sources of feed and amounts fed, forage,
feed supplements, treatments, medications, and animal health.
Documentation begins with birth or purchase of the animals. Specific information
will include: date born, date purchased, date sold, date died, date bred,
date farrowed, and date weaned. If animals are sold, list buyer’s name.
If the animal is to be slaughtered, then the date of slaughter, processor’s
name, and markets sold to must be listed. The medical documentation will include
the diagnosis of diseases, date of treatment, medication and dosage used,
time of withdrawal period, and copies of all medication labels.
Documentation of the feeding program requires listing diet formulations,
feed ingredient sources, date of purchases, copies of ingredient labels, and
locations where the feed is stored. For on-farm grown ingredients, records
of seeding date, seeding location, organic certification of land used, date
harvested, where processed, and storage facilities used are required.
The reason for such thorough records is to ensure that no co-mingling of
non-organic livestock or feed ingredients occurs, allowable medications are
identified, and that proper medical attention has been given to sick animals
regardless of certification status. These records also give the farmer a paper
trail to prove that his or her animals have been raised according to certified
practices.
