This article was written by Alexis Baden-Mayer, Organic Consumers Association's Political Director. Take action to keep synthetic sulfites out of organic wine: Consumer Alert: Organic Wine Standards Under Attack.
The USDA organic standards exist to ensure consumers that the food and agricultural products they are purchasing have been produced without synthetic additives, pesticides or chemicals. A new proposed amendment to the organic regulations by Organic Vintners, a wine importer and retailer, seeks to weaken the USDA organic wine standards and allow the use of synthetically produced sulfites in organic wine.
Currently, the US upholds the strictest standards for organic wine in the world. Certified organic wine in the US can have no added sulfites and not more than 10ppm naturally occurring sulfites. Under the proposed amendment, up to 100ppm added sulfites would be allowed in USDA organic wines. This level is 30-100 times higher than normally occurring levels of naturally occurring sulfites (red wines usually have 0ppm and white wines 3-5ppm). This would confuse consumers who have come to expect USDA organic wines with no added sulfites.
Sulfites first came to public attention in 1988, when the World Health Organization required labeling of sulfites after a series of severe allergic reactions and deaths resulting from exposure to sulfites. Since that time, sulfite labeling on all food products sold in the United States is mandatory.
The importance of maintaining strict organic standards for wine under the USDA National Organic Program is underscored by recent controversy in Europe over the adoption of European Organic wine making Standards. In June 2010, the EU Commission for agriculture and rural development withdrew proposals for new regulations on organic wine due to debate about a limit for sulfites in wine. It seems that lobbying efforts aimed at allowing synthetics into organic wine are occurring all over the world. The US must uphold its standards to maintain the highest standard for organic wine and remain a world leader in the field.
Organic certification should be reserved for products that are made without the use of synthetics, as defined by the USDA. Upholding the integrity of the USDA organic standards supports producers who have taken the care to develop products that are truly organic, and allows consumers to choose with confidence.
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*OFPA, Sec. 2112 HANDLING
IN GENERAL-For a handling operation to be certified under this title, each person on such handling operation shall not, with respect to any agricultural product covered by this title
use any sulfites, except in the production of wine
NOP Sec. 205.301
All products labeled as “100 percent organic” or “organic” and all ingredients identified as “organic” in the ingredient statement of any product must not:
Contain sulfites, except, that, wine containing added sulfites may be labeled “made with organic grapes”
National List of Allowed and Prohibited Substances
Sec. 205.605 Nonagricultural substances allowed as ingredients in or on processed products labeled as “organic” or “made with organic ingredients”
Synthetics allowed:
Sulfur dioxide—for use only in wine labeled “made with organic grapes,” provided, that, total sulfite concentration does not exceed 100 ppm.
Paolo Mario Bonetti
President
Organic Vintners
Under current organic rules, organic wine with added synthetic sulfites is labeled "Made With Organic Grapes." This distinguishes it from organic wine labeled "USDA Organic," which contains no added synthetic sulfites.
Organic Vintners wants to label organic wine with added synthetic sulfites as "USDA Organic." If they are successful, consumers will no longer be able to rely on the "USDA Organic" seal to prevent exposure to synthetic sulfites.
The NOP does NOT allow wine labeled “made with organic grapes” to contain up to 30% non-organic grapes. Only ingredients that are not advertised on the front panel as "organic" in a multi-ingredient product may be used in organic and non-organic forms. Therefore, if the wine says "made with organic grapes," it may not contain non-organic grapes.
According to the June 2009 "GUIDELINES FOR LABELING Wine With Organic References"
Document TTB P 5190.11— http://www.ams.usda.gov/AMSv1.0/getfile?dDocName=STELPRDC5077433 Page 4
“When labeling your product as “Made with Organic Ingredients”, it must contain at least 70 percent organically produced ingredients, not counting added water and salt. In addition, wine may contain added sulfites and may contain up to 30 percent non-organically produced agricultural ingredients and/or other substances allowed by 7 CFR 205.605.”
Which is precisely why I am petitioning the NOP allow my sulfite added wines made from 100% certified organic grapes to be called organic, like all other food categories.
Furthermore, you are falsely and conveniently calling sulfites “synthetic”, rather than properly and truthfully “naturally.” NOSB agenda for this week (http://www.ams.usda.gov/AMSv1.0/getfile?dDocName=STELPRDC5086584). The Committee Summary regarding the petition (page 139) states “Sulfur dioxide is a preservative used for preventing the oxidization of wine. It has been used for centuries as part of the traditional winemaking process. Sulfur dioxide is produced naturally by the burning of elemental sulfur.”
A bit more reading on the complex NOP and TTB regulations for wine labeling would be a good idea before attempting to quote what the NOP says. Organic Vintners continues to support and respect the role of no-sulfite-added wine as an option for consumers.
While I have the greatest respect for the work that the OCA does, in this case I believe your stance doesn't take the big picture into account, nor is it to the ultimate benefit of the US consumer.
The title of this article is "Proposed Sulfite Amendment Weakens Organic Standards" but you are only telling one side of the story. What you fail to mention is that the proposed sulfite amendment weakens organic standards knowingly, and in doing so seeks to increase quality standards, and the popularity of organic wine as a whole. The sulfite amendment seeks to increase demand for grapes grown organically, reducing the demand for grapes farmed using dangerous practices that damage consumer, farmer and environmental health.
Do you realize that by holding on so tightly to organic standards that result in poor quality organic wines, you are unwittingly supporting the continuation of chemical based farming? You may be protecting this tiny niche for sulfite free wines, but in doing so you actually encourage chemically farmed and 'mega sulfited' wines to continue to dominate.
The goal of organic is to keep synthetics out and use as many organic ingredients as possible. "USDA Organic" should mean "synthetics-free." What we need to stand up for is "USDA Organic" wine made with 100% organic grapes AND no added synthetic sulfites. Organic wine that has added synthetic sulfites should be advertised as what it is: "made with organic grapes."
You seem to have misunderstood the point. Increasing permissible sulfite levels is not about increasing the amount of organic grapes used in individual organic wines but rather wine in general. Its about ensuring that organic wines meet the proper quality standards so that people have a great experience of organic wine and the market grows. An organic wine purchased is a conventional wine not purchased. Selling more organic wine (with or without sulfites) = stronger demand for organic grapes = shift in buying patterns = more farmers converting from conventional farming = big win for consumers and environment.
By holding on so tightly to sulfite levels, you may protect organic standards but hold back the larger benefits to individual and farmer health, and the environment, that will come from increasing demand for organic wine. That will only happen when consumers stop associating organic wine with the poor quality sulfur free examples they've tried, and start associating it with the vibrant, incredible tasting organic wines that are available - and yes many of them contain tiny amounts of added sulfites because that's what's necessary.
This is about consciously letting the 'battle' on sulfites go to win the 'war' on healthy, environmentally friendly farming.