Not quite organic...

A fellow environmental commissioner in New Paltz recently asked an expert at the USDA to help her find the 38 synthetic substances allowed by the USDA under their label ORGANIC.
These are the results, some of which, you will find disturbing:

The National Organic Program regulation, as initially published in October 2001, (7 CFR 205)contained 174 allowed synthetics and prohibited naturals on its NationalList of Allowed and Prohibited substances. Thirty-eight of these substances are categorized in Section 205.605(b)Nonagricultural(nonorganic) substances allowed as ingredients in or on processed products labeled as "organic" or "made with organic (specified ingredients or food group(s)". You may access this section of the regulation at http://www.ams.usda.gov/nop/NOP/standards/ListReg.html

Synthetics allowed:
Alginates.
Ammonium bicarbonate - for use only as a leavening agent.
Ammonium carbonate - for use only as a leavening agent.
Ascorbic acid.
Calcium citrate.
Calcium hydroxide.
Calcium phosphates (monobasic, dibasic, and tribasic).
Carbon dioxide.
Cellulose - for use in regenerative casings, as an anti-caking agent (non-chlorine bleached) and filtering aid.
Chlorine materials - disinfecting and sanitizing food contact surfaces, Except, That, residual chlorine levels in the water shall not exceed the maximum residual disinfectant limit under the Safe Drinking Water Act (Calcium hypochlorite; Chlorine dioxide; and Sodium hypochlorite).
Ethylene - allowed for postharvest ripening of tropical fruit and degreening of citrus.
Ferrous sulfate - for iron enrichment or fortification of foods when required by regulation or recommended (independent organization).
Glycerides (mono and di) - for use only in drum drying of food.
Glycerin - produced by hydrolysis of fats and oils.
Hydrogen peroxide.
Lecithin - bleached.
Magnesium carbonate - for use only in agricultural products labeled "made with organic (specified ingredients or food group(s))," prohibited in agricultural products labeled "organic."
Magnesium chloride - derived from sea water.
Magnesium stearate - for use only in agricultural products labeled "made with organic (specified ingredients or food group(s))," prohibited in agricultural products labeled "organic." Nutrient vitamins and minerals, in accordance with 21 CFR 104.20, Nutritional Quality Guidelines For Foods.
Ozone.
Pectin (low-methoxy).
Phosphoric acid - cleaning of food-contact surfaces and equipment only.
Potassium acid tartrate.
Potassium tartrate made from tartaric acid.
Potassium carbonate.
Potassium citrate.
Potassium hydroxide - prohibited for use in lye peeling of fruits and vegetables except when used for peeling peaches during the Individually Quick Frozen (IQF) production process.
Potassium iodide - for use only in agricultural products labeled "made with organic (specified ingredients or food group(s))," prohibited in agricultural products labeled "organic."
Potassium phosphate - for use only in agricultural products labeled "made with organic (specified ingredients or food group(s))," prohibited in agricultural products labeled "organic."
Silicon dioxide.
Sodium citrate.
Sodium hydroxide - prohibited for use in lye peeling of fruits and vegetables. Sodium phosphates - for use only in dairy foods.
Sulfur dioxide - for use only in wine labeled "made with organic grapes," Provided, That, total sulfite concentration does not exceed 100 ppm.
Tartaric acid.
Tocopherols - derived from vegetable oil when rosemary extracts are not a suitable alternative.
Xanthan gum.