HY Food Safety Announces Key Changes and Support for the Import of Organic Foods

LAGUNA BEACH, Calif. - March 20, 2024 - PRLog -- This week, the USDA's Strengthening Organic Enforcement (SOE) rules go into effect. It expanded the definition of "Handling" to include more members of the supply chain involved in the distribution of organic products. With the new rules anyone buying, selling or facilitating the sale of products, plus importers and exporters, are now classified as handlers and need to take steps to get certified and document their operations appropriately to conform with the new rules.

Hunter Young of HY Food Safety explains, "It's an important change. The new requirements for handlers include maintaining a traceability and fraud prevention plan, plus performing regular supply chain traceability audits. The need for records is prioritized." Key points of the SOE Rules also address bulk non-retail containers used to store and transport products. These types of containers now must be labeled organic and display unique information and lot numbers to maintain traceability at all times.

In terms of new duties, both importers and exporters specifically now have to maintain the organic status of products and must now be certified. To meet the new requirements exporters acquire a National Organic Program (NOP) Certificate from their certification agency and provide it to the importer. These certificates are issued on a per transaction basis for a specified amount or a single commodity to specific designated importer only. The certificate can be for a defined quantity of product in a single shipment or for a finite time period for product sent in multiple shipments.

While the rules have been expanded, certain exemptions still exist. These include transport operators and retailers, with limited exemptions for others, for example, private label brand owners. It can be advantageous for private label brand owners to maintain certification as they will not need to reveal their co-packers and buyers and the ability to use any packaging type they wish, though it is not required.

Young reminds, "There are some additional new rules that are included in the USDA SOE that can be challenging although these are the main points to consider." Any members of the supply chain that buy, sell, handle, and store organic products can also complete a CCOF Exempt Handler Affidavit to see if they qualify for an exemption to the new rules.

For more information on the finer details of the new requirements or updating your program reach out to the experts at HY Food Safety. Our team has over 25 years of combined experience in helping all members of the supply chain to meet and exceed the standards of USDA and FDA requirements, as well as attain organic, Gluten Free, and Safe Quality Food (SQF) certifications. Visit us online at https://www.thefoodsafetysolution.com for more information.