Organic Products

The Organic Foods Production Act established the National Organic Program (NOP), a program run by the Agricultural Marketing Service of the USDA, to set uniform national standards for the production, handling and processing of foods and agricultural products labeled with organic claims.  The organic food industry has grown to account for a significant part of consumer spending on food, and many companies are interested in using this popular marketing claim.

Services: HPM attorneys can help you with all aspects of organic labeling for food and for non-food products.  They can help you understand the requirements for organic claims and organic certification, and have experience in resolving alleged non-compliance issues both in dealings with the organic certifier as well as in front of the NOP.  HPM attorneys have also successfully assisted clients with petitions to add ingredients on the National List of Allowed and Prohibited Substances.

Examples:

• Assisted client in preparing a petition to add an ingredient to National List
• Resolved dispute regarding organic labeling of dietary supplements
• Reviewed labels for compliance with organic regulations
• Successfully challenged NOP’s denial of a waiver
• Helped client prepare comments to proposed regulations and guidance

Professionals