5 replies to this topic

[Tomato Country Girl]

I have a question on USDA organic handling requirements.  They want physical separation however has anyone any references to any specific amount of distance?  My Production Manager is wanting to pre-stage organic with non organic on cook deck he is reading code as any type of physical barrier (his would be organic on one pallet away from non-organic on another pallet) thoughts anyone? 

 

Any information would be appreciated.

 

Kind Regards,
 

[SQFconsultant]

The Organic System Plan § 205.201 Organic production and handling system plan

 

See page 13  in this document: 

https://www.ams.usda...ckProducers.pdf

[Tomato Country Girl]

Glenn I am searching for an industry standard on physical barriers my OSP states we will keep segregated however I am trying to give Production a "allowable segregated distance".  Are you familiar with any industry best practices?

[SQFconsultant]

There is no distance that I am aware of, only barrier.

 

This was something that always fascinated me about organics and the USDA.

 

But, then I began finding the same in other areas as well.

 

So, a barrier is as simple as a separation wall or a field.

 

I had a client that grew onions - organic and conventional and his barrier for storage was a wall and the field barrier was a road and on the other side conventional onions.

 

Walking thru a Whole Foods market one day I was amazed to see conventionals right nect to organics and the only separation was a cardboard display piece.

 

When I jokingly said to a store worker, I guess they get mixed up a lot - to which the worker said all the time and when they don't come in with stickers on we just guess which side of the barrier they go on.

[Ryan M.]

Barrier can be physical OR labeling.  The labeling indicates organic versus conventional.

 

For best prevention of intermingling organic and conventional.

 

Some thoughts that come to mind would be different color pallets for organic versus conventional.  Shrink-wrapping the organic pallets.  Tags on the organic pallets with "ORGANIC".

[Tomato Country Girl]

Glenn,

 

Do you know of any industry standard with separation of allergen vs non allergen?  Or is it like organic?  Code will tell you keep segregated to prevent cross contamination or cross contact however I have a high D and always want a number.

 

Any info would be appreciated.

 

Regards,