# 7 CFR § 205.600: Evaluation criteria for allowed and prohibited substances, methods, and ingredients

> Federal · Regulations · In force

URL: https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/ecfr-7-205.600

## Section

- **Citation:** 7 CFR § 205.600
- **Heading:** Evaluation criteria for allowed and prohibited substances, methods, and ingredients
- **Jurisdiction:** Federal
- **Kind:** Regulations
- **Status:** In force
- **Text as of:** September 22, 2026
- **Source:** Publisher's official text
- **Location:** Title 7—Agriculture > Subtitle B—Regulations of the Department of Agriculture > CHAPTER I—AGRICULTURAL MARKETING SERVICE (STANDARDS, INSPECTIONS, MARKETING PRACTICES), DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE > SUBCHAPTER M—ORGANIC FOODS PRODUCTION ACT PROVISIONS > PART 205—NATIONAL ORGANIC PROGRAM > Subpart G—Administrative > The National List of Allowed and Prohibited Substances

## Text

The following criteria will be utilized in the evaluation of substances or ingredients for the organic production and handling sections of the National List:
(a) Synthetic and nonsynthetic substances considered for inclusion on or deletion from the National List of allowed and prohibited substances will be evaluated using the criteria specified in the Act (7 U.S.C. 6517 and 6518).
(b) In addition to the criteria set forth in the Act, any synthetic substance used as a processing aid or adjuvant will be evaluated against the following criteria:
(1) The substance cannot be produced from a natural source and there are no organic substitutes;
(2) The substance's manufacture, use, and disposal do not have adverse effects on the environment and are done in a manner compatible with organic handling;
(3) The nutritional quality of the food is maintained when the substance is used, and the substance, itself, or its breakdown products do not have an adverse effect on human health as defined by applicable Federal regulations;
(4) The substance's primary use is not as a preservative or to recreate or improve flavors, colors, textures, or nutritive value lost during processing, except where the replacement of nutrients is required by law;
(5) The substance is listed as generally recognized as safe (GRAS) by Food and Drug Administration (FDA) when used in accordance with FDA's good manufacturing practices (GMP) and contains no residues of heavy metals or other contaminants in excess of tolerances set by FDA; and
(6) The substance is essential for the handling of organically produced agricultural products.
(c) Nonsynthetics used in organic processing will be evaluated using the criteria specified in the Act (7 U.S.C. 6517 and 6518).

## Nearby sections

- [7 CFR § 205.600 § 205.600 Evaluation criteria for allowed and prohibited substances, methods, and ingredients.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/ecfr-7-205.600.md)
- [7 CFR § 205.601 § 205.601 Synthetic substances allowed for use in organic crop production.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/ecfr-7-205.601.md)
- [7 CFR § 205.602 § 205.602 Nonsynthetic substances prohibited for use in organic crop production.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/ecfr-7-205.602.md)
- [7 CFR § 205.603 § 205.603 Synthetic substances allowed for use in organic livestock production.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/ecfr-7-205.603.md)
- [7 CFR § 205.604 § 205.604 Nonsynthetic substances prohibited for use in organic livestock production.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/ecfr-7-205.604.md)
- [7 CFR § 205.605 § 205.605 Nonagricultural (nonorganic) substances allowed as ingredients in or on processed products labeled as “organic” or “made with organic (specified ingredients or food group(s)).”](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/ecfr-7-205.605.md)
- [7 CFR § 205.606 § 205.606 Nonorganically produced agricultural products allowed as ingredients in or on processed products labeled as “organic.”](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/ecfr-7-205.606.md)
- [7 CFR § 205.607 § 205.607 Amending the National List.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/ecfr-7-205.607.md)
- [7 CFR § 205.620 § 205.620 Requirements of State organic programs.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/ecfr-7-205.620.md)
- [7 CFR § 205.621 § 205.621 Submission and determination of proposed State organic programs and amendments to approved State organic programs.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/ecfr-7-205.621.md)
- [7 CFR § 205.622 § 205.622 Review of approved State organic programs.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/ecfr-7-205.622.md)
- [7 CFR § 205.640 § 205.640 Fees and other charges for accreditation.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/ecfr-7-205.640.md)
- [7 CFR § 205.641 § 205.641 Payment of fees and other charges.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/ecfr-7-205.641.md)
- [7 CFR § 205.642 § 205.642 Fees and other charges for certification.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/ecfr-7-205.642.md)

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Source: Frix Law Library, https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/ecfr-7-205.600. Check the current official text before relying on it. Not legal advice.