New Draft Regulations on Organic Production (October 2001)

Section 8: Processing, handling and packaging of organically produced products

(1)        All equipment used for conventional product shall be properly cleaned and free from residues before being used for organically produced products:  Provided that dedicated lines are preferred.

(2)        Organically produced products shall be protected from co-mingling with non-organic produced products during processing, handling, packaging, storage, distribution and retailing.

(3)        All products shall be adequately identified through the whole process.

(4)        Methods shall be set to prevent and control pollutants and contaminants.

(5)        Decontamination, cleaning and/or disinfection programmes shall be set for facilities where organic products are kept, handled, processed, stored and sold.

(6)        The following treatments/conditions of storage are permitted:

(a) Modified and controlled atmosphere

(b) Temperature control

(c) Drying

(d) Humidity regulation

(7)        The ingredients of non-agricultural origin allowed in processing of organically pro­duced products as well as the permitted processing aids are indicated in Annexures VII and VIII:  Provided that --

(a) they are indispensable for ensuring the safety of the food;

(b) they are essential to prepare or preserve such food;  or

(c) they are legally required.

(8)        Synthetic dyes may not be used for cosmetic alteration of organic product.

(9)        The following processes are permitted:

(a) Mechanical and physical

(b) Biological

(c) Smoking

(d) Extraction

(e) Precipitation

(f) Filtration

(g) Distillation.

(10)       Extraction shall only take place with water, ethanol, plant and animal oils, vinegar, carbon dioxide, nitrogen or carboxylic acids of food grade quality as indicated in Annexure VIII.

(11)       Filtration substances shall not contain asbestos or other substances that can nega­tively affect the product.

(12)       Material used for packaging shall not contaminate the products and the use thereof shall take into consideration the effect they may have on the environment.

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Go to Annexure VII:  Ingredients of non-agricultural origin

Or go to Annexure VIII:  Permitted processing Aids

Or go to next section:  Pest and disease control