Sodium Lactate (2023 Sunset Handling)

Sunset Survey

This survey is administered by the Organic Trade Association to assess the necessity/essentiality of substances used in organic production and processing that are undergoing NOSB Sunset Review. The information collected will be passed along to NOSB via the Organic Trade Association’s comments. Please do not include any confidential businesses information. For more information please visit OTA.com/NOSB.

This survey is for the substance SODIUM LACTATE

Allowed for use as an antimicrobial agent and pH regulator only. §205.605(b)

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* 1. Is your operation certified organic?

Yes

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* 2. Is sodium lactate included in your organic system plan?

Yes

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* 3. Which types of organic products do you use sodium lactate in/on? (e.g., yogurt, fruit juices, baked goods, etc.)

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* 4. What function does sodium lactate provide in/on your organic products and why is it essential? (e.g., stabilizer, thickener, flavor, sanitizer, etc.)

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* 5. With what frequency does your operation use sodium lactate? (e.g., seldom, as needed when a certain condition arises, routinely, etc.)

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* 6. NOSB collects information about the "ancillary substances" (e.g. carriers, preservatives, stabilizers) that may be used to formulate commercial forms of the substance. Please list any ancillary substances that are identified on the ingredient statement on the specification sheet that accompanies the substance you purchase.

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* 7. Have you tried using any other substances as an alternative to sodium lactate? (e.g. other natural or organic substances)

Yes

If yes, please describe your search and sourcing efforts, which substances you’ve tried and whether the quantity available was sufficient and/or whether the alternative substance had the quality and form necessary to fulfill the required function of the organic product or process.

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* 8. Are there any other management practices that would eliminate the need for sodium lactate?

Yes

If so, please describe the efficacy of the alternative management practices:

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* 9. How would your organic handling be impacted if sodium lactate was no longer allowed? (describe the effects on product quality, economic effects, environment effects, or human health effects)

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* 10. On a scale from 1 to 5 stars, rate the overall necessity of sodium lactate for your organic operation:

Unnecessary (don’t need it at all)

Neutral (nice to have but could live without it)

Critical (would leave organic without it)

Unnecessary (don’t need it at all)

Neutral (nice to have but could live without it)

Critical (would leave organic without it)

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* 11. You are strongly encouraged to submit your own comments by Sept 30th directly to the NOSB via Regulations.gov.

If you would like assistance or guidance in submitting comments to NOSB, please contact Gwendolyn Wyard at gwyard@ota.com or provide your contact information below and OTA will contact you directly.

Name

Company

Email Address

Phone Number