Regenerative Organic Certification opens to industry in September

A new food label is being launched this fall, signifying enhanced certification criteria going beyond the USDA’s National Organic Program (NOP) standards.

The Regenerative Organic Certification (ROC) initiative was spearheaded by the Rodale Institute in 2017; its pilot program involves farms and natural and organic brands in nine countries, including India, Sri Lanka, and Ghana. The ROC scheme prioritizes three agricultural issues: animal welfare, soil health, and social fairness.

NSF International is overseeing the ROC program, with responsibility for auditing 22 organic and natural labels and farms, including Danone’s Horizon Organic and Vega brands, Nature’s Path’s Legends Organic Farm, Guayaki Yerba Mate, and Maple Hill Creamery. The audits will be finalized in April, with data compiled to incorporate into a final ROC standard.

ROC will offer three levels of certification:

• Bronze: No product labeling permitted. At least 50 percent of fiber-or food-producing land must be certified.
• Silver: Product labeling permitted. At least 50 percent of land must be certified, with 80 percent reached by year 5.
• Gold: Product labeling permitted. 100 percent of land must be certified.

Categories of the label include:

1) “100% Regenerative Organic Certified” 

2) “Regenerative Organic Certified”

3) “Made with regenerative organic ingredients”

4) “Regenerative Organic”

Only the first two categories can carry the ROC label. Extensive Chain of Custody requirements and label guidelines are specified.

Source: Sustainable Food News

To view full article, visit: https://sustainablefoodnews.com/