The US Department of Agriculture announced that Philippine carrageenan, a naturally occurring seaweed-derived substance, will remain in its list of approved additives in organic food.
The USDA issued the announcement after finding merit in public comments supporting the renewal of carrageenan in the National List of Allowed Substances of the USDA.
The comments, which formed in part by two science-based position papers sent by the Philippine government through the Department of Agriculture to the USDA, refuted the health and environment-related assertions made by the National Organic Coalition against carrageenan, and argued that the substance was an irreplaceable, allowable ingredient.
Agriculture Secretary Emmanuel Piñol said the Philippine position, a joint effort between scientists from the University of the Philippines and the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources, convincingly addressed the issues raised by a US coalition.
