True Organic Brew: Require organic hops in organic beer
*Hops are a key ingredient in all major styles of beer. Current USDA organic standards allow non organic hops in beer labeled organic and bearing the USDA organic seal. Chemical Herbicides, Fungicides, and Pesticides used on conventionally grown hop flowers can pose a risk to consumers. Consumers have the right to know if the beer they buy with an organic label contains non organic hops.
*We believe organic beer should always contain organic hops in order to be labeled as organic.
*We demand that the USDA remove hops from the list of non-organic agricultural ingredients allowed in certified organic products no later than 2012
*Hops are a key ingredient in all major styles of beer. Current USDA organic standards allow non organic hops in beer labeled organic and bearing the USDA organic seal. Chemical Herbicides, Fungicides, and Pesticides used on conventionally grown hop flowers can pose a risk to consumers. Consumers have the right to know if the beer they buy with an organic label contains non organic hops.
*We believe organic beer should always contain organic hops in order to be labeled as organic.
*We demand that the USDA remove hops from the list of non-organic agricultural ingredients allowed in certified organic products no later than 2012
We the undersigned formally ask that the USDA remove hops from the list of non-organic agricultural ingredients allowed in certified organic products no later than 2012.
Hops are a key ingredient in all major styles of beer. Current USDA organic standards allow non organic hops in beer labeled organic and bearing the USDA organic seal. Chemical Herbicides, Fungicides, and Pesticides used on conventionally grown hop flowers can pose a risk to consumers. Consumers have the right to know if the beer they buy with an organic label contains non organic hops.
Allowing the USDA certified organic seal on beer that is made without organic hops is misleading to organic consumers and erodes consumer confidence in the organic label. Furthermore, allowing non organic hops in organic beer is discouraging the efforts of North American growers and distributors of organic hops. By creating a deadline for producers of organic beer by which they are required to use organic hops, they will have full incentive to succeed in this change, and they will support efforts in the supply side of the industry to meet the demand.
We believe organic beer should always contain organic hops in order to be labeled as organic. We formally request that the USDA remove hops from the list of non-organic agricultural ingredients allowed in certified organic products no later than January 1, 2012. Thank you for taking the time to hear our concerns and considering our request.
The regulations on organics need to be more strict and there needs to be more organic products available. Sustainability is everyone's ethical responsibility.
If ALL the ingredients are not organic then the product shouldn't be certified as organic. This damages the value of the certification and removes all incentive to move to organic hops. Making this change would create demand and opportunity for organic hop growers. Shame shame on those using the seal and duping their customers. Just because something is legal does not mean that it is right. I am proud to support Seven Bridges Cooperative and appreciate that they operate with integrity even when it isn't legally required.
Organic labeling should require all ingredients used to be organic in nature. Anything else is false advertising.
Should follow other food standards. I shouldn't have to research any ingredient... If it's labeled organic then it all should be organic.
Although hops account for a small amount of beer, they have a large surface area and are a high source of herbicides, fungicides, and pesticides. There is an organic hop market and organic beer should be make with organic hops.
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Americans have the right to know what is in the food they eat and the beverages they drink! Anything less than total honesty in labeling means putting profits above people and that is not the American Way.
Truth in labeling is very important for the protection of the consumer.
It only makes sense that organic beer must be made with all orgnic ingredients - including hops.
Organic brew is the best for our bodies and it DOES taste better than non organic.
Why in the world would hops be excluded from the requirement of being produced organically, when the beer is allowed to be certified as organic? This is appalling, and pathetic. Shame on those entrusted with the responsibility to protect us. This is not brain surgery. Get it right, get it honest this time.
I would like organic beer to be 100% organic including the hops. Please require that the hops be organic in beer as well prior to allowing labels to claim that the product is organic.
Leave it to the USDA to allow something not organic to be used in something that is labeled organic.. Unbelievable..
No more lies! Only 100% organic should be labeled "organic".
pleaase help us raise the organic standard!
It's either organic or it's not, why can't the government get it right?
I am an organic farmer and home brewer. I feel that any use of non-organic agricultural products in consumer goods that are labeled with the USDA organic stamp is misleading. My customers want to know that I grow organic. Beer drinkers deserve to be able to know how the hops that they are drinking are grown!
Half way is better than nothing, but we need consumers to have full information about what they are getting. Please change the requirement so that beer that's labeled "organic" is really, truly, and fully organic.
Calling it organic and putting non-organic hops is not just misleading but it waters down the core meaning of why we make organic products!! It's like putting Bud Light in Guiness Bottle and calling it Guiness. It just doesn't make sense.
I strongly agree that hops should be labeled as organic by the USDA and that true organic-lableled beer should only contain this type of hops.
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When I see an organic sticker I assume it is all organic. Period. So, should the beer I am buying.
Come on, let's be more demanding of ourselves, country and the example that we leave when we are gone.
Consumers demand truth in labeling!!!
For more impact, add your own personal comments about true organic brew here
Organic means ORGANIC. Pesticides, fungicides, and herbicides are not organic. The USDA organic certification only means something if it stands up for what it claims to. Allowing non-organic ingredients in organic certified food is fraudulent.
