In 2012, RIBUS Inc. announced its continued support of the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) proposed rule giving organic ingredients preference over synthetics in organic products. The proposed rule would amend the National List of Allowed and Prohibited Substances (Section 205.605(b) of the Organic Foods Production Act) to remove silicon dioxide from organics in most cases.

“We are happy that the USDA amended the National List of Allowed and Prohibited Substances, which identifies the substances that are permitted in the production and processing of organic products for sale/use in the United States,” said Steve Peirce, president of RIBUS Inc. “The Organic Foods Production Act of 1990 and USDA regulations prohibit the use of any substances in organic production and processing that do not comply with this list, and we are thrilled that silicon dioxide is now on the prohibited list in most cases.” he added.

The final rule, passed May 28, 2013, states: “Silicon dioxide is only permitted in organic products as a defoamer, unless organic rice hulls are not commercially available as an adequate replacement.” This change took effect Nov. 3, 2013, and products must be in compliance by Nov. 3, 2014.

In 2007, RIBUS, the global leader in organic rice-based alternatives to synthetic ingredients, informed the USDA that its product made from organic rice hulls, was a viable organic alternative to the allowed synthetic ingredient silicon dioxide.

This ruling is aimed at increasing the percentage of organic ingredients in organic products (reducing the amount of synthetics). “At RIBUS, it is our intention to be an information center and to assist our customers and all producers during this transition period,” Peirce said. “We have the technical know-how to assist in just about any application and we manufacture the patent-pending, sustainable organic rice hull product, NU-FLOW, which effectively (and organically) replaces silicon dioxide in applications that require anti-caking or flow aids.” he went on to say.