According to many mainstream media accounts, federal approval last week allowing 38 ingredients to be used in the production of foods bearing the USDA's organic seal was a step backward for the integrity of the growing organic foods industry.

"Organic food rule could have up to 38 loopholes," read a Seattle Times headline. "USDA broadens interpretation of `organic' for some foods," said the Los Angeles Times. The Chicago Tribune surmised: "USDA may relax standards for organic foods."

Even the Organic Consumers Association (OCA) weighed in on the issue with the headline: "USDA ignores public rejection of proposal to allow 38 non-organic ingredients and toxic fish oil in foods labeled as 'USDA organic.'"

In the past, producers, handlers and certifying agents "misinterpreted" organic production regulations, the NOP said in announcing the Interim Final Rule in the Federal Register Wednesday.

The widespread use of hundreds of nonorganic ingredients and substances in products labeled with the USDA's green-and-white seal was controlled only by an accredited certifying agent determining that the organic form of the agricultural product is not commercially available.

Following a contentious court case, Sec. 205.606 of the National List of Allowed and Prohibited Substances for organic food production was amended to have these ingredients also approved for use by a panel of experts, and the product officially listed in Sec. 205.606 as an approved substance.

But the message from industry - that the few dozen ingredients and substance listed approved by the National Organic Program's (NOP) - are a fraction of what was previously used in production, does not seem to be getting through to major dailies.

The NOP said in the Interim Final Rule that the number of ingredients and substances originally submitted in petitions for inclusion on the National List was actually whittled down from over 600 ingredients.

The public has 60 days to comment on the 38 amendments to the National List. All comments received by Aug. 27.