US farm lobby group The Cornucopia Institute has filed a legal complaint with the US Department of Agriculture in a bid to end the alleged use of toxic solvents in the manufacture of organic food.

Go deeper with GlobalData

Premium Insights

The gold standard of business intelligence.

Find out more


According to the institute, manufacturers of organic baby formulas and foods are using hexane-extracted omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids (DHA/ARA) derived from algae and soil fungus.


These algal- and fungal-based DHA/ARA ingredients have been linked to virulent diarrhoea and vomiting in infants.


“The federal organic regulations very clearly prohibit these oils in organic foods, so this is not a case of companies finding loopholes in the regulations,” said Mark Kastel, co-director of the institute.


“What we’re seeing is the latest in a long string of USDA actions that blatantly cater to industry interests at the expense of consumer safety. USDA officials are simply allowing these companies to freely break the organic rules in their pursuit of profit.”

How well do you really know your competitors?

Access the most comprehensive Company Profiles on the market, powered by GlobalData. Save hours of research. Gain competitive edge.

Company Profile – free sample

Thank you!

Your download email will arrive shortly

Not ready to buy yet? Download a free sample

We are confident about the unique quality of our Company Profiles. However, we want you to make the most beneficial decision for your business, so we offer a free sample that you can download by submitting the below form

By GlobalData
Visit our Privacy Policy for more information about our services, how we may use, process and share your personal data, including information of your rights in respect of your personal data and how you can unsubscribe from future marketing communications. Our services are intended for corporate subscribers and you warrant that the email address submitted is your corporate email address.

The institute claimed that organic products containing the prohibited fatty acid supplements include Dean Foods’ Horizon Organic milk with DHA.


The lobby group also cited organic infant formulas including Abbott Laboratories’ Similac Organic, Hain Celestial’s Earth’s Best, and PBM Products’ Bright Beginnings Organic as containing the supplements.


“Large food companies should not use a supplement that has a known association with sickness in children,” a spokesperson for Cornucopia told just-food. “We are calling on the USDA to enforce regulations that already exist and take measures to prevent the use of these chemicals in the production of organic foods.”


Officials at Dean Foods and Hain Celestial could not be reached for immediate comment as just-food went to press.