Earthrise and Cyanotech Claim Significant Differences between Organic and All-natural, American-made Spirulina
New Organic Standards Believed to Compromise Product Safety
Cyanotech Corporation and Earthrise Nutritionals both ceased production of Organic Spirulina as of October 21, 2005 due to regulatory changes in the allowable nitrogen sources in the new organic standards. The National Organic Standards Board of the US Department of agriculture (NOSB) disallowed the use of a mined, water-soluble form of natural nitrogen that was previously allowed in Organic Spirulina farming, even though its use poses no potential problems for ground seepage or runoff due to both companies' utilization of pond liners and closed loop systems for their microalgae farming.
Prior to October 2005, both companies spent years analyzing the nitrogen sources allowed under the new standard and concluded that switching to the allowable sources would compromise the safety of their Spirulina. "Teams of scientists from both companies concluded that the potential for very high bacterial levels and heavy metals is far too great under the new standard," said Taro Ichimoto, Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of Earthrise Nutritionals. "Although consumers like to see the word 'organic' on the label, we won't produce an Organic Spirulina if it compromises the safety of the product."
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