Cellulose

What forms of cellulose are permitted and for what purposes? Specifically, what are ‘regenerative casings?’ Can hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HPMC) be used as organic supplement capsules?

By Brian Baker

There are many forms of cellulose that are available for different functional purposes in organic food processing. In organic processing, only powdered cellulose and inedible cellulose casings are permitted for use as anticaking agents or filtering aids, and as regenerative casings, respectively. Regenerative casings are used to wrap meat and meat-analog products, such as sausages before filling. These wrappers used at filling are removed from the product before the product is packaged and sold to consumers. Regenerative casings are inedible and are not intended to be eaten.

HPMC is a different substance from cellulose. Methyl chloride and propylene oxide, two highly toxic substances, are reacted with cellulose to make HPMC. HPMC is not on the National List and is therefore prohibited for use in capsules and other products that are labeled as ‘organic.’ The National Organic Standards Board (NOSB) received a petition to use HPMC for organic processing. That petition was rejected by the NOSB on September 19, 2002.

Revised and updated in May 2017 by OMRI Technical Director Johanna Mirenda. This article was originally published in the Fall 2009 edition of the OMRI Materials Review newsletter.