Food Safety in the News

We highlighted VMSMA's Sugarhouse Certification Program in the news this spring and clarified some updates to organic defoamer.

VMSMA Sugarhouse Certification coverage:

Also in March, we connected WCAX with Catrina McKnight of McKnight Family Maple to share her experience with our Sugarhouse Certification and Grant Programs. Catrina hosted the WCAX for a tour and conversation and then Allison met with the team to share information about VMSMA and the goals and impacts of Certification. Watch the coverage here.

Organic Defoamer:

In March, our organic maple producers heard from their various organic certifying agencies that Trans-O 580 was no longer on the approved organic materials list and could no longer be used after this season. Several certifying agencies also included language that suggested two other Trans-O products (105 and 988) which are made by the same manufacturer and are still on the approved list. 

At this point, VMSMA staff reached out to maple researchers and other state maple associations to learn more about Trans-O 105 and 988. Dr. Abby van den Berg, who with Dr. Tim Perkins, researched the efficacy of Trans-O 580 for maple indicated that she had done some small pilot studies with Trans-O 105. At the time, she found that it was not effective and left syrup with a graham cracker off flavor. What became clear was that these two organic defoamers had not been tested for appropriateness with maple production and should not be used. 

We reached out to all organic certifiers who work in the state to be clear that they should not recommend alternative products and should reach out to their organic maple producers to clarify. We emailed all of our VMSMA members, bulk buyers in the region, maple researchers and other state maple associations to share this information as well. 

At present, organic operations are now left with organic oils as their available organic defoamer options. These oils are not as effective and producers need to be careful not to overuse them, which can create off flavors in your finished syrup. If you sell your syrup to a bulk buyer, you should reach out to them when changing defoamers.

Between now and the 2026 maple season, we will collaborate with partners to pursue effective organic alternatives. Recently, VMSMA applied for federal earmark funding that would, in part, work with Dr. van den Berg on a new organic defoamer. We will also work with other state maple associations to file a petition to be able to use Atmos as an organic option, based on the current lack of an effective and researched organic maple defoamer. Stay tuned as there is much more to come on this topic!