Most people believe that organic products are produced without chemicals, synthetic additives, preservatives and pesticides, but this is misleading and incorrect. Organic products are ones that are created by using ecologically sustainable practices, without the reliance on synthetic chemicals. Organic foods and products are very popular these days and their popularity will only increase in the future. Because of this, progressive pest management professionals have a fantastic opportunity to partner with facilities that process and handle Organic products to implement responsible Integrated Pest Management (IPM) programs. By creating a pest management plan that fits guidelines set out by the National Organic Program (NOP), pest management professionals can provide effective pest management solutions that perfectly suit the needs of facilities that produce, handle or distribute Organic products.

National Organic Program History

The NOP was created under Congress in the early 1990s and went into full effect in October of 2002. This program sets forth a uniform set of standards that growers, processors, packagers and warehouse operators can follow that aid in producing products that are to be marketed as Organic. This program also supplies a set of guidelines for the agencies that ‘police’ the Organic production process. These guidelines support the progressive pest management professional and supports the pest control industry’s commitment to responsible IPM. The NOP places an emphasis on sanitation, exclusion and the use of physical controls. Because progressive pest management professionals have been advocating the use of these non-chemical IPM strategies in food plants for a long time, our services are in higher demand than ever.

For a pest management professional to become part of the “Organic Handling System Plan” that must be created by companies looking to “go Organic” with their products, a written pest management program is required. In this program, there will be a great deal of emphasis placed on documentation and inspection, and the pest management program will be structured around a system of monitoring, which includes insect and rodent monitors. Many pest management professionals have already been using these techniques to control pests in facilities, but now we know that our IPM programs are in fundamental agreement with the rules and guidelines set forth by the NOP. By formalizing the pest management company’s commitment to the philosophy of Organic handling, facilities that handle Organic products know they can trust the services of pest management professionals to follow the guidelines that allow them to be marketed as Organic.

For more information on pest management in Organic facilities, contact Copesan today. We understand that Organic foods require special treatment; our Signature Care® Organic program protects our clients from adulterated product, revenue loss and even loss of the Organic certification status. At Copesan, our trained pest control professionals can create an environmentally responsible pest management program that will comply with NOP’s guidelines as well as guidelines set forth by all state, federal and local health, safety and pesticide use regulations. Along with a sophisticated documentation system, we will ensure compliance with Good Manufacturing Practices for food processing, warehousing and related industries. An ideal choice for certified Organic operations or those that may consider this designation in the future, the Signature Care program from Copesan will keep your facility pest free now and in the future.