amendment be composted or treated according to current
standards for Class A level pathogen reduction, as
specified by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
(EPA). Documentation of the compost process conditions
for each batch is an essential part of the required
record keeping that ensures compliance with preventive
food safety programs. In addition, composting
reduces the potential for inhibition of plant growth that
is often associated with the use of raw manure.
Properly composted manure can be applied directly to
growing vegetable crops with little concern. However,
although composting can degrade many if not most
organic contaminants (i.e., pesticides), it cannot eliminate
heavy metals. The composting process concentrates
heavy metals that are a concern with sewage
sludge (biosolids), a composted product occasionally
used in production that can impact postharvest safety.
Biosolids are prohibited from use by many organic certification
organizations, including the CCOF.