The Facts about Organic Food Standards and Labels
People often ask if PYO are "organic"
Some are, most aren't. I always ask when they last sprayed and what they
used. The U.S. Department of
Agriculture has put in place a set of national standards that food labeled
"organic" must meet, whether it is grown in the United States or
imported from other countries. After October 21, 2002, when you buy food
labeled "organic," you can be sure that it was produced using the
highest organic production and handling standards in the world.
If you are interested in health, environmental health, and safety issues, see our sister site www.ehso.com , environmental health and safety online, for free information.
What is organic food?
Organic food is produced by farmers who avoid the use of bio-persistent nonselective chemical pesticides, fungicides and fertilizers. Farmers emphasize the use of renewable (or sustainable) resources and the conservation of soil and water to enhance environmental quality for future generations.
The specifics vary depending upon the type of food and its method of production. For example, Organic meat, poultry, eggs, and dairy products come from animals that are given no antibiotics or growth hormones. Organic fruits and vegetables are grown without using most conventional pesticides, fertilizers made with synthetic ingredients or sewage sludge; bioengineer seed or plants; or ionizing radiation.
Before a product can be labeled "organic," a Government-approved certifier inspects the farm where the food is grown to make sure the farmer is following all the rules necessary to meet USDA organic standards. Companies that handle or process organic food before it gets to your local supermarket or restaurant must be certified, too.
Is organic food better for me and my family?
The USDA makes no claims that organically produced food is safer or more nutritious than conventionally produced food. Organic food differs from conventionally produced food in the way it is grown, handled, and processed. Some are considered "better", but for some foods it may not really make a difference (in terms of health benefits). An example of the latter is fruits with a thick inedible skin, like bananas or oranges. Studies show that pesticides applied do not enter the edible portions. And in processed foods studies again show that there is no measurable difference between organic and non-organic. For example, a jar of organic spaghetti sauce has the same nutritional value as the non-organic variety. The biggest difference come sin fresh and frozen unprocessed fruits and vegetables. In general, though, it is safe to safe that organic , and more particularly, "sustainably grown" foods are better overall, considering the nutritional value, absence of chemical residues, and less adverse affect upon the environment.
When I go to the supermarket, how can I tell organically produced food from conventionally produced food?
You must look at package labels and watch
for signs in the supermarket. Along with the national organic standards,
USDA developed strict labeling rules to help consumers know the exact organic
content of the food they buy. The USDA Organic seal also tells you
that a product is at least 95 percent organic.
Single-ingredient foods
Look for the word "organic" and a small sticker version of the USDA Organic seal on vegetables or pieces of fruit. Or they may appear on the sign above the organic produce display.
The word "organic" and the seal may also appear on packages of meat, cartons of milk or eggs, cheese, and other single-ingredient foods.
Foods with more than one ingredient
The following photo shows examples of the labels that may be used on a wide variety of products that use organic ingredients.
Click photo of follow
this link for larger image of cereal
boxes.
The sample cereal boxes show the four labeling categories. From left: cereal with 100 percent organic ingredients; cereal with 95-100 percent organic ingredients; cereal made with at least 70 percent organic ingredients; and cereal with less than 70 percent organic ingredients. Products with less than 70 percent organic ingredients may list specific organically produced ingredients on the side panel of the package, but may not make any organic claims on the front of the package. Look for the name and address of the Government-approved certifier on all packaged products that contain at least 70 percent organic ingredients.
Will I find the USDA Organic seal on all 100 percent organic products, or products with at least 95 percent organic ingredients?
No. The use of the seal is voluntary.
How is use of the USDA Organic seal protected?
People who sell or label a product "organic" when they know it does not meet USDA standards can be fined up to $10,000 for each violation.
Does natural mean organic?
No. Natural and organic are not interchangeable. Other truthful claims, such as free-range, hormone-free, and natural, can still appear on food labels. However, don't confuse these terms with "organic." Only food labeled "organic" has been certified as meeting USDA organic standards.
For more detailed information on the USDA organic standards, visit the USDA Nationa Organic Program website or call the National Organic Program at 202-720-3252, or write USDA-AMS-TM-NOP, Room 4008 S. Bldg., Ag Stop 0268, 1400 Independence, SW, Washington, DC 20250.
Labeling Package Products
These requirements do not preempt Food and Drug Administration; USDA, Food
Safety and Inspection Service; or the Bureau
of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms labeling regulations or label approval
requirements.
Letter Codes for the information below indicate position on package and are
defined as follows:
PDP: Principal Display Panel
IP: Information Panel
IS: Ingredients Statement
OP: Any Other Panel
| If you want to claim: | "100 percent Organic" (or similar statement) |
| Your product: | Must contain 100 percent organically produced ingredients, not counting added water and salt. |
| Your label MUST: | Show an ingredient statement when the
product consists of more than one ingredient.
Show below the name and address of the handler (bottler, distributor, importer, manufacturer, packer, processor, etc.) of the finished product, the statement:
|
| Your label MAY show: | The term "100 percent organic" to modify
the product name. (PDP/IP/OP) The term, "organic" to identify the organic ingredients1. Water and salt included as ingredients must not be identified as organic. (IS) The USDA organic seal and/or certifying agent seal(s). (PDP/OP) The certifying agent business/Internet address or telephone number. (IP) |
| Your label MUST NOT show: | Not applicable |
1 To identify an ingredient as organically produced, in the ingredients statement, use the word, "organic" in conjunction with the name of the ingredient, or an asterisk or other reference mark which is defined below the ingredient statement.
| If you want to claim: | "Organic" (or similar statement) |
| Your product: | Must contain at least
95% organic ingredients, not counting added water and salt.
Must not contain added sulfites. May contain up to 5% of:
|
| Your label MUST: | Show an ingredient statement.
List the organic ingredients as "organic" when other organic labeling is shown.1 Water and salt included as ingredients must not be identified as organic. (IS) Show below the name and address of the handler (bottler, distributor, importer, manufacturer, packer, processor, etc.) of the finished product, the statement:
|
| Your label MAY show: | The term "Organic" to modify
the product name. (PDP/IP/OP)
"X% organic" or "X% organic ingredients." (PDP/IP/OP) The USDA Organic seal and/or certifying agent seal(s). (PDP/OP) The certifying agent business/Internet address or telephone number. (IP) |
| Your label MUST NOT show: | Not applicable |
1 To identify an ingredient as organically produced, in the ingredients statement, use the word, "organic" in conjunction with the name of the ingredient, or an asterisk or other reference mark which is defined below the ingredient statement.
| If you want to claim: | "Made with Organic Ingredients" (or similar statement) |
| Your product: | Must contain at least 70% organic
ingredients, not counting added water and salt.
Must not contain added sulfites; except that, wine may contain added sulfur dioxide in accordance with 7 CFR 205.605. May contain up to 30% of:
|
| Your label MUST: | Show an ingredient statement.
List the organic ingredients as "organic" when other organic labeling is shown.1 Water and salt included as ingredients must not be identified as organic. (IS) Show below the name and address of the handler (bottler, distributor, importer, manufacturer, packer, processor, etc.) of the finished product, the statement:
|
| Your label MAY show: | The term "Made with organic ___ (specified
ingredients or food groups)." (PDP/IP/OP)
"X% organic" or "X% organic ingredients." (PDP/IP/OP) The certifying agent seal(s). (PDP/OP) The certifying agent business/Internet address or telephone number. (IP) |
| Your label MUST NOT show: | The USDA Organic seal |
1 To identify an ingredient as organically produced, in the ingredients statement, use the word, "organic" in conjunction with the name of the ingredient, or an asterisk or other reference mark which is defined below the ingredient statement.
| If you want to claim: | That your product has some organic ingredients |
|
Your product: |
May contain less than 70% organic ingredients, not counting added water and salt.
May contain over 30% of:
|
| Your label MUST: |
Show an ingredient statement when the word organic is used.
Identify organic ingredients as "organic" in the ingredients statement1 when % organic is displayed. Water and salt included as ingredients must not be identified as organic. (IS) |
| Your label MAY show: | The organic status of ingredients in the
ingredients statement.1 Water and salt included as
ingredients must not be identified as organic. (IS)
"X% organic ingredients" when organically produced ingredients are identified in the ingredient statement. (IP) |
| Your label MUST NOT show: | Any other reference to organic contents.
The USDA Organic seal. The certifying agent seal. |
1 To identify an ingredient as organically produced, in the ingredients statement, use the word, "organic" in conjunction with the name of the ingredient, or an asterisk or other reference mark which is defined below the ingredient statement.
