Organic Foods & Their Labels

What does organic mean?

Organic means that food products have not been grown using pesticides, synthetic fertilizers or a host of other methods including bioengineering (this includes growth hormones, antibiotics and genetically modified organisms) as well as radiation (including ionizing radiation). Here is a list of facts that help define if a product is actually organic

• Animals have not been treated with: antibiotics, growth hormones, or feed made from animal byproducts.
• Animals must have been fed organic feed for at least a year.
• Animals must have access to the outdoors.
• Food hasn’t been genetically modified or irradiated.
• Fertilizer does not contain sewage sludge or synthetic ingredients.
• Produce hasn’t been contaminated with synthetic chemicals used as pesticide

What does the label mean on an organic product?

A label is the display of written, printed, or graphic matter upon the immediate container (not including package liners) of any food product. Here is a list of facts that help define the label of organic products:

• 100% Organic: Product must contain 100 percent organic ingredients.
• Organic: At least 95 percent of ingredients are organically produced.
• Made with Organic Ingredients: At least 70 percent of ingredients are organic. The remaining 30 percent must come from the USDA’s approved list.
• Free-range or Free-roaming: Misleading term applied to chicken, eggs and other meat. The animal did not necessarily spend a good portion of its life outdoors. The rule states only that outdoor access be made available for an undetermined period each day. U.S. government standards are weak in this area.
• Natural or All Natural: Does not mean organic. There is no standard definition for this term except with meat and poultry products. (USDA defines natural as not containing any artificial flavoring, colors, chemical preservatives, or synthetic ingredients). The claim is not verified. The producer or manufacturer alone decides whether to use it.