When Can a Food Be Labeled “Organic”?

Written by Sandra Emmi


Many people today try to do their best to shield themselves from the harmful effects of pesticides, and for most this means paying more for foods labeled “organic.” However, few shoppers realize that the USDA’s National Organics Program, which regulates organic food labeling, actually allows for four different organic labels, each meaning something just a little bit different.

In other words, a food that contains some non-organic ingredients can still be labeled organic, depending upon the specific language used.

If your intent is to buy absolutely, 100% organic food products when you shop, it helps to educate yourself on the language used in organic labeling so that you know what you’re really getting.

Products labeled “100 percent organic” are single-ingredient foods, like fruits, vegetables, milk, meat, etc. These products are allowed to carry the USDA Organic Seal. Multiple-ingredient, packaged foods may also carry the USDA Seal, but they are allowed to contain up to 95% inorganic ingredients (by weight).

Products made up of 70 percent organic ingredients can carry the label “made with organic ingredients,” but can’t carry the USDA seal. And finally, the least organic products of them all (anything less than 70 percent organic) may tout the label “contains organic ingredients,” but again no USDA seal.

Actually, if it’s really important to you to eat organic, your best bet is to look for foods labeled with the USDA Organic Seal. These foods are the most natural alternatives available.




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What are Organic Foods?

Organic foods are grown using the most natural, safest farming practices to reduce the risk of toxic chemicals and poisons found on and in food. Organic foods are foods grown without pesticides, artificial fertilizers, human waste or sewage sludge. They are also processed without food additives, chemical ripening or ionizing radiation, and have not been genetically modified. Organic farmers use natural fertilizers such as compost, as opposed to chemical fertilizers, to feed soil and plants, and rotate crops, till, hand weed or mulch to manage weeds, instead of using chemicals herbicides. They also use beneficial insects, and birds, as well as mating disruption or traps to reduce pests, instead of spraying chemical insecticides.

When it comes to organic meats, they are not given antibiotics, growth hormones or medications to spur growth and manage disease, instead they are given organic food, allowed access to fresh air and exercise, given clean housing and allowed to graze, to minimize disease.

Organic food is legally regulated and must go through certification to be labeled organic. There are different labels for organic foods. The label ‘USDA Organic’ means they are 100% organic. These foods are usually one ingredient foods, such as vegetables and fruit. The label ‘Organic’ identifies foods that are at least 95% organic. If the label says, ‘Made with organic ingredients’, it contains at least 70% organic ingredients.