What does the Organic Label Mean?

100% Organic  All ingredients must be certified organic along with processing aids. The name of the certifying agent must be on the label, which may carry the USDA Organic seal.

Organic  Products must contain at least 90% certified organic ingredients. The remaining 5% (except salt and water) along with any non-organic processing aids must be from a list of substances the USDA has approved for use in organics.  These may carry the USDA Organic Seal.

Made with Organic Packaging can’t include the USDA seal and at least 70% of the product must be labeled certified organic.  Non-agricultural ingredients must come from the national list.  The quality of these foods is very high however.

Organic Ingredients Below 70% organic.  The product can’t claim on it’s packaging that it’s organic, except to list specific certified organic ingredients on the informational panel.

Natural The USDA says the meat, poultry and eggs labeled with this word must have no artificial ingredients and be minimally processed.  But the term isn't defined beyond those items.  Assume natural means CONVENTIONAL.

Fair Trade Non Government organizations certify that growers received minimum prices and community support from the buyers and followed specific environmental practices. Standards are not as strict as with organics.

Free-Range Birds such as chickens are sheltered and have continuous access to the outdoors, along with unlimited access to food and water.  However, these claims aren’t certified.

Cage Free Birds can freely roam inside a building or room with unlimited access to food and fresh water.  They’re without cages but can still be packed very tightly, even when organic.

 Grass Fed Animals receive most of their nutrition from grass throughout their lives but may also eat hay or grain indoors during the winter.  Animals may still receive antibiotics and hormones, according to the USDA.

No added Hormones Already true of organic, so it’s conventional producers that tend to use this term, but there’s no certification for these claims.

Print this out as a handy reference for What Does the Organic Label mean.

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