Definition of organic according to the USDA

Not all organic food is created equal, this an important fact to keep in mind when shopping for healthy food. In an effort to prevent food manufacturers from fraudulently marketing incorrectly labeled food, the USDA has implemented a set of labeling rules to clarify the levels of food purity. They are still somewhat confusing if the consumer is not completely aware of the guidelines for the various levels. The following rules are for foods containing more than one ingredient, such as cereal:

• 100% Organic- means that every ingredient in the product was raised and harvested in an organic environment as approved and certified by the USDA.
• Organic- means that 70 to 95 percent of all the ingredients have been raised in a USDA approved manner
• Any product containing ingredients with less than a 70 percent organic content can separately list each ingredient that falls into the USDA organic category, but the product may not display a label claiming the product as organic.

For foods containing one ingredient, such as milk, eggs or fruit, an official USDA Organic label is displayed on the package or the fruit.

Before 2002 there were no such guidelines placed on food manufacturers. Since that time food producers have fallen under stricter regulations to be considered as organic. In order to qualify as organic farmers, the producers must  use renewable resources and endeavor to conserve soil and water to enhance the environmental quality for future generations.  Organic meat, poultry, eggs, and dairy products come from animals that are given no antibiotics or growth hormones during their lives.  Organic food is produced without using harmful, conventional pesticides; fertilizers containing synthetic ingredients or sewage sludge; bioengineering; or ionizing radiation.  Before a product can be labeled organic, a Government-approved certifier inspects the farm where the food is grown to ensure that the farmer is following all the rules necessary to meet USDA organic standards.  Companies that handle or process organic food before it gets to the local supermarket or restaurant must also be certified by the government.

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