subject: Organics, The Little Green Label [print this page] We've all seen those little green labels, all those letters squeezed into a quarter of an inch oval.
If you're like most people you're not sure about the association between the abbreviation and the word "organic". Asking for additional information crosses your mind, but who do you ask?
Why don't we just break down the description, so that it offers a minimum of clarity to the word "organic".
Presumably most of us are aware of the acronym USDA, well at least the US portion of it. USDA is the United States Department of Agriculture. This organization was founded by Abraham Lincoln in 1862 in an effort to establish good seed quality and information on cultivating crops. Today the USDA is steadfast in their support of America's farmers and ranchers all the while continuing its work by ensuring a safe and accessible supply of food, provides economic
opportunity's for rural farmers, supports agricultural technology, and encourages research and development. The other thing I bet you didn't know was that the USDA works to reduce hunger in the US and internationally. How about that?
Webster defines Organic as: relating to or derived from living organisms; a substance of animal or vegetable origin. Something raised without the use of drugs, antibiotics, hormones, pesticides or synthetic chemicals.
Simply put USDA Organic is a label format introduced by the United States Department of Agriculture that indicates to the consumer your product has been inspected and meets the criteria required to carry the Organic label. The USDA has different criteria for each level of organics:
- 100 percent Organic: Products that are completely organic or made of all Organic ingredients.
- Organic: Products that are at least 95 percent Organic.
- Made with Organic ingredients: These are products that contain at least 70 percent Organic ingredients. The organic seal can't be used on these packages.
- Foods containing less than 70 percent Organic ingredients can't use the Organic seal or the word "organic" on their product label. They can however, include Organic items in their ingredient list.
- You may see other terms on food labels, such as "all-natural," "free-range" or "hormone-free." These descriptions may be important to you, but don't confuse them with the term "Organic." Only those foods that are grown and processed according to USDA organic standards
can be labeled Organic.
In the future as you meander through the aisles of your favorite food store, you can be comfortable knowing that the criteria for Organic ensures quality clean food. How's that for shining a bright light on that small green label?
