Not All Organic Labels Are Created Equal...
Only 2 of the 4 types of organic labeling are worthy of the USDA certified seal
We’ve all seen it, the little mostly green and white “USDA Organic” circle found on the labels of an ever-increasing number of natural based foods and products, but did you realize that even though the label may include this certified seal, it may not actually indicate a 100% organically derived product?
You are what you eat.
A relatively simple way to help optimize our health is through the regular consumption of an organic whole-food diet. This helps to limit toxic chemical exposure and optimize the available nutrients we need to maximize health. Making sure we prioritize purchases that have a certified USDA Organic label and/or emphasize 100% organic in their labeling can help assure that what you’re getting is a naturally derived product and a step toward health.
To optimize health, we should integrate as much certified organic food and products into our lifestyle as possible. This expands beyond just a whole food diet to include things like hygiene products and cleaning supplies. Of course, this is ideal, and we are human right? Sometimes your all-time favorite candy bar is too much to resist, and you just can’t part with your favorite perfume.
Well, there’s hope! One great piece of guidance that can help us deal with this conflict is to remember the 80/20 rule - as long as 80% of our lifestyle choices are to our benefit, our bodies can offset the 20% that are to our detriment. It’s simple choices like these that make all the difference when it comes to optimizing our health - mind, body and soul - from now and into the future.
So, what makes a food/product officially “Organic”?
According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) National Organic Program (NOP), the federal certifying body responsible for enforcing established organic standards, in order for a food or product to qualify for inclusion of organic in its’ labeling, it must have been produced through practices that support the cycling of resources, promote ecological balance, and conserve biodiversity. These products were grown, handled and processed under standards that focus on optimizing the use of natural substances, methods and practices and restrict practices like genetic engineering, irradiation and the use of sewage and synthetic fertilizers in production.
Basically, they weren’t drenched in pesticides, stripped of their nutrients or manipulated in lab. Gee thanks USDA!
But there’s a catch…
Not all organic labels are created equal...
There are 4 specific organic labeling categories - 100% Organic, Organic, Made with Organic Ingredients and Specific Organic Ingredients.
Only the first 2 categories (100% and Organic) meet the standards worthy of a fancy green and white USDA seal of approval, and all but the last category requiring oversight by a certifying agent and prohibiting methods like ionizing radiation, genetic engineering and use of sewage.
Let’s review -
1) 100% Organic -
Every ingredient is organic. Period. No exceptions. This label should say “100%” right on it. Gets the USDA seal.
2) Organic -
These products include a minimal amount (<5%) of non-organic ingredients, excluding salt and water. These non-organic components are limited to those found on the in the National Archives’ Code of Federal Regulations’ publicly accessible “allowable non-organic ingredients” lists:
§ 205.605 Nonagricultural (nonorganic) substances allowed as ingredients in or on
processed products labeled as “organic” or “made with organic (specified ingredients or
i.e. – baking soda, enzymes and citric acid
§ 205.606 Nonorganically produced agricultural products allowed as ingredients in or on processed products labels as “organic”
i.e. - carrot juice coloring or fish oil
For example, a producer could use this “short-cut” if there was an unavailable organic
ingredient, they could then choose to opt for a replacement from ingredients included in
these lists, as long as it didn’t make up more than 5% of the organic component.
So, technically about 95% is actually organic. This too gets the USDA seal.
For example, a producer could use this “short-cut” if there was an unavailable organic ingredient, they could then choose to opt for a replacement from ingredients included in these lists, as long as it didn’t make up more than 5% of the organic component.
So, technically about 95% is actually organic. This too gets the USDA seal.
3) “Made with” organic ingredients -
70% of these products’ ingredients must be certified organic (excluding salt and water) with only up to 3 ingredients being permitted to be labeled as organic. These products may also include ingredients found in the non-organically allowable list above. This category of organics also continues to tie itself to a certifying agent that assures they exclude practices like genetic engineering. This category does NOT qualify for the USDA seal.
4) Specific Organic ingredients -
These products can be any combination of organic (<70%) and non-organic ingredients. The use of the word ‘organic’ is prohibited in its primary display and certified organic ingredients are only allowed to be indicated in the ingredient list. This is the only category of organic labeling that doesn’t require oversight by an official certifying agent. These products DO NOT qualify for the USDA seal.
To learn more about the USDAs standards to certify organic foods or contact them please check out the National Organic Program
To Health and Freedom.
2 - USDA Certified Organic: Understanding the Basics
3 - Understanding the USDA Organic Label (usda.gov)