USDA Organic Food Production Law
UK Organic Certifications
Natural does not mean organic?
The terms Natural and Organic are not interchangeable. Other truthful claims, such as free-range, hormone-free, and natural, can still appear on food labels. However, don’t confuse these terms with “organic.
Understanding Organic Labeling
National Organic Program Background and History Fact Sheet (PDF)
What is organic food? USDA said “Organic food is produced by farmers who emphasize the use of renewable resources and the conservation of soil and water to enhance environmental quality for future generations. Organic meat, poultry, eggs, and dairy products come from animals that are given no antibiotics or growth hormones. Organic food is produced without using most conventional pesticides or fertilizers made with 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 make sure the farmer is following all the rules necessary to meet USDA organic standards. Companies that handle or process organic food before it gets to your local supermarket or restaurant must be certified.
Consumer Brochure, USDA National Organic Program
U.S. FDA has no official, U.S. government regulated definition for the term natural pertaining to the natural products industry.
FDA refers to natural ingredients as “ingredients extracted directly from plants or animal products as opposed to being synthetically produced.”
USDA has a legal definition for “natural”, but it applies only to meat and poultry. Those products carrying the “natural” claim must not contain any artificial flavoring, color ingredients, chemical preservatives, or artificial or synthetic ingredients, and are only “minimally processed” defined by USDA as a process that does not fundamentally alter the raw product.”
In the absence of federal regulation, states from Rhode Island to Hawaii are considering laws to require labels on food items containing genetically modified ingredients.
Currently, only Connecticut and Maine have laws requiring labels for genetically modified food. Vermont’s new GMO labeling law becomes effective in July 2016.
Genetically Modified Foods Current FDA regulations only require products to be labeled with GMO content information if that product presents the threat of causing allergic reactions in humans.
The truth is if you eat anything not grown in your own garden, grown from certified Not GMO seeds or plants some of your food products are GMO’s.
Who knew that growing a tomato or cucumber could be so complicated? Heirlooms, Hybrids, GMO’s. What will be next in our effort to produce more food on less acreage, in an on going effort to feed an ever increasing hungry world population?
Not from the USA. Please leave me comment about your home town and country.
If you see or read something you like Please Share By Re-blogging, Twitter or Email To A Friend
Why is Common Sense so Uncommon?
Don’t be Shy. Leave me your Comment(s)
Town & Country Gardening 
Just heard Walmart was going to only sell eggs from non caged chickens. Considering the number of eggs they sell, will there be enough producers that can produce this volume without the traditional row houses? Sounds like another play on words maybe?
LikeLiked by 1 person
Not being in the commercial egg business, I can only speculate but I don’t think the number of eggs will be effected very much. Number of eggs produced is more a feed and bird variety.
I think egg prices will be forced up in price because it will be more labor intensive to collect and process ‘cage less’ eggs.
Happy Gardening
LikeLiked by 1 person
One would think that the FDA and other regulatory agencies would disallow misleading labeling. Perhaps they are in cahoots with the Insurance companies to keep people unwell.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I agree.
You would think agencies like the FDA and USDA could respond more quickly to define terms like Organic and all Natural food products.
Happy Gardening
LikeLiked by 1 person