In honor of Chiquita’s celebrations for National Organic Month we’re taking a closer look at how food or ingredients can call themselves organic.
What does Organic Mean?
The word “organic” has become a hot topic at food markets and dinner tables across the US, but what exactly does it mean for food to be labeled “organic?”
The simplest answer is that “organic” foods have gone through a stricter growing process than non-organic foods.
In 1990, Congress passed the which “required the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to develop national standards for organically produced agricultural products to assure consumers that agricultural products marketed as organic meet consistent, uniform standards.”
What this basically means is that the USDA had to create rules for food producers to follow if they wanted to be able to call their products organic and place the USDA certified organic label on their food and packaging. That way, consumers would have a consistent way of knowing exactly how organic their food is. The rules are strict and include the following:
- No genetic engineering
- No usage of synthetic substances
- No usage of conventional pesticides, petroleum-based fertilizers, or sewage sludge-based fertilizers (not so yummy-sounding, huh?)
Of course, there are a lot more rules like these that govern what IS and what ISN’T organic. For more information about the rules and regulations governing organic food production, visit the National Agricultural Library’s Alternative Farming System Information Center.
How Do I Know What’s Organic?
All producers must be certified as organic by the USDA or an accredited third-party certifier. Once they are certified, they can display the USDA sticker on their produce or packaging (with some exceptions). Now, there are different levels of organic certification so pay close attention when reading these labels.
- 100% Organic: products with this designation have the “USDA Organic” seal and are comprised of all organically-produced ingredients.
- 95% Organic: Some products have multiple ingredients in them unlike fresh produce which is either 100% organic or it isn’t. As long as 95% of their ingredients are certified organic, food producers who meet this criteria can also place the USDA Organic seal on their packaging.
- Made with Organic Ingredients: This is where we get specific. Products “that contain at least 70 percent organic ingredients can use the phrase "made with organic ingredients" and list up to three of the organic ingredients or food groups on the principal display panel.” However, they cannot display the “USDA Organic” seal on their packaging.
- Foods that are comprised of less than 70% organic ingredients can denote those ingredients that are organic in the ingredient list ONLY. That means no “USDA Organic” seal either.
Sources: The National Organic Program and Understanding Organic Labeling
Where Can I Buy Organic?
There are many benefits to choosing organic over non-organic but really, it’s a personal choice. Farmer’s Markets and Co-Ops are good sources of organic food and can even be a little easier on the budget than traditional grocers. However, finding one nearest to you may not be as easy. Websites like LocalHarvest.org are good resources for locating these organic food sources nearest to you.
If you’re thinking of making some changes in your food purchasing habits, don’t be afraid to ask questions! A lot of times, retailers and farmer’s markets who sell organic-certified products are happy to answer any questions you might have about your purchase.
Stay tuned to the EatAChiquita.com blog for the entire month of September as we celebrate National Organic Month with recipes, organic tips and much more!