With our increasing awareness of buying local, organic and natural foods, we are bombarded with a variety of food labels. But do you know what they really mean? To start, here are some tips when buying Organic:
"100 Percent Organic"
This food contains only an organically grown single ingredient or is made from individual ingredients all independently certified as organic. Only organically certified processing aids can be used. The label can display the USDA Organic seal.
"Organic"
This food is greater than 95% certified organic. Up to 5% of the ingredients may be nonagricultural substances, but they cannot be produced using excluded methods, such as the application of sewage sludge, processing with ionizing radiation or the addition of synthetic substances, sulfites, nitrates or nitrites. The label may display the USDA Organic seal.
"Made with Organic Ingredients"
Multi-ingredient products that are 70% to 95% organic. The label may include the words "made with (listing up to three organic ingredients) on the front panel. The nonorganic ingredients must be produced and handled without use of excluded methods. The label may not display the USDA Organic seal.
"Not enough to bother"
Products with less than 70% organic ingredients may only list the organic ingredients on the ingredient label, not the front panel. The nonorganic ingredients may be produced, handled and assembled conventionally. The label may not display the USDA Organic seal.
Happy Shopping!
Thanks to Erin Zimmerman Williams
"100 Percent Organic"
This food contains only an organically grown single ingredient or is made from individual ingredients all independently certified as organic. Only organically certified processing aids can be used. The label can display the USDA Organic seal.
"Organic"
This food is greater than 95% certified organic. Up to 5% of the ingredients may be nonagricultural substances, but they cannot be produced using excluded methods, such as the application of sewage sludge, processing with ionizing radiation or the addition of synthetic substances, sulfites, nitrates or nitrites. The label may display the USDA Organic seal.
"Made with Organic Ingredients"
Multi-ingredient products that are 70% to 95% organic. The label may include the words "made with (listing up to three organic ingredients) on the front panel. The nonorganic ingredients must be produced and handled without use of excluded methods. The label may not display the USDA Organic seal.
"Not enough to bother"
Products with less than 70% organic ingredients may only list the organic ingredients on the ingredient label, not the front panel. The nonorganic ingredients may be produced, handled and assembled conventionally. The label may not display the USDA Organic seal.
Happy Shopping!
Thanks to Erin Zimmerman Williams
