Organic Foods- Is There a Standard or Certification?

Can someone just slap a sticker on a product and call it organic? Who decides what is and what is not organic?

Thu. Apr 5, 9:55am

Yes someone decides. In the US, it's the USDA. Look for the USDA organic seal on packages for certified organic products that meet their standards.

Watch out for words like "all natural" or "naturally grown" - those don't mean those products are organic.

A lot of other countries use the IFOAM organization to issue certifications and standards. (www.ifoam.org)

Link

Thursday, April 5, 2007, 10:25 AM

It is tough, and expensive, to get certified organic, and you have to annually recertify.

It is true that all natural and naturally grown does not mean organic, but it does not mean that it is not, either. In the intervening years it takes to get certified from the time of appication, producers do turn to such phrases. At the Farmer's Market I take part in, there are many organic growers who simply can not use the word organic. I know us personally, we just can't afford the usda expense to prove what we do. Anyone can grow organic, only a few of us can call it that to other people.

mariarose

Friday, April 6, 2007, 4:49 AM

Sadly the term natural has no official meaning. Anyone can say that anything is natural, legally. And yes, sadly some products that really are organic do not have organic certification because of the lengthy and expensive certification process. Some small growers have chosen not to get certification because of the expense.

Friday, April 6, 2007, 6:20 AM

this is wildly interesting. thanks to those who responded and thanks op for posting.

Friday, April 6, 2007, 12:05 PM

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