prAna: Sustainable Clothing

Cross Posted From The Rodaleinstitute.org

Organic or “Natural”: A defined system vs. a “feel-good” claim

In the United States, only farms and businesses that meet federal U.S. Department of Agriculture standards of the National Organic Program can market their products using the word “organic.”

What does “USDA certified organic” mean?

When you buy a product that is USDA Certified Organic you can be confident that it was grown in a way that protects the health of you, your family and the planet

Here’s what certified organic is not: chemical fertilizers and pesticides, GMO seeds, biosolids (sewer sludge), or irradiated.

What is organic? Food grown with tried-and-true, sustainable methods that are as close to nature as possible. Organic farmers use compost, crop rotations and cover crops instead of chemical additives. Certified Organic meat, eggs and dairy are free of antibiotics and growth hormones. They are produced in environments where animals are fed 100% organic feeds and have access to outdoors and pasture.

From field to fork, organic farming has many positive benefits for your health and the health of the planet.

Certified organic farmers follow strict rules and are monitored closely to ensure that the standards are being upheld.

Organic farmers have a formal “organic systems plan” to document how they improve soil, manage animals, and use only natural materials or synthetics allowed on the “national list” as alternatives to synthetic pesticides, chemical fertilizers, and pharmaceuticals that are forbidden from use. Their farms are inspected annually by accredited certification agents to guarantee they are following their approved system plan. Non-organic farmers have no such requirements.

Every organic acre reduces the use of toxic chemicals and fossil-fuel based fertilizers, improving watersheds, decreasing pesticide residue and promoting biodiversity.

When you buy organic foods you can feel safe knowing they have been produced in ways that put your family’s health first

What does “Natural” mean?

The USDA’s guidelines for natural are voluntary and have no clear definition. The word “natural” can be also used without reference to any standard.

Generally, a “natural” product is one that is minimally processed, does not contain artificial preservatives, and does not have artificial colors, flavors, sweeteners, preservatives, additives or artificial or synthetic ingredients.

The USDA “natural” label is a processing description for meat and poultry items, and has nothing to do with how the food was grown, whether it is healthy or was produced in an environmentally responsible way.

The USDA states that any natural claim based on this definition “should be accompanied by a brief statement which explains what is meant by the term natural…directly beneath or beside all natural claims.” Again there is no certification, inspection, or compliance required by these regulations.

Long story short: The only legal requirement for these products would be the general regulations and health codes that all foods must pass in the United States.

Read more about Organic and “Natural” products:

See the U.S. organic standards for yourself at the National Organic Program’s website.

Read more about what the organic label means here.

FAQs on organic certification, safety, cost, scale and more

USDA’s “natural” processing definition: Food Standards and Labeling Policy Book (2005)