How to Fully Understand the Labels on Organic Foods.

 

What Does the "Organic" Label Mean?

The US Department of Agriculture (USDA) sets, defines, and regulates the use and meaning of "Organic" on food labels. It is the term used to describe raw or processed agricultural products and ingredients that have been (a) organically grown (farmed) and (b) handled in compliance with the standards of April 2001, which have been fully enforced since October 2002. These standards prohibit the used of:

• Most synthetic fertilizers and pesticides
• Sewer sludge fertilizers
• Genetic engineering
• Growth hormones
• Irradiation
• Antibiotics
• Artificial ingredients
• Many synthetic additives

Many people are not completely sure about the precise meaning of the word "organic" or "organically grown" on food labels. One of their concerns is whether or not they can trust that the words ensure that the foods were grown or produced without the use of potentially hazardous chemicals.

The first thing to keep in mind is that the term "organic" can be applied to a variety of different kinds of foods. The term can be used on agricultural products, and on meat, poultry, eggs and dairy products. And it also applies to the methods used to process organically grown foods in preparing them for market or to retard spoilage.

Organically Grown Crops:

• The crop must be produced on land without the use of synthetic substances (pesticides, herbicides, fertilizers) except those provided by the standards.
• No prohibited substances can have been applied to the land for 3 years prior to harvest.
• The land must have defined boundaries and buffer zones preventing the crop to have contact with prohibited substances from adjoining land.
• Soil fertility and crop nutrient management must be done in a manner to improve soil conditions, minimize soil erosion, and prevent contamination of crops, soil or water by plant nutrients, pathogenic organisms or heavy metals.

Managament methods may include:

• Use of crop rotation
• Use of composted animal manure with specified carbon to nitrogen ratios and temperature readings.
• Use of uncomposted plant materials

Seeds, seedlings and planting stock used for crops must be organically grown except as provided in the law

Crop-related pest problems must be controlled by mechanical and physical methods including:

• Introduction of predators or parasites of the pest species
• Development of habitat for natural enemies of the pests
• Use of lures, traps and repellants

Weed problems must be controlled by:

• Mulching
• Hand weeding and mechanical cultivation
• Mowing
• Flame, heat, or electrical
• Grazing livestock
• Plastic or synthetic mulches that are removed at the end of the harvest

Disease problems must be controlled by:

• Management practices to suppress the spread of disease
• Application of non-synthetic biological, botanical or mineral inputs

The National List provides a list of allowed and prohibited substances for organically grown crops.

Organically Grown Meat, Poultry, Eggs and Dairy:

• Livestock must be fed rations composed of agricultural products, pasture and forage that are organically produced and, if applicable, handled.

• Prohibitions regarding animal feed include:
• Administering of animal drugs in the absence of illness
• Use of hormones to promote growth
• Use of supplements in amounts above those for adequate nutrition
• Use of mammal or poultry slaughter by-products for feed
• Excessive use of feed additives
• Routinely administering synthetic parasiticides

• Producer must provide conditions to maintain and promote the health and welfare of livestock including:
• Sufficient nutritional feed rations
• Appropriate housing, pasture, sanitation conditions
• Conditions allowing for exercise, freedom of movement and minimizing stress of the animals
• Administration of veterinary care

• Origin of livestock:
  • Organic livestock must be from livestock under continuous organic management from the last third of gestation or hatching
  • Organic poultry must be under continuous organic management beginning no later than the second day of life
  • Milk or milk products must be from animals that have been under continuous organic management beginning no later than 1 year prior to milk production.

Organic production is managed with the intent to integrate cultural, biological and mechanical practices to promote the cycling of resources, promote ecological balance and biodiversity. Practices help to protect the soil, groundwater, provide health promoting conditions for animals and ultimately help promote the health of the consumer.

The National List provides a list of allowed and prohibited substances for organically grown meat, poultry, eggs and dairy.

Organically Handled:

Mechanical or biological methods used to process an organically produced agricultural product for the purpose of retarding spoilage or otherwise preparing the agricultural product for market. This includes acceptable processing aids and ingredients, appropriate packaging materials and labeling, cleaning methods, waste disposal and pest management at processing facilities.