When is Organic Not Organic?

When it comes to eating healthy or making a commitment to a more healthy lifestyle, organic foods may play a huge part in the lifestyle changes. The term "organic" deals with the growing and processing of agricultural products and specific USDA-regulated guidelines must be met to receive an organic label. Although studies vary on whether organically grown foods contain more vitamins, minerals, or other micronutrients  than conventionally grown, the key is that the limitation of chemical intrusions from pesticides used and processing can still be extremely advantageous not only throughout our bodies but also our environment as a whole.

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Understanding this, the 'organic' tag not only comes with a greater cost to both producers and consumers, but also the expectation of the purity of these foods. This is why it is vital to know that just because a food may be more expensive and labeled as organic, it may not mean what you think. Here are the differences:

• Products labeled "100% Organic" must contain only organically produced ingredients
  

• Products labeled "Certified Organic" must contain at least 95 percent organic ingredients (Non-organic ingredients allowed may be used per the National List exceptions)
  

• The label "Made with Organic Ingredients" can contain anywhere between 70 to 95 percent organic ingredients
  

Also, others may list specific organic ingredients. Yet, without the USDA label, know that these foods contain less than 70 percent organic ingredients. Live well and well informed!

LABELING ORGANIC PRODUCTS pdf by U.S. Department of Agriculture