Natural isn’t organic!

dbecker70

The USDA developed strict labeling rules to help consumers know the exact organic content of the food
they buy. (At least 95% of the product needs to be organically grown to be considered organic.) Look for this
label to determine if the foods you’re buying are organic.

This list can help you make sense of current label lingo:

• 100% organic: No synthetic ingredients are allowed by law.

• Organic: At least 95% of ingredients are organically produced.

• Made with Organic Ingredients: At least 70% of ingredients are organic; the other 30% are from a list approved by the USDA.

• Free-range or free-roaming: Animals had an undetermined amount of daily outdoor access. This label does not provide much information about the product.

• Natural or All Natural: Doesn’t mean organic. No standard defi nition, except for meat and poultry products, which may not contain any artifi cial fl avoring, colors, chemical preservatives, or synthetic ingredients. Claims aren’t checked.

• Sustainable: Such products are grown according to the same principles as organic products but are not certifi ed by the government.

Before a product can be labeled “organic,” a Government-approved certifier inspects the farm where the food is grown to make sure the farmer is following all the rules necessary to meet USDA organic standards. Companies that handle or process organic food before it gets to your local supermarket or restaurant must be certified, too.

spngebobmyhero

cage free doesn't mean what is sounds like it does either. I can't remember the exact definition, but I think it just involves slightly larger cages.

taso42

cage free doesn't mean what is sounds like it does either. I can't remember the exact definition, but I think it just involves slightly larger cages.

I might be mistaken, but I think it means, the chickens are in cages all day, but they let them out for a few minutes to lay an egg, and then put them back in the cage.

ajbeans

And "natural" and "organic" don't necessarily mean healthy. Organic fruit snacks are still junk food.

spngebobmyhero

that sounds about right. is it sad i'm being lazy and not googling it? haha

Larius

How often are the inspections done?

spngebobmyhero

yes!!! organic cookies are still cookies!!!

taso42

And sometimes things that aren't labeled organic are just as good as certified organic. It costs money to become certified. Some smaller operations who follow organic practices can't afford to spend the money (or maybe don't feel like it), to become certified organic, so their products don't carry the label, but are every bit as good.

anubis609

that sounds about right. is it sad i'm being lazy and not googling it? haha

I'm inclined to say yes.

Timeforme714

Even products containing high fructose corn syrup can be considered "natural". Crazy!

mkallie

"Organic" doesn't mean "healthy", either. Organic fertilizers can be more harmful than synthetic ones.

genxrider

Buy local whenever possible. I like to be able to visit the place my food comes from (and not want to gag).

_gwen

I didn't know the difference between Free-range and organic eggs until this post prompted me to look it up:

From Wikipedia:
Organic egg production is the production of eggs through organic means. In this process, the poultry are fed organic feed. According to the United States Department of Agriculture, organic means that the laying hens must have access to the outdoors and cannot be raised in cages.[1] Organic egg producers cannot use antibiotics except during an infectious outbreak. Only natural molting can occur within the flock; forced molting is not allowed. Organic certification also requires maintenance of basic animal welfare standards.

EDesq

The USDA developed strict labeling rules to help consumers know the exact organic content of the food
they buy. (At least 95% of the product needs to be organically grown to be considered organic.) Look for this
label to determine if the foods you’re buying are organic.

This list can help you make sense of current label lingo:

• 100% organic: No synthetic ingredients are allowed by law.

• Organic: At least 95% of ingredients are organically produced.

• Made with Organic Ingredients: At least 70% of ingredients are organic; the other 30% are from a list approved by the USDA.

• Free-range or free-roaming: Animals had an undetermined amount of daily outdoor access. This label does not provide much information about the product.

• Natural or All Natural: Doesn’t mean organic. No standard defi nition, except for meat and poultry products, which may not contain any artifi cial fl avoring, colors, chemical preservatives, or synthetic ingredients. Claims aren’t checked.

• Sustainable: Such products are grown according to the same principles as organic products but are not certifi ed by the government.

Before a product can be labeled “organic,” a Government-approved certifier inspects the farm where the food is grown to make sure the farmer is following all the rules necessary to meet USDA organic standards. Companies that handle or process organic food before it gets to your local supermarket or restaurant must be certified, too.

SO...Nutritionally and Health wise, what are the Contaminant Level at which people will STAY disease FREE? Are there any studies that state that those eating "Organic" Live longer, are more disease free...What about the packaging; what about the level of contaminants the "Organic" food is grown in/feed off of, what about the WATER>>>is it "Organic" or does it come out of the Faucet, what about the rain water and the atmospheric contaminants? Do they actually measure the food for contaminant levels or is it all about "WHERE" the food is grown. Has there been a study comparing non-organic and "organic" food, IS there really ANY difference, if so how much and IF there is...The FDA is NOT doing their job!

My belief is that "Organic" is a BIG Marketing ploy. It's all about Personal Preferences of the "Rich." But there may be some validity to how meat is raised and processed. Any way, thanks for the info, it raises MORE questions than it answers.

SiltyPigeon

Hemlock is organic.