Organic Certification Definitions

Labeling Definitions

You have to be very savvy when reading product labels if you want products that are truly organic for your family. Careful wording is often chosen to convey information that isn’t always what you think it is.

The USDA Organic seal isn’t handed out to everyone who asks for it. There are certain requirements that must be met first in order to earn that privilege. When you do see the USDA Organic seal on a product, this tells you that it is at least 95 percent organic. Here are some more phrases you will see on product labels:

• 100 Percent Organic means that the product contains only organic ingredients.

• Organic means that the product contains 95 percent organic ingredients. The other five percent of the components must be from a list of acceptable non-organic substances. This list is put together by the government, not manufacturers.

• Made with Organic Ingredients tells you that the product is at least 70 percent organic. These products can list up to three individual organic ingredients or food groups. For example, a packaged stew that states it is made with organic ingredients can say “made with organic potatoes, carrots and peas.” These products do not qualify to carry the USDA Organic seal.

Other Organic Certification Definitions

If you have tried to read the Organic Foods Production Act, you may have been a bit confused. Here are some of the terms used and their meanings:

• Accreditation: Entities that are permitted to certify a farm or product as organic have been granted accreditation by the Secretary of Agriculture or a representative of the Secretary.

• Allowed synthetic: This is a substance that is on the national list of allowable synthetic substances for use in the production or handling of an organic product.

• Biodegradable: A substance that will decompose into smaller biochemical or chemical components or parts.

• Buffer zone: This is the area located between a certified organic operation and surrounding operations that are not certified. This zone must be big enough to protect the organic operation from being contaminated. An organic farm, for example, will need a large enough buffer zone to prevent contamination by chemicals sprayed on the crops of non-organic neighboring farms.

• Certification: When an operation is granted certification, it means that it has met all standards set forth in the Organic Foods Production Act.

• Compost: Organic plant and animal materials are biologically broken down into more usable materials and used to enrich the soil of an organic farm. It must be produced in the correct ratio of carbon to nitrogen and must be produced at a temperature of 131 to 170 degrees for three days and should also be turned at least five times within that time frame.

• Prohibited substance: A substance that cannot be used in any manner in an organic operation including the production or handling of a product.

• Split operation: An operation that produces or handles organic and nonorganic agricultural products.

• Wild crop: A plant or plant product that is gathered from a site that isn’t maintained agriculturally.

More Information

This list is by no means exhaustive. There are many other terms that are helpful to understand when you are in the market for organic meats, fruits, vegetables and other products. For a complete list of terms read the USDA Definitions list.