What Is Organic?

The national organic standards were fully implemented in October 2002. After more than a dozen years in the making, these standards give consumers clear and consistent product labeling, as well as the added assurance of a uniform set of standards backed by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA).

Generally speaking, organic food and fiber products must be made without the use of pesticides, herbicides and fertilizers. Specifically prohibited from organic products are genetically modified organisms, irradiation and the use of sewage sludge; all three practices are permissible in conventional agriculture.

Labels

Under USDA regulations, certified organic products will be labeled in one of several ways:

-	100 percent organic: These products have been made using ingredients, processing and handling methods and materials that are in full compliance with the USDA standards for organic agriculture. They will have a label reading "100 percent organic," and the USDA organic seal may appear on the primary display panel.
-	Organic: These products contain at least 95 percent organic ingredients (excluding water or salt). They are eligible for the organic label provided the remaining 5 percent of the products' ingredients are not commercially available in an organic form, and also that the remaining 5 percent of the ingredients were not produced using specifically prohibited methods (i.e., irradiation). These products will be labeled "organic" and may carry the USDA seal on the primary display panel.
-	Made with organic ingredients: Products labeled "Made with organic ingredients" must contain between 70 and 95 percent organic ingredients, excluding water and salt. As many as three of the product's organic ingredients may be listed on the front of the package. For instance, a box containing cereal made with organic ingredients might read "Made with organic corn, oats and sugar" on the front panel. The USDA organic seal may not be used on these products.
-	Products with less than 70 percent organic ingredients: Labels on these products will be allowed to list the organic items in the ingredients panel only, and the term "organic" may not be used anywhere else on the package. The USDA seal may not be used on these products.