Organic vs. All Natural
by Ashley Adams
When shopping, for food, clothes, furniture, or other products, there are a few terms used frequently that are sometimes misunderstood. As the trend of purchasing green products as alternatives to the more traditional products becomes more poplar, so too do the marketing ideas to draw consumers’ attention. There are many signs and labels that say “organic” or “all natural.” Some believe these are the same thing but they are not.
Organic, when applied to food, means that the products have passed standards set by a state or private entity that is accredited by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). The USDA has a sub-program that develops, implements, and administers national production, handling, and labeling standards of organic products called the National Organic Program (NOP). There are several different organic labels to look for when shopping. The labels can be directly on the products or on a sign displayed with the products. There is a civil penalty of up to $11,000 for each offense to any person who knowingly sells or labels a product incorrectly.
1. 100% Organic – this means that 100% of the ingredients used in the final product are organic. The USDA gives the producers an option of using the USDA Organic Seal.
2. Organic – the products labeled organic are composed of at least 95% organic ingredients. Like the 100% organic products, this label has the option of using the USDA Organic Seal.
3. Made with Organic Ingredients – at least 70% of the ingredients in the product have to be organic to be able to use this label. They also have to list at least three organic ingredients. The USDA does not give the option of using the USDA Organic Seal.
4. Less than 70% Organic Ingredients – when the product does not meet the previous standards but does contain some organic ingredients this title can be used. The USDA Organic Seal will not be found on these products.
All natural, free-range, and hormone-free should not be confused with organic. The U.S. Government does not have a definition for “all natural” and has no plans on regulating this term in the future. This leads to inadequate guidelines and leaves it to the manufacturer to define, which is not always consistent. A loose definition of natural is that the food items are minimally synthesized and the product is derived directly from a natural source, such as a plant or animal. The USDA does have a definition for free range, but like “all natural,” it is open to interpretation. Having access to roam outside, being able to get there, and what the animal will find when they do, are not part of the definition. Most would like to think that free-range means the animal has room to move in a grassy field or a barnyard, and this is a possibility. Another possibility is that the animal may only have access to a concrete slab. Unfortunately, as consumers we are not given this information when buying chicken, beef, or pork and therefore we are not completely informed.
A great option for consumers is buying from local sources; see our past blog article titled, Going Local Never Tasted So Good. Most local farmers and growers are creating a more personal bond with their procedures, leading to less impactful and more beneficial standards. Another great option is natural food Co-ops. Co-ops’ values are centered on one common program, in this case natural and organic foods, to form a democratic organization. Whether you do or do not buy organic, all natural, free-range, etc. the most important aspect to remember is to know what you’re eating and where it came from.
