Overview

What is organic food?

Food that has been labeled "organic" has been grown or raised without chemical fertilizers, pest killers (pesticides), weed killers, or drugs.

This means that farmers and ranchers who grow organic food:

• Use only natural pest killers, such as plant oils, soap, fungus-eating bacteria, or bugs that eat other bugs.
• Use only natural fertilizers, such as manure or compost.
• Feed their animals only organic food.
• Don't give their animals antibiotics or growth hormones.
• Don't use irradiation, which means using X-rays or other types of rays to kill pests, change the way plants grow, or keep produce from spoiling as fast.

Some countries, including the United States, have rules that govern when a farmer or rancher may use the "organic" label. Before a grower can use that label, a government inspector goes to the farm to make sure that the rules are being followed.

Don't assume that food labeled "natural," "sustainable," "hormone-free," or "free-range" is organic. The U.S. does not regulate the use of those labels, so anyone can use them.

What is the organic label?

^{Picture of the organic food seal adapted from the USDA National Organic Program. Available online: http://www.ams.usda.gov.}

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has developed labeling rules for organic foods. A seal and the word "organic" can be displayed on organic foods. This use is voluntary, so some organic foods may not be labeled as such.

Single-ingredient foods. The word "organic" and the seal may appear on fruits and vegetables and on packages of meat, cartons of milk or eggs, cheese, and other single-ingredient foods that are grown or raised organically.

Multi-ingredient foods. All ingredients or some of the ingredients in a food may be organic. Look for the following:

• If all ingredients are organic, the seal and "100% organic" are displayed.
• If 95% to 100% of the ingredients are organic, the seal and "organic" are displayed. Any remaining ingredients must consist of approved nonagricultural substances or nonorganically produced agricultural products.
• If at least 70% of the ingredients are organic, the seal is not displayed, but the package may say "made with organic ingredients."
• If less than 70% of the ingredients are organic, no organic claims can be made. But specific organically produced ingredients may be listed on the side panel of the package.

Why does organic food usually cost more?