Organic-food labels
Image 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.
| Author: | Caroline Rea, RN, BS, MS | Last Updated: February 23, 2007 |
| Medical Review: | Ruth Schneider, MPH, RD - Diet and Nutrition Rhonda O'Brien, MS, RD, CDE - Diabetes Educator | |
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