Natural & Organic
Organic Foods
The USDA maintains national standards for organically produced agricultural products to ensure consumers that the products marketed as organic meet consistent, uniform standards.
Labeling requirements are based on the percentage of organic ingredients in a product.
100% Organic: Excluding water and salt, these products must contain only organically produced ingredients and processing aids.
Organic: These products must consist of at least 95% organically produced ingredients.
Made with Organic Ingredients:
These processed products must contain at least 70% organic ingredients and may list up to three of those ingredients on packaging.
Click here to read more about Organic Labeling.
Natural Foods
The USDA only defines natural in terms of meat and poultry: "A product containing no artificial ingredient or added color and is only minimally processed." Minimal processing means that the product was processed in a manner that does not fundamentally alter the product. The label must include a statement explaining the meaning of the term natural (such as "no artificial ingredients; minimally processed").
The FDA has not yet developed a definition for the use of the term natural or its derivatives. The claim can be made generally if the food does not contain added color, artificial flavors or synthetic substances.
What is Organic Production?
USDA National Organic Standards Board (NOSB) definition, April 1995
"Organic agriculture is an ecological production management system that promotes and enhances biodiversity, biological cycles and soil biological activity. It is based on minimal use of off-farm inputs and on management practices that restore, maintain and enhance ecological harmony."
"Organic is a labeling term that denotes products produced under the authority of the Organic Foods Production Act. The principal guidelines for organic production are to use materials and practices that enhance the ecological balance of natural systems and that integrate the parts of the farming system into an ecological whole."
"Organic agriculture practices cannot ensure that products are completely free of residues; however, methods are used to minimize pollution from air, soil and water."
"Organic food handlers, processors and retailers adhere to standards that maintain the integrity of organic agricultural products. The primary goal of organic agriculture is to optimize the health and productivity of interdependent communities of soil life, plants, animals and people."
What is Organic Food?
USDA Consumer Brochure: Organic Food Standards and Labels: The Facts
"What is organic food? Organic food is produced by farmers who emphasize the use of renewable resources and the conservation of soil and water to enhance environmental quality for future generations. Organic meat, poultry, eggs, and dairy products come from animals that are given no antibiotics or growth hormones. Organic food is produced without using most conventional pesticides; fertilizers made with synthetic ingredients or sewage sludge; bioengineering; or ionizing radiation. Before a product can be labeled 'organic,' a Government-approved certifier inspects the farm where the food is grown to make sure the farmer is following all the rules necessary to meetUSDA organic standards. Companies that handle or process organic food before it gets to your local supermarket or restaurant must be certified, too."
Consumer Brochure, USDA National Organic Program.
The Bottom Line
is that products labeled organic are held to high standards and regulated by the USDA. Except for meat and poultry, the term natural is not defined and can mean several different things. Read the ingredients of the product to know exactly what you are buying.
Although Bruno's does not endorse any of these opinions, here are some links to further reading about organic and natural foods: