Organic products are gaining hold of the U.S. market as consumers are becoming more aware of their impact on the environment and the health benefits associated with organic food and beverages.
The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) is responsible for the regulation of labels for organic products in addition to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) mandates on food labeling. There are various labels and phrases a product can contain, but these are often subject to approval by the USDA. Also, there are key differences between 100% organic products and those containing organic ingredients.
In order for a product to bear the USDA Organic symbol, the product must contain a minimum of 95% organic ingredients with the exception of water and salt. These products must be raised under organic management. Specifically, livestock cannot be raised with growth hormones or antibiotics and must be fed a 100% organic diet. The land the livestock is raised on must be free of petrol-based fertilizers and sewage.
Products with greater than 70% organic ingredients can bear a label reading “Made with Organic” and then list the specific ingredients which are organic. The organic ingredients must be produced in compliance with the USDA’s regulations on producing such products. Any product with less than 70% organic ingredients can only be listed on the information panel. As outlined by the USDA, it is unlawful to affix the USDA Organic label if the product contains less than 70% organic ingredients. There are strict penalties and fines for failure to comply with the USDA regulations or improper use of the USDA Organic symbol.
USDA Organic seal artwork to include on applicable product labels is available for download. Questions regarding organic labeling should be directed to the United States Department of Agriculture.
