Is this "really" organic?

guido · Site Admin Joined: Oct 18, 2004 Posts: 366 Location: Italy

The U.S. market for organic foods has skyrocketed in recent years and is expected to more than double by 2009, states Consumer Reports, but government standards for organic foods have been hotly contested. Here's Consumer Reports' guide to label lingo:

"100% organic": No synthetic ingredients are allowed by law.
"Organic": At least 95% of ingredients are organically produced.
"Made with Organic Ingredients": At least 70% of ingredients are organic; the other 30% are from a list approved by the USDA.
"Free-range" or "free-roaming": Animals had an undetermined amount of daily outdoor access. This label does not provide much information about the product.
"Natural" or "All Natural": Doesn't mean organic. No standard definition, except for meat and poultry products, which may not contain any artificial flavoring, colors, chemical preservatives, or synthetic ingredients. Claims aren't checked.

Our tip: before spending more money, check twice the label, and if still in doubt, leave that product on the shelf.

SOURCES: Consumer Reports, February 2006; vol 71:
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In vino veritas!

guido · Site Admin Joined: Oct 18, 2004 Posts: 366 Location: Italy

here are links where you can find more about organic food:
In the US:
http://www.ams.usda.gov/nop/Consumers/Consumerhome.html

In the EU:
http://www.organic-europe.net/
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In vino veritas!

paulamathers · Posted: Fri Sep 15, 2006 12:51 pm Post subject:

in the uk supermarkets arent allowed to have foods that are not 100% organic on their organic shelves. i find this helps rather than going to the market where you cant really be sure.