What Does “Organic” Mean These Days?

Understanding Organic Certification

Over the years the term Organic has evolved into a more complex system than when it started. Products are labeled Organic based on a percentage system – from 100% Organic ingredients down to less than 70% Organic ingredients.

A common mistake made by “newbies” is to equate the word "natural" with "organic". Organic identifies how food is grown. “Natural” refers to foods that have been minimally processed or contain no artificial ingredients. “Natural” ingredients are usually grown with pesticides and herbicides.

How to tell if your products are Authentically Organic

• Look for the word "Organic" on the product label. Basic guidelines for different labels according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) are as follows:
• 100% OrganicPure organic ingredients processed, packed, handled and transported in full compliance with the USDA standards for organic agriculture.
• OrganicAt least 95% organic ingredients, provided the remaining 5% ingredients are not commercially available in organic form and not produced using specifically prohibited methods such as irradiation.
• Made with Organic IngredientsContains between 70% - 95% organic ingredients, listing up to 3 of them on the front of the package
• Less than 70% Organic Ingredients The label will list the organic items in the "ingredients" panel only and the term "Organic" may not be used anywhere else on the package. 

• Look for the organic certification logos. Here are a few of the over 400 certifiers (government & private). (Insert a link to a picture of logos)

• Look for labels that identify products as authentically certified by a recognized 3rd-

party certifying body who verifies the claims of the producer and the marketer.  

You can be assured that the product is produced according to the organic standards after it has been certified by a professional certifying body.

Organic Certifiers of Ventura California verifies all of Sun Star Organics’ organic products every year. CCOF  

SSO warehousing and packing facilities hves been certified Organic since 200?

Country Farm Organics gives special attention to ensure that all its products are organic by checking the origin of each product. The organic certificates of such products are placed at the outlets to allow our consumers to inspect before purchasing. We also offer natural products under the Nature Quest label. Nature Quest label is for products which are usually not available in organic form. As expected, the quality of Nature Quest products is of the highest standard.

What is Driving the Organic Movement?

Organic certification is expensive and time-consuming. What’s the motivation behind it?

There are some farmers and marketers who truly believe that their efforts make a difference to the current and future condition of planet Earth. They are willing to live in right livelihood not matter what the cost.

There are also those groups of less scrupulous people who do not adhere to the strict procedures and expenses of certification and who are clever enough to reap the financial rewards that organic products bring without the expense.  

What does that mean and why is it important to you, the consumer?

• Gives more confidence that the money you intend for buying organic is truly organic.