Organic practices reduce pollution, improve the environment and eliminate harmful pesticides and hormones from our diet. ‘Organics’ importance has grown to the point that there are established guidelines and certification procedures provided by the USDA to assure you’re getting an organic product if it carries the USDA seal. Here are some thoughts I have on organic labeling. To find more information you might visit the USDA site at  https://www.ams.usda.gov/grades-standards/organic-labeling-standards

“USDA 100% Organic” labels certify the contents are made with 100% all organic ingredients.

“USDA Organic” labels certify the contents contain 95% organic ingredients.

“Made with organic” claims on the label means the contents are at least 70% organic.

Grown organic, organically raised, and organic have little meaning since they are not controlled or certified and you are basing your decision on the trustworthiness of the vendor.

Without the USDA label harmful insecticides and herbicides could have been applied the year before. A USDA Organic seal assures the ground the plants were grown in have be under an organic plan for over three years.

Without the USDA 100% organic label processors could use non-organic materials like alcohol with hexane and non-organic solvents in cleaning, the same equipment for a non-organic run, and purging the equipment possibly leaving a residue could contaminate the product from previous non organic runs.

Being organic is not easy but it assures you that:

• The field has had no application of synthetic or non-organic substances for the last 3 years, and may not have a rotation plan.
• The plants were grown with organic principles using only approved certified nutrients.
• Pest control was performed in an organic manner.
• During harvest and processing care was taken to prevent any contamination with synthetics and non-organic residues.

I hope this gives you a better understanding on the value of the USDA organic label.