Image linked from http://www.organic.org
Lately, people have begun to question the worth of the ‘organic’ label as more and more questionable items are added to the list of acceptable items. This is largely due to pressures from big business. Consumers want organic goods (the dollar signs prove it), so if more items can be termed ‘organic’, then businesses make more money. It is our job as consumers to make sure politicians don’t cave into the lobbying efforts of industry.
Read the full Washington Post article here.
Now, the Organic Trade Association (OTA) has refuted this article on AllGov.com and on their website. However, I just can’t fully trust the OTA. Despite their name, which leads one to believe they are true supporters of the organic movement, really this is primarily a business association, the exact businesses that want more synthetic ingredients to be labeled as okay to put into organic fare so they can make more money.
In the meantime, what does the USDA’s organic label really mean?
“100% Organic” – must show an ingredient list, the name & address of the handler, and the name & seal of the organic certifier. These products are what we think of when we see any kind of organic label. In other words, they should contain no synthetics, pesticides, or genetically modified substances.
“USDA Organic” – must contain at least 95% organic products. The non-organic ingredients must be on an approved list (which is growing all the time to include more items). The label must identify both organic and non-organic ingredients, and the name of the organic certifier.
“Made with Organic” – must contain at least 70% organic ingredients. The label must identify both organic and non-organic ingredients, and the name of the organic certifier.
When was the last time you saw a label saying 100% Organic? Were you paying attention? Probably not, because so long as the label says the word ‘organic’, we assume that means one-hundred percent. Next time, take a closer look.
REFERENCES:
Washington Post Article Disputing Integrity of Organic Label
Can USDA Approved Labels be Trusted?
Organic Trade Association Website
Deciphering the Organic Label