The word "organic" seems to be around every corner these days, including the aisles of your local pet food store. Understanding what organic really means can help you become a more informed pet parent when choosing a food for your pet.
Organic Operations
Generally, organic operations are those farms and facilities which can verify they are using only approved substances, conserving biodiversity, and protecting natural resources. For organic crops, this means that irradiation, sewage sludge, synthetic fertilizers, prohibited pesticides, and genetically-modified organisms are not used. For organic livestock, this means that producers meet animal health and welfare standards, don't use antibiotics or growth hormones, use 100% organic feed, and provide animals with access to the outdoors.
Food Labels and the Organic Seal
In order to use the word "organic" or the USDA ORGANIC seal on the label of a human food or animal feed, farmers and processors must follow very specific methods and standards established by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). These rules are known as the USDA Organic Regulations. Be careful if you see "Made with Organic" or "Organic Ingredients" on a food label. "Made with Organic" and "Organic Ingredients" are allowed to appear on labels that are not 100% organic.
Violations of Organic Regulations Result in Fines
Regulatory responsibility for enforcing the USDA's organic standards lies with the National Organic Program (NOP), which is part of USDA's Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS). Organic certification agencies accredited by the NOP inspect and verify that organic farmers, ranchers, distributors, processors, and traders are complying with USDA organic regulations. Companies that violate USDA's organic standards can be punished with a fine.
Certified Organic
The USDA ORGANIC seal indicates the product has been "certified" as organic, meaning it has been reviewed by a USDA National Organic Program (NOP)-authorized agent. Once the product passes the review, the agent certifies that the product has been produced following all USDA organic regulations. If you see the USDA ORGANIC seal, the product is certified organic and has at least 95 percent organic content. The remaining ingredients must be foods or additives from an approved list. The name of the certifying agency will be on the information panel, located on the back of the product label.
Other Categories of Organic Products
You may see other types of organic claims on labels, including 100% Organic, Organic, Made with Organic, and Organic Ingredients. Specific guidelines must be met in order for each of these claims to appear on a product label.
100% Organic
If a product is 100% Organic, all ingredients must be certified organic, including any processing aids.The product must not contain any Genetically Modified Organism (GMO) ingredients. It is also required that the product label must state the name of the certifying agent on the information panel. If these criteria are met, the front label may include USDA ORGANIC seal and/or 100% organic claim.
Organic
For products bearing the "Organic" claim, all agricultural ingredients must be certified organic, with certain exceptions. The organic ingredients contained in the product must be identified on the label. The product must contain 95% certified organic ingredients. No GMO ingredients are allowed. The non-organic ingredients must comply with the USDA's National List. The product label must state the name of the certifying agent on the information panel. If these criteria are met, the front label may include the USDA ORGANIC seal and/or organic claim.
Made with Organic
For products that bear the "Made with Organic" claim, at least 70% of the ingredients must be certified organic. The USDA ORGANIC seal is not allowed to appear on the product label and the organic ingredients must be specified on the label. The product is not allowed to contain any GMO ingredients and the non-organic ingredients must comply with the USDA National List.
Organic Ingredients
Products that contain the "Organic Ingredients" label claim do not need to contain a specified percentage of certified organic ingredients. The product may also contain GMO ingredients. The product label is not allowed to show the USDA ORGANIC seal nor can it be described as "organic."
For more information on organic labeling, go to the USDA's web page and search for National Organic Program.