Natural Vs Organic Foods
As society strives to increase the sale and consumption of healthy foods, more consumers buy produce, meat and other food products labeled "natural" or "organic." However, the labels are not self-explanatory, and you may be confused as to what the different designations mean. In order to make informed food purchases, it's helpful to understand the requirements the food product must undergo to qualify as natural or organic.
Labeling
Although food labeled as "natural" indicates a lack of the use of chemical pesticides, herbicides or other synthetic additives or protectants, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) does not regulate the term. When the word "organic" appears on the retail label of a food product, however, the grower or producer must meet strict production standards and be certified as an organic grower under the regulations of the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA).
Preliminary
Before a producer may qualify for a "Certified Organic" designation, the land on which he grows or raises livestock must qualify. In order to acheive this, the soil must test free from chemicals for a period of two years prior to certification. On the other hand, farmers marketing their products under a simple "natural" designation are not bound by this transition period (see Resources below).
Cost
Unfortunately, the expense to certify a farm or a producer as "organic" is cost-prohibitive for many small farmers. The USDA allows producers who sell less than $5,000 of product annually to use the organic designation without paying a certification fee. These small producers must still keep daily detailed records and submit to inspections of their farms and their records upon demand.
Certified Naturally Grown
A self-regulating organization representing small producers who sell more than $5,000 per year but do not qualify as large corporate farms offers an alternative to the USDA organic certification process. Foods produced by these farmers is likewise held to strict production standards. Consumers may purchase foods with the initials CNG (Certified Naturally Grown) and rest assured that the producer is following strict organic farming practices (see Resources below).
Methods
Seeds, fertilizers, herbicides, pesticides and soil enhancers for both Certified Organic and CNG food products must be natural. Records of organic seed purchases and receipts for organic alternatives to chemical and synthetic growing products are required of both groups. Crop rotation is encouraged to ensure higher production levels, and the soil is tested annually for chemical residue.
Misrepresentation
Unfortunately, consumers may reach for a food product with the word "Natural" on its label thinking it was not produced with the help of chemicals, when, in fact, it was. For this reason, consumers should shop carefully and choose only products with the term "Certified Organic" or "CNG" on the label if they want a food product free from chemicals.
Tags: food product, Certified Organic, Certified Naturally, Certified Naturally Grown, food products, free from, free from chemicals