As I speak with people about the organic topic, I quickly realize that there is confusion about what exactly organic means. To better understand the organic label/seal, I put together this short primer based upon information from the US Department of Agriculture (USDA).
The organic label can only be used by farmers and food manufacturers who have been certified by the US Department of Agriculture (USDA). This label applied to the following categories of food products: crops, livestock, processed products and wild crops. According to the USDA, “organic regulations describe organic agriculture as the application of a set of cultural, biological, and mechanical practices that support the cycling of on-farm resources, promote ecological balance, and conserve biodiversity. These include maintaining or enhancing soil and water quality; conserving wetlands, woodlands, and wildlife; and avoiding use of synthetic fertilizers, sewage sludge, irradiation, and genetic engineering.” In simple terms, organic producers use natural processes and materials t omaintain their farm systems.
Let’s take a closer look at the organic practices used for crops, livestock and processed products.
Crops: Five practices associated with organic crops
- Soil fertility: Organic crop producers constantly build the quality of the soil by applying compost, animal manures, and green manures (cover crops). These soil practices contribute to a better environment by sequestering carbon dioxide in the soil. The result is a contribution to taking green house gases out of the air. In addition, good soil practices prevent soil erosion from wind and water. According to the research done by the Rodale Institute and described by Maria Rodale in her book Organic Manifesto, “…if all the cultivated land in the world were farmed organically it would immediately reduce our climate crisis significantly.”
- Seeds and Planting Stock: Organic producers use organic seeds and plant stock. Genetically modified seeds and seeds that have been treated with any prohibited substance are not allowed.
- Crop Rotation: Crop rotation is a key process on organic farms. This determines which crop will be planted where from one year to the next. Rotating crops (e.g. not planting the same vegetable in the same location) has many benefits including building soil fertility, interrupting insect and disease life cycles.
- Integrated pest, weed and disease management: This management practice relies upon prevention, avoidance, monitoring and suppression (as opposed to synthetic chemical treatments). Examples include putting down mulch to prevent weeds or releasing predatory insects to reduce pest populations.
- Maintaining the integrity of organic crops: Organic producers are responsible to prevent contact between organic and conventional crops. In addition, they are also responsible for ensuring that crops do not come in contact with pesticides or fertilizers. For a crop to be certified as organic, prohibited materials cannot be applied to the land used for organic cultivation in the 36-month period preceding the harvest.
Livestock: Five practices that are associated with organic livestock
- Living conditions and facilities: Concern for animal welfare is the basis for living conditions. Livestock must have access to outdoor areas, shade, shelter, space for exercise, fresh air, clean drinking water, and direct sunlight.
- Grazing: ruminant animals (e.g. animals with a four-compartment stomach such as cattle, sheep, and goats) must have access to a pasture during the grazing season.
- Animal Health: Organic animal health relies upon preventative practices that include balanced nutrition, exercise and low-stress environments. While vaccination is common, antibiotics and growth hormones are prohibited.
- Organic Feed: Certified organic feed must be fed to livestock. Pastures used for grazing must also be certified as organically grown.
- Animal Origin: The USDA specifies the following “Organic livestock generally must be raised organically since the last third of gestation. Birds used for poultry or egg production may come from any source, but must be raised organically beginning the second day of life”.
Processed Products: Three practices that are associated with processed products
- Organic Ingredients: Certified organic ingredients must be used for a minimum of 95% of the ingredients. Genetic engineering, sewage sludge, and/or ionizing radiation cannot be used in any of the ingredients or processes for organic products.
- Commingling and Contact:
- Organic and non-organic products cannot be commingled (e.g. mixed)
- Contact between organic and non-organic products must be prevented.
- Equipment used in the processing must be cleaned and sanitized between use for organic and non-organic products.
- Managing Pests: Production facilities must emphasize prevention over treatment. If preventive practices have failed, approved synthetic substances can be used. These substances cannot come in contact with the organic product(s).
When you see a product with the USDA Organic seal, you can be assured that the product meets the USDA requirements for organic certification. If a product is labeled as organic without the seal, then it likely has not met the USDA organic certification guidelines.
I hope this has helped to clarify your understanding of what it means for a product to be labeled as organic!
More about organic
To learn more about organic, check out the following posts:
References:
USDA Organic Practices Factsheet: https://www.ams.usda.gov/sites/default/files/media/Organic%20Practices%20Factsheet.pdf
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