What Does Organic Mean? What to Know When You’re Reading Labels

If you’re trying to eat responsibly, it can be tempting to grab anything labelled “organic.” After all, we’re all organisms, and that’s almost the same word, right? But what does organic mean, for reals? And is it actually worth seeking out when you’re feeling both hungry and ethical?  

Well, we’re here to answer your biggest organic questions, starting with: 

What does “organic” mean? What are organic vegetables?

While “organic” is commonly used to refer to food and crops that are grown without the use of fertilizers or chemical pesticides, it also has a specific, legal meaning on food labels. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) limits the use of “organic” to food that has been certified by its National Organic Program, which is intended to promote ecological balance and biodiversity, and protect the ecosystem as a whole. This means that farmers and companies have to engage in eco-friendly practices like crop rotation, the use of organic pesticides, and avoiding genetically engineered crops. 

Is organic the same as “natural” or “all-natural?”

Nope! While “organic” has a very specific government definition, “natural” doesn’t. 

So companies can use it however they want, with no regulation. It’s basically just an advertising buzzword, like “tasty” or “zesty.”  

Is organic food pesticide free? 

Nope! Organic farmers use pesticides, but USDA organic guidelines require that the pesticides be made from natural sources, like minerals and plant extracts. However, some natural ingredients are still prohibited under the organic guidelines, like arsenic or strychnine. 

What makes eggs organic?

To be certified organic, eggs have to come from uncaged, free-roaming hens with access to the outdoors. And they have to be fed an organic diet that wasn’t grown using conventional pesticides or fertilizers.  

Are there different types of organic foods? 

Yep! The USDA identifies four different types of organic labels

100 Percent Organic means that the product contains 100 percent organic ingredients, which can include water and salt as they are considered natural ingredients. This is typically used to describe “raw, unprocessed or minimally processed” farm crops. 

Organic means that the product has at least 95 percent organic ingredients (again, excluding water and salt).   

Made with Organic ____ means the product contains at least 70 percent organically produced ingredients, and they have to specify which ingredients are nonorganic. 

Specific Organic Ingredient Listings covers products with specific organic ingredients. For example, a tomato sauce that lists “organic tomatoes” among its ingredients. 


About the Author

Jon Gutierrez

Jon is an L.A.-based comedy writer who's spent 95 percent of his life trying to decide which Ramen flavor to buy, only to go with "chicken." The other 5 percent? Mushroom.

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