Ever wondered what the USDA Organic seal means when you're choosing food for your family?Â
Understanding organic food labels can help you make informed choices. Let's explore what qualifies as organic, what USDA Organic certification requires, and why many families look for certified organic products when shopping.Â
What Does 'Organic' Mean for Fruits and Vegetables?
When a fruit or vegetable is labeled ‘organic’ in a grocery store, the produce has been grown according to specific agricultural practices. According to the USDA, becoming certified organic doesn't happen overnight. Produce must be grown in soil that hasn't been exposed to prohibited substances for at least three years before harvest. [1]
There are four key characteristics of organically labeled produce that set it apart from the non-organic variety:
- Organic fruits and vegetables are grown without the use of synthetic fertilizers, herbicides, pesticides, fungicides, or other chemicals. Instead, produce is kept healthy using natural alternatives (like compost) to accelerate growth and keep weeds and pests away. If you’re curious about the long-term effects of synthetic pesticides and fertilizers in non-organic produce, don’t forget to check out our blog on minimizing the impact of pesticide residue here!Â
- Organic produce contains no genetically modified organisms (GMOs) and is grown using only non-GMO seeds. If you’re wondering what sets non-GMO seeds apart from the conventional variety, the primary difference between the two is that non-GMO seeds are not modified using biotechnology or genetic engineering.Â
- Soil health, the environmental impact of growing, and animal welfare (if they are a part of the farming system) are also taken into consideration at organic farms. Organic farming practices emphasize soil health by practicing techniques like crop rotation, and keep environmental impact in mind by minimizing water consumption. If animals are a part of the system, they are raised according to specific standards like these set out by the US department of Agriculture.
- Finally, produce labeled as ‘certified organic’ has met a set of standards set out by the organic certification body (like USDA Organic) and must continue to meet these specifications to remain ‘certified organic’.Â
What Does the USDA Organic Seal Mean for Packaged Food?
When a packaged food product has the recognizable USDA Organic seal on its packaging, it means that it is certified organic by the USDA and undergoes yearly inspection to keep its organic certification. To maintain USDA Organic certification:Â
- At least 95% of the product’s makeup must contain organic ingredients that are grown, harvested, and processed without GMOs, pesticides, or fertilizers. Â
- The organic ingredients in the product must be farmed with environmental impact, soil health, and animal welfare in mind (as applicable).
Not all labels mean the same thing. A product can be natural, non-GMO, or made with organic ingredients without being USDA Organic certified, so when in doubt, look for the USDA Organic seal.
A Certified USDA Organic Snack Parents Can Feel Good About
Did you know that our SuperFruit® and SuperJuice® Freezie Pops and SuperJuice Prebiotic Juice Boxes are both Certified USDA Organic and Non-GMO Project Verified?Â
That’s right! We care a lot about not only nourishing each other but the Earth too. All DeeBee’s Organics products are made from organic fruit harvested at the peak of ripeness and grown using only non-GMO seeds. Our freezer pops are also made without artificial colors, flavors, and preservatives.Â
The Benefits of Choosing OrganicÂ
We know that organic food contains nothing harmful in it, so what are the benefits? Generally speaking, consuming more organic products means that:Â
- We enjoy more foods that contain higher levels of antioxidants [2]
- We limit our exposure to synthetic pesticides, herbicides, fertilizers, and other chemicals in the food system like mercury, and lead [2]
- We get to eat food that often tastes fresher and more juicy since it is grown in nutrient-rich, healthy soilÂ
- We support more brands and food companies that care about preventing soil erosion, supporting animal welfare, minimizing overconsumption, prioritizing the health and wellbeing of farmers, and nurturing the ecosystems of the Earth.
