What Is "Certified Organic?"
As consumers become increasingly health conscious, organic foods have been gaining in popularity. With the growth of the organic market, new standards have been adopted to ensure uniform quality control in the production of organic foods. If you regularly buy organic foods, you may have seen produce and other products labeled “certified organic.” You might wonder what the term “certified organic” means, and how it compares to other organic products.
Certified Organic Standards
Certified organic foods have gone through a rigorous process of meeting industry and organization standards for the use of pesticides, additives, and chemicals in foods. In general, certified organic foods must be grown in soil that has been free of pesticides and herbicides for a certain length of time, and food producers must generally avoid the use of synthetic chemicals, radiation, and genetically modified ingredients. Specific requirements may vary among different certifying bodies.
Certifying Bodies
In 2002, the United States Department of Agriculture instituted its criteria for certified organic foods. This was the first time a U.S. government agency had implemented requirements concerning organically grown foods. Prior to the introduction of the USDA certification program, one of the first and most popular organizations to certify organics in the United States was the association of California Certified Organic Farmers.
Why Buy Organic?
Certified organic food lets the consumer know that they are purchasing a product that has been grown without the use of pesticides and other potentially harmful artificial ingredients. Buying organic is a wise choice for health-conscious consumers, and for the environment. Buy buying organic, consumers also support small-scale farming for healthy rural economies and reduced environmental impact. Certified organic foods are a winning strategy for consumers, the environment, and small businesses.
