Everywhere we turn the word “organic” flashes from labels, signs, products, services, speeches, commercials… The Organic Revolution is here. But why do some say “Organic” and some say “Certified Organic” and some say “NOP Certified Organic” and “USDA Organic”? What does it all mean, anyway?
Organic
Quite simply, organic ingredients and produce are grown without the use of synthetic pesticides, synthetic fertilizers, genetically modified organisms (GMOs), sewage sludge, or ionizing radiation. This means that no antibiotics or growth hormones are given to the animals that produce meat, poultry, eggs and dairy products.
The USDA National Organic Program (NOP) defines organic this way:
“Organic food is produced by farmers who emphasize the use of renewable resources and the conservation of soil and water to enhance environmental quality for future generations. Organic meat, poultry, eggs, and dairy products come from animals that are given no antibiotics or growth hormones. Organic food is produced without using most conventional pesticides; fertilizers made with synthetic ingredients or sewage sludge; bioengineering; or ionizing radiation. Before a product can be labeled "organic," a Government-approved certifier inspects the farm where the food is grown to make sure the farmer is following all the rules necessary to meet USDA organic standards. Companies that handle or process organic food before it gets to your local supermarket or restaurant must be certified, too.”
Anyone growing and selling organic ingredients whose annual sales are less than $5,000 can advertise their products as ‘organic’ as long as their record keeping is up to date (in case of an audit) and they do not use the “certified” statement or USDA seal.
Still, not all “organic” is created equal!
The USDA has defined three categories for labeling organic products.
100% Organic: Made with 100% organic ingredients
Organic: Made with a minimum of 95% organic ingredients
Made with Organic Ingredients: Made with a minimum of 70% organic ingredients and including
a strict regulation that the remaining 30% can contain no genetically modified organisms
(GMOs)
Any product that contains less than 70% organic ingredients may list organically produced ingredients on the side or back panel of the packaging; however, they cannot make any claims of being organic on the front of the packaging or product name.
Certified Organic = USDA Organic = NOP (National Organic Program) Certified Organic
The USDA has put in place a set of national standards that must be met – both for food grown in the US or imported. An item is considered “certified organic” when it has been grown according to strict standards that are verified by independent state or private organizations. This includes annual inspections of fields and processing facilities, detailed record keeping, and periodic testing of soil and water to ensure compliance with set standards.
The use of the USDA Organic seal is voluntary; however, anyone using the seal on products that do not meet the specific restrictions for certified organic ingredients can be fined up to $10,000.
Under the current USDA standards, only edible ingredients are eligible for the USDA Organic seal. Progress is being made for standards for the cosmetic industry. While this is not in place yet, during the development of our new line of organic skin care products, we have followed the current USDA standards.
Pure Skin by Maggie is committed to bringing you the most pure skin care available. When we say that our new line of products is NOP Certified Organic – we mean it!
Organic
Quite simply, organic ingredients and produce are grown without the use of synthetic pesticides, synthetic fertilizers, genetically modified organisms (GMOs), sewage sludge, or ionizing radiation. This means that no antibiotics or growth hormones are given to the animals that produce meat, poultry, eggs and dairy products.
The USDA National Organic Program (NOP) defines organic this way:
“Organic food is produced by farmers who emphasize the use of renewable resources and the conservation of soil and water to enhance environmental quality for future generations. Organic meat, poultry, eggs, and dairy products come from animals that are given no antibiotics or growth hormones. Organic food is produced without using most conventional pesticides; fertilizers made with synthetic ingredients or sewage sludge; bioengineering; or ionizing radiation. Before a product can be labeled "organic," a Government-approved certifier inspects the farm where the food is grown to make sure the farmer is following all the rules necessary to meet USDA organic standards. Companies that handle or process organic food before it gets to your local supermarket or restaurant must be certified, too.”
Anyone growing and selling organic ingredients whose annual sales are less than $5,000 can advertise their products as ‘organic’ as long as their record keeping is up to date (in case of an audit) and they do not use the “certified” statement or USDA seal.
Still, not all “organic” is created equal!
The USDA has defined three categories for labeling organic products.
100% Organic: Made with 100% organic ingredients
Organic: Made with a minimum of 95% organic ingredients
Made with Organic Ingredients: Made with a minimum of 70% organic ingredients and including
a strict regulation that the remaining 30% can contain no genetically modified organisms
(GMOs)
Any product that contains less than 70% organic ingredients may list organically produced ingredients on the side or back panel of the packaging; however, they cannot make any claims of being organic on the front of the packaging or product name.
Certified Organic = USDA Organic = NOP (National Organic Program) Certified Organic
The USDA has put in place a set of national standards that must be met – both for food grown in the US or imported. An item is considered “certified organic” when it has been grown according to strict standards that are verified by independent state or private organizations. This includes annual inspections of fields and processing facilities, detailed record keeping, and periodic testing of soil and water to ensure compliance with set standards.
The use of the USDA Organic seal is voluntary; however, anyone using the seal on products that do not meet the specific restrictions for certified organic ingredients can be fined up to $10,000.
Under the current USDA standards, only edible ingredients are eligible for the USDA Organic seal. Progress is being made for standards for the cosmetic industry. While this is not in place yet, during the development of our new line of organic skin care products, we have followed the current USDA standards.
Pure Skin by Maggie is committed to bringing you the most pure skin care available. When we say that our new line of products is NOP Certified Organic – we mean it!
