What requirements must be met before a food can be labeled 'organic'?

Answer 1

The US Department of Agriculture sets standards that define thefarming practices that must be followed for a foor to be labeled as organic in the United States. The requirements are different for different products. The details are too extensive and complex to lay out in this forum. Search for "organic standardsd" on the US Department of Agriculture web site.

Overall, organic operations must demonstrate that they are protecting Natural Resources, conserving biodiversity, and using only approved substances.

Other countries set their own standards, which may be similar to or significantly different from the US standards.

Answer 2

All fresh and processed foods must follow national organic production standards and be certified by a USDA-accredited inspection agency. Only approved materials can be used in the production. No material can be used that harms the life of animals, people, or soil.

Specifically, organic farmers can't use antibiotics and growth hormones, fresh manure, genetically engineered materials and seeds, irradiation, sewage sludge, and toxic synthetic fertilizers and pesticides. Neither can they confine animals. So, for example, hens must be cage free.

A farm management plan must be in place. Detailed records must be kept. The USDA accredited inspection agency must carry out yearly inspections.

Answer 3

For products to be marketed as "Organic" they are generally produced using methods that do not include the use of "Chemical" inputs and the inputs used must also be "Certified Organic".

It is normally an advantage to the producer to be Certified by a local Certification organisations, such as ACO in Australia and the Soil Association in the UK (see the Sources and Related Links section further down this page), to give consumers confidence that a certain high standard is being kept to. Certification often involves many years of work and proof of Organic practices before certification can be given.

As a side note, not all chemicals are banned by all certification authorities. In Australia, Organic Wine Grape producers are permitted to use a certain number of Copper and Sulphur sprays as long as they meet a certain standard ( In Copper this includes Heavy Metal Content).

Answer 4

Every country has it's own requirements for Organic Labeling so I have added some information that I hope will help.

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

In the United States for beef to be sold as Organic beef, must meet the strict guidelines set-up by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, (USDA). The USDA conducts inspections on all Organic beef farms to insure that they meet all their guide lines. Eight of the most important guide lines that must be met at all times are:

• That all animals must be born and raised on pastureland.

• The pastureland must be totally free of all synthetic pesticides, fertiliser and any other amendments.

• All the animals feed that they eat like hay and grains must all be totally certified as organically grown.

• All the feed that the animals eat must never contain any animal by-products.

• The animal cannot be classed as organic if it is given any antibiotics.

• If there is a need for a animal to be treated with antibiotics due to a illness then it cannot be sold as organic. It must be sold as conventional meat.

• The animals must never be given any types of hormones.

• The animal must have access to open pastures at all times.

The United States Department of Agriculture's National Organic Program (NOP). Passed in October 21 2002 that any product claiming to be organic whether domestic or imported. Is required to strictly follow the USDA's National Organic Program.

AUSTRALIA

It is a bit different in Australia than America when it comes to organic beef. Where in America farmers must follow very strict guidelines to be able to class their beef as organic. But in Australia there is no strict standard that farmers must meet to class their product as organic. Anyone

can label their product as organic even if it is not. In Australia there is a consumer watchdog that can take some action against misleading labeling. The only problem is that the industry is not heavily regulated. This allows some people to get away with labeling their product as organic when it is not.

The best way to guarantee that you are buying organic products in Australia. Is to look out for Government-accredited organic logos. The most recognizable logo is the "Bud". The bud logo is on around 80% of all organic products in Australia. The Australian consumer group Choice recommends organic products that carry the bud logo.

UK

The authority that is responsible for organic farming regulations in the UK, is the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra). All farmers, growers, storage providers, food processors and importers of organic food from all non - EU countries as well as sell organic

products. They must be registered with an approved organic control body. They must also have yearly inspections to make sure everyone meets the EU - wide standards. Once the organic control body as cleared them as organic, they can only then legally label their products as organic.

If you have any doubt that a product is organic or not just ask them to show you their organic control body registered paperwork.

CANADA

In 2009 the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA), decided to adopt the Organic Products regulations. This was so that they would comply with the stricter European requirements for exported produce. The CFIA also then introduced the Canada Organic label to be placed on

all certified organic products. It is a bit of a mouth full but the Canadian, "Organic Production Systems General Principles and Management Standards". Or simply put and easier to remember, "Canadian Organic Standards". Is the main body that lays out the specific production

practices that must always be adhered to for any product to be considered organic and to be able to carry the Canada Organic label. Provinces like British Columbia, Manitoba and Quebec have passed legislation making the federal regulations mandatory. This is for all products that are sold as organic Internationally and within the province. So if you want to purchase organic products make sure it has the Canadian Organic label on it. The people to thank for the creation of the "Canadian Organic Standard", are groups like the Canadian Organic Growers. They were formed around the 1970's and played a major role in the creation of the organic farming standards, that is in use today. The Canadian organic growers lobbied the government for many years to implement these standards across the industry.

Answer 5

Organic food is grown or raised under certain conditions. Organic foods are grown without the use of synthetic pesticides, herbicides, and fertilizers, though USDA certification allows the use of synthetic pesticides in some specific situations. If an organic food involves meat, then the base animal was grown without the use of growth hormones, massive use of antibiotices, and should not have been fed GMO feed.

Answer 6

Organic foods limit the number of synthetic products that can be involved in their production. The label means different things, depending on what is being labeled. Livestock, for example, may not be fed antibiotics and are fed what is considered a "healthy" diet. Fruits and vegetables are not exposed to certain pesticides and fertilizers; however the "organic" standard still allows some non-organic products to be used.