Defining Certified Organic

Organic, organic food, certified organic – when you first begin organic gardening, it’s hard to know what everything means! Why, you can even buy certified organic socks!

You begin looking for answers, and find certified organic websites. You study them, and become more confused. One claims that certified organic is a chemical term. Another says certified organic can be explained only in gardening terms.

Your thoughts whirl back to the beginning: organic, organic food, certified organic, certified organic symbols – on and on and on.

Government Meaning of Certified Organic

Since 2002, all products sold as “organic” in the U.S. must receive government certification. In order to gain certification, producers must submit annual organic system plans. They must permit inspection of their farm fields and any facilities used for processing. They must also prove through records that they are following organic practices. Certification is carried out by organizations accredited by the USDA and using USDA laws.

What Can Be Certified Organic

Any product or business that is directly involved with agriculture can be certified organic. Examples are:

1. vegetable, herb, and fruit seeds
2. vegetable, herb, and fruit seedlings
3. meat processors
4. foods and produce
5. beef, ham, pork, chicken, eggs, etc.
6. frozen food producers
7. restaurants

Basic Requirements of a Certified Organic Label

With a few exceptions, anything that is said to be “100 percent organic,” “organic,” or “made with organic” materials must be produced without the use of

1. Synthetic substances and ingredients
2. Non-synthetic substances specifically stated by law
3. Non-agricultural substances
4. Non-organic agricultural substances
5. Excluded methods, except for vaccines, if they are approved vaccines
6. Ionizing radiation
7. Sewage sludge

Exemptions

Can fruits and vegetables advertised as “organic” be grown under lower standards than those stated above? Yes. Exemptions apply if the grower sells less than $5,000 worth of produce in a year. That means your local farmer’s market may well be selling “organic” produce that does not meet the government standard to be certified organic.