The USDA organic label is a circle with the text “USDA ORGANIC” inside. Produce that is certified organic by the USDA can carry this label. Vegetables, fruits, meats, eggs and other single-ingredient foods will have this label if they were produced on a farm that is certified by the USDA. This label also applies to food that is grown in other countries and shipped to the United States. Foods that are made up of more than one ingredient can also display the organic food label. For instance, bread that is made of 100 percent organic ingredients may be label with the USDA organic seal and the words “100 percent organic.” The organic label can also be used if at least 95 percent of the ingredients in the bread are organic. Products made up of at least 70 percent organic ingredients won’t have the USDA label. Instead, these products may have the words “made with organic ingredients” on their packaging.
Other specialty food labels
You will come across many other labels during your shopping adventures: natural, free-range, hormone-free, and not genetically modified, for example. Keep in mind that these labels don’t necessarily mean that the product is organic. Produce that comes from USDA organic certified farms is usually be labeled with the USDA organic label. However, this labeling is not mandatory.
Organics at the local farmer’s market
Organic food available at local farmer’s markets will not necessarily be labeled with the USDA organic label. Many of these farmers sell less than $5,000 per year of organic produce and are therefore exempt from the USDA’s labeling and certification program. The lack of labeling doesn’t mean that the local farmers don’t follow USDA organic requirements, or that their produce is not organic. Check with the vendors to see how they grow their foods. If you are wondering if the produce is really organic ask about pesticide and fertilizer use. Many of the goods sold at a local farmer’s market will be conventionally grow, as well.