3. Operations
Applications:
• USDA official regulator and enforcer:
• Mission: Ensuring the integrity of USDA organic products in the U.S. and
throughout the world.
• Organic Seal: If your product has a valid organic certificate from an NOP
accredited certifying agent or one authorized through an international trade
partnership with the United States, you may use the USDA organic seal in the
forms provided below. Your certifying agent will review and approve all labels prior
to use to ensure compliance.
USDA 2013
Black white Color
4. What is Organic
• Organic is a labeling term that indicates
that the food or other agricultural product
has been produced through approved
methods that integrate cultural,
biological, and mechanical practices that
foster cycling of resources, promote
ecological balance, and conserve
biodiversity. Synthetic fertilizers, sewage
sludge, irradiation, and genetic
engineering may not be used.
(USDA 2013)
(Google Pictures 2013)
5. Certification
§205.200 General.
• The producer or handler of a production or
handling operation intending to sell, label, or
represent agricultural products as “100 percent
organic,” “organic,” or “made with organic
(specified ingredients or food group(s))” must
comply with the applicable provisions of this
subpart. Production practices implemented in
accordance with this subpart must maintain or
improve the natural resources of the operation,
including soil and water quality (USDA 2013).
6. Criteria
Raw or processed agricultural products in the “100 percent organic”
category must meet these criteria:
• All ingredients must be certified organic.
• Any processing aids must be organic.
• Product labels must state the name of the certifying agent on the
information panel.
• May include USDA organic seal and/or 100 percent organic claim.
• Must identify organic ingredients (e.g., organic dill) or via asterisk
or other mark (USDA 2013).
7. USDA Accredited Certifying Agents
(ACAs)
• Eighty four certifying agents are currently
USDA-accredited and authorized to certify
operations to the USDA organic standards.
• Of these, 49 are based in the U.S. and 35 are
based in foreign countries. Most certifying
agents are directly accredited by the USDA
National Organic Program (NOP).
• Twenty additional certifying agents are
authorized through recognition agreements
between the U.S. and foreign governments.
(USDA 2013).
(Google Images 2013)
8. Clarifications/Definitions
Processed:There are still many processed foods made with partially
hydrogenated oils (PHOs), the major dietary source of trans fat in processed
food. Trans fat has been linked to an increased risk of coronary heart disease,
in which plaque builds up inside the arteries and may cause a heart attack
(FDA 2013).
Organically Grown: Organically grown" food is food grown and
processed using no synthetic fertilizers or pesticides. Pesticides derived from
natural sources (e.g., biological pesticides) may also be used in producing
organically grown food (EPA 2013).
Whole Foods: A food that has been refined or processed as little as
possible and eaten in its natural state, nothing added or taken from (OD
2013).
9. References
United States Department of Agriculture. Retrieved November 18th 2013
http://www.usda.gov/wps/portal/usda/usdahome?navid=ORGANIC_CERTIFICATION
Google Images. Retrieved November 18th 2013.
https://www.google.com/search?q=vegetables&tbm=isch&tbo=u&source=univ&sa=X&ei=LuaKUqn1A4GY2AX
W84CACw&ved=0CL4BEIke&biw=1440&bih=787#imgdii=_
FDA. Trans Fat In Processed Foods. Retrieved November 18th 2013.
http://www.fda.gov/ForConsumers/ConsumerUpdates/ucm372915.htm
EPA. What Organically Grown Means. Retrieved November 18th 2013. http://www.epa.gov/pesticides/food/organics.htm
Online Dictionary. Whole Foods. Retrieved November 18th 2013.
http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/Whole%20Foods?&o=100074&s=t
