An overview of the regulations, certifications, and labeling for the Organic Food Industry in the US.

1. Organic Food Industry:
An overview of the organic food industry in the United States. With a
look at the industry, marketing and investor outlooks.

2. Page Title: Page Number:
Organic Food Industry 3
U.S. Profile 11
Regulations & Certification 21
Organic Labels 34
Organic Programs & Services 52
Farming & Agriculture 56
Consumers 88
Industry Controversy 109
Page Title: Page Number:
Companies, Pros and Cons
of the Industry
123
State Profiles 133
Organic vs. GMO’s, Non-
GMO’s & Natural Foods
153
Market Overview 162
Future of the Industry 183
Investor Outlook 188
Work Cited 200

3. Regulations and Certification:
An overview of the regulations and how to get certification in the U.S.

4. Regulations:
Organic Food Production Act of 1990-
 Required that all agricultural products marked as organic would meet
consistent and uniform standards set by the USDA
 Set up a new USDA program- the National Organic Program (NOP)
 Before the OFPA:
 Organics had been certified by state and other private agencies
 “Organic” had no uniform meaning & varied for state to state

5. Regulations:
The Main Regulator of The Industry-
 The National Organic Program (NOP)
 Oversees standards and the accreditation of certifying agents
 Can take legal action for any violation of the USDA organic regulations
 Individual state organic regulations can still be imposed
 All organic producers and handlers must be certified by an accredited organic
certification agency unless exempt from certification
All pictures from Google.com

6. Certification:
USDA Organic Certified-
 Organic is a label for food or products that:
 Restricted use of:
 Synthetic fertilizers
 Sewage sludge
 Genetic engineering
 Ionizing radiation
 Pesticides

7. Certification:
USDA Organic Certified-
Crops:
A plant that is
grown to be
harvested
Livestock:
Animals that can
be used for or in
the production of
food
Wild Crops:
Harvested plants
from a non
cultivated site
Processed Products:
Items that have
been handled
and/or packaged
The USDA Recognize Four
Categories Of Organic Products:
Information compiled from authors at www.ams.usda.gov

8. Certification:
USDA Organic Certified-
Begin Building
fertility of land
for next 2
years- Food
can’t be
labeled organic
Year
1:
Crops may be
stated as “in
conversion”
Year
2:
Can be stated
as fully
organic- Soil
and natural
fertility
important parts
of organic
farming
Year
3:
Compiled by author from http://brandongaille.com/
Land Conversion Process:

9. Certification Process:
Initial Certification-
Adoption of organic practices for
36 months
Submittal of application and fees
to certifying agent
•Detailed description of operation
•Three year history of substances applied
to the land
•List of organic products grown, raised, or
processed
•Written Organic System Plan detailing the
practices and substances being used
Certifying agent reviews
application to verify compliance
with USDA regulations
On-site inspection of operation
Certifying agent reviews the
application and report to confirm
USDA regulations are being met
Organic Certification is issued
Information compiled from authors at www.ams.usda.gov
Written Organic System
Plan must include:
• A description of
management
practices
• Physical barriers
established to
prevent
contamination-
buffer zones

10. Certification Process:
Annual Renewal-
Certification is
issued
An annual
update provided
by the produced
or the handler is
given to
certifying agent
On-site
inspection is
conducted
Certifying agent
reviews the
application and
report to
confirm USDA
regulations are
being met
Information compiled from authors at www.ams.usda.gov

11. Certification:
Organic Alcohol Process-
Certifying agent reviews
alcohol label(s)
•To assess compliance
with USDA regulations
Certifying agent
stamps/signs label(s)
• Stamp verifies USDA
compliance
TTB permittee completes
the Certificate of Label
Approval (COLA)
application
COLA application is
submitted
•Label(s) become
approved by the
certifying TTB agent

12. Certification:
Costs-
 Vary depending on the certifying agent and the operation but can cost between $400
to $1,200
 Typical coasts:
 Application fee
 Annual renewal fee
 Assessment on annual production or sales fee
 Inspection fee
 The USDA has programs to help off-set the coast for certification

13. Organic Labels:
An overview of the requirements for labeling for 100% 95% and 70% organic foods
as well as Private, Alcoholic Beverages, TTB and Farmer markets labeling process

14. Organic Labels:
“100% Organic”-
 Raw or processed products can
only contain:
 Certified organic ingredients
 Certified organic processing aids
 May not contain any materials from
the National List of Allowed and
Prohibited Substances
 Must state the name of the
certifying agent on the information
panel
 May include USDA organic seal
and/or 100% organic claim
 Show an ingredient statement
when the product consists of more
than one ingredient
All pictures from Google.com

15. Organic Labels:
“Organic” Label Requirements-
 95% of product must be certified
organic agricultural products
 Must not contain added sulfites
 Must state the name of the
certifying agent on the information
panel
 May include USDA organic seal
and/or organic claim
 Must identify organic ingredients
All pictures from Google.com
100%
Organic

16. Organic Labels:
“Made With” Label Requirements-
 At least 70% certified organic
produced ingredients
 Must state the name of the
certifying agent on the information
panel
 May state “made with organic ---”
 May not include USDA organic seal
anywhere
All pictures from Google.com

17. Organic Labels:
Private Labels-
 To be certified, must have all information concerning labels, formulas, and
production
 Must state the name of the certifying agent on the information panel
 Co-packers, must have all information concerning labels, formulas, and
suppliers

18. Organic Labels:
Alcoholic Beverages-
 Organic alcohol must meet TTB regulations & USDA organic regulations
 Non-certified operations:
 NO organic claim on the principal display panel
 No USDA organic seal anywhere on the label
 Can identify certified organic ingredients on the information panel with the
percentage of certified organic ingredients

19. Organic Labels:
Farmer’s Markets-
 “Organic” farmers and vendors must comply with the USDA regulations
 Most farms and business that grow, handle, or process organic products must
be certified
 Producers and handlers that sell less than $5,000 per year of organic products are
exempted
All pictures from Google.com

20. Organic Labels:
Seal-
 The colors of the NOP seal must appear as described in the NOP regulations
 Look alike logos are not permitted
Imaged sourced from: http://www.ams.usda.gov/sites/default/files/media/OrganicLabelingTrainingModule.pdf

21. Organic Programs & Services:
Top programs for farmers

22. Organic Programs and Services:
Top Programs for Farmers-
National Organic Standards Board- A board appointed by the U.S. Secretary of Agriculture to advise USDA
on the organic standards. Public testimony of organic standards are heard at its regular meetings
Organic Certification Cost Share Programs-Programs reimburse a portion of paid certification costs.
Once certified, an annual reimbursement for up to 75% of certification costs, with a maximum of
$750 per certification scope (crops, livestock, wild crops and handling) can be awarded
Transition Incentives Program- Gives retired/retiring farmers or operators with two additional rental
payments on land with expiring Conservation Reserve Program contracts, on the condition they sell or
rent this land to a beginner or a socially disadvantaged group
Conservation Loan Program- Proves loans to cover the costs of conservation projects. Loans can be used
to convert to organic production systems
Information compiled from authors at www.ams.usda.gov

23. Organic Programs and Services:
Top Programs for Farmers-
Business and Industry Guaranteed Loans- Loans that improve, develop, or finance
business, industry, and employment and improve the economic and environmental
climate in rural communities
Rural Business Development Grants- Grants that support development of physical
infrastructure and facilities. They can also support training and assistance for
business development
Environmental Quality Incentives Program Organic Initiative (EQIP OI)- Assists
participants to install or implement conservation practices that can support
organic practices
Microloans- Loans with shortened application processes and reduced paperwork for
smaller, non-traditional, and niche farm operators
Information compiled from authors at www.ams.usda.gov

24. Organic Programs and Services:
Cost Share Programs-
National Organic
Certification Cost
Share Program
• Available to producers and handlers-all four levels of
certification
• Available in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, the
American Samoa, the Commonwealth of the Northern
Mariana Islands, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico,
Guam, and the United States Virgin Islands
Agricultural
Management
Assistance (AMA)
• Available to certified producers-crop and livestock
• Available in 16 states: Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii,
Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Nevada, New
Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode
Island, Utah, Vermont, West Virginia and Wyoming
• Producers are eligible for reimbursement under the
NOCCSP and the AMA
Information compiled from authors at www.ams.usda.gov

25. Contact Us for the Full Presentation:
Mediacontact USA Inc.
13575 58TH Street North #160
Clearwater, Fl. 33760
T: 727 538 4112
E: contact@mcusa.co
www.mediacontactusa.com

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