The USDA
United States Department of Agriculture
The United States Department of Agriculture, also known as the Agriculture Department, is the U.S. federal executive department responsible for developing and executing federal laws related to farming, forestry, and food. It aims to meet the needs of farmers and ranchers, promote agricult…
What does the USDA Organic label mean?
Organic 101: What the USDA Organic Label Means. This is the third installment of the Organic 101 series that explores different aspects of the USDA organic regulations. Organic certification requires that farmers and handlers document their processes and get inspected every year.
What are the different types of organic labels?
There are four distinct labeling categories for organic products – 100 percent organic, organic, “made with” organic ingredients, and specific organic ingredients. In the “100 Percent Organic” category, products must be made up of 100 percent certified organic ingredients.
What does “made with” mean on a product label?
Products with the “made with” label must contain at least 70% organic ingredients, according to the USDA guidelines. These products must state the certifying agent on the information panel, and they are prohibited from using the USDA Organic seal anywhere on the product. All organic ingredients must be specifically identified.
What do the USDA labels on eggs mean?
Products that include eggs (liquid, frozen, dried and pasteurized) The USDA labels you most often see on meat, poultry and egg products have to do with inspection, and often contain language like “Inspected For Wholesomeness By The USDA” or “Packed Under Continuous Inspection Of The USDA.”
What does USDA organic mean on a food label?
Organic is a labeling term that indicates that the food or other agricultural product has been produced according to the USDA organic standards. These methods integrate cultural, biological and mechanical practices that foster cycling of resources, promote ecological balance and conserve biodiversity.
What does it mean to be certified by the USDA?
USDA organic certification indicates that a product has been grown and manufactured in a sustainable and safe way. It is a powerful way to set your product apart from competitors. Meanwhile, USDA meat, poultry, and egg certification signals that products are safe, sanitary, and properly labeled and packaged.
What USDA means?
United States Department of AgricultureUSDA: United States Department of Agriculture.
What does USDA mean in cooking?
the United States Department of AgricultureAn acronym for the United States Department of Agriculture, which is a government agency established to support agricultural production and to enforce regulations designed to protect farmers and consumers who use agricultural products.
Can you trust the USDA organic label?
Is the USDA Certified Organic label just a marketing gag? Absolutely not. Organic is based on sound farming practices that protect resources, and it's backed by a rigorous certification process. You can and should feel good purchasing products with the USDA Certified Organic seal.
Why is USDA certification important?
The required certification process assures consumers that organic products meet Page 5 USDA National Organic Program consistent standards throughout their lifecycle. Certification provides a complete audit trail and protects organic integrity from farm to market.
Does USDA Mean Made in USA?
Under current Department of Agriculture (USDA) policy, beef and pork products can voluntarily bear a “Product of the U.S.A” or “Made in the U.S.A” marker, so long as the goods in question have been at some point processed in America—even if that means simply repackaging the meat stateside.
What is the difference between USDA and FDA?
An Overview. The USDA oversees over meat, poultry, and egg products. However, the majority of the food supply (80% or more) is regulated by FDA. FDA is responsible for dairy, seafood, produce, packaged foods, bottled water, and whole eggs.
What is the USDA and what does it regulate?
The USDA mainly oversees meat, poultry, and eggs — but under its umbrella also falls the Center for Nutrition Policy and Promotion, which establishes Dietary Guidelines, and the Food and Nutrition Service, which administers SNAP benefits (aka food stamps).
Is USDA meat good?
USDA Choice is the second-highest grade, with flavorful, tender cuts but with less marbling than USDA Prime. USDA Select is the most widely produced but doesn't have the tenderness and marbling of beef in the other classifications.
What is the highest USDA meat grade?
PrimePrime is the highest USDA beef grade and is the best quality beef you can find. Prime has the most intramuscular fat which makes it tender and juicy, and gives it a rich, beefy flavor. This represents about 5% of all beef that's sold in the United States.
What grade of meat is USDA Choice?
Choice Graded Beef is very high quality, but has slightly less marbling than Prime. Choice beef is very tender and juicy. It is the most widely available grade of beef, and about 50 percent of beef is graded choice by the USDA. Select Graded Beef is typically leaner than the higher grades.
What is the difference between certified organic and USDA organic?
For a product to be considered certified organic by the USDA and carry the USDA seal, it must either be 100% completely organic or be 95-99% organic with non-organic ingredients being approved by the USDA. All other products typically fall into another category: made with organic ingredients.
How do I find out if something is USDA certified?
To verify if your supplier is certified by an USDA accredited certifier, see the list of accredited certifiers on the National Organic Program website. National Organic Program (NOP) certificates must meet the following requirements: The certificate must have the phrase “NOP” or “USDA organic standards” on it.
What does the USDA seal mean?
■ As of October 21, 2002, when you buy food labeled “or- ganic,” in the United States, you can be sure that it was produced using the high- est organic production and handling standards in the world and certified by a USDA-accredited certifying agent.
What is the USDA and what does it regulate?
USDA regulations provide official marketing standards for grains and oilseeds, and require that exported grains and oilseeds be officially weighed and inspected. The Department's laws also regulate the slaughter and manufacture of meat products.
What are the factors that affect USDA certified organic food?
USDA certified organic foods are grown and processed according to federal guidelines addressing, among many factors, soil quality, animal raising practices, pest and weed control, and use of additives .
What did the USDA do under Enrique Figueroa?
I appreciate what the USDA did under the direction of Enrique Figueroa to create the federal rule for organic food in the Clinton Administration. Our first year of certification was expensive and complex but I now appreciate the hard questions and close scrutiny of verifiable facts that the CCOF inspector demanded. I was then surprised to find there was a cost share program to help with a portion of the costs, applied, and got a refund on our investment. Healthy organizations have diverse viewpoints among their employees. I think the USDA organics program is working where I live and the way to get to work where you are is to get involved. Enjoy your newsletter and blog. Flood Plain Produce, Pepperwood, California
What is organic certification?
Organic certification verifies that farms or handling facilities comply with the organic regulations and allows producers to sell, label, and represent their products as organic. Consumers purchase organic products expecting that they maintain their organic integrity from farm to market.
What is organic produce?
Organic producers rely on natural substances and physical, mechanical, or biologically based farming methods to the fullest extent possible. Produce can be called organic if it’s certified to have grown on soil that had no prohibited substances applied for three years prior to harvest.
What is organic agriculture?
It was in your old definition: “Organic agriculture is an ecological production management system that promotes and enhances biodiversity, biological cycles and soil biological activity. It is based on minimal use of off-farm inputs and on management practices that restore, maintain and enhance ecological harmony."-USDA.
Is organic food processed?
When it comes to processed, multi-ingredient foods, the USDA organic standards specify additional considerations. Regulations prohibit organically processed foods from containing artificial preservatives, colors, or flavors and require that their ingredients are organic, with some minor exceptions. For example, processed organic foods may contain ...
Is it good for the USDA to promote and support the increased production of non-GMO wheat?
It would be good for USDA to promote and support the increased production of non GMO wheat. Research is showing increased health problems with GMO wheat.
What color is the USDA?
Full color—on a white background with a brown outer circle and with the term, “USDA, ” in green overlaying a white upper semicircle and with the term, “organic,” in white overlaying the green lower half circle.
What is organic label?
Organic is a labeling term found on products that have been produced using cultural, biological, and mechanical practices that support the cycling of on-farm resources, promote ecological balance, and conserve biodiversity. The National Organic Program – part of USDA’s Agricultural Marketing Service – enforces the organic regulations, ensuring the integrity of the USDA Organic Seal.
What is USDA seal?
AMS is responsible for monitoring seal use, and making sure that the seal is not used in a way that would negatively impact the value, integrity, or security of the seal as a marketing tool for certified organic products.
What is USDA organic seal?
The USDA organic seal is an official mark of the USDA Agricultural Marketing Service and its use is protected by federal law. The organic regulations currently allow two different color schemes when using the organic seal. ...
Why is organic labeling important?
Becoming familiar with organic labeling allows consumers to make informed decisions about the products they purchase. Consumers can be assured that the integrity of USDA organic products are verified from farm to market. You can learn more about organic labeling by visiting: Labeling Organic Products.
What is 100 percent organic?
In the “100 Percent Organic” category, products must be made up of 100 percent certified organic ingredients. The label must include the name of the certifying agent and may include the USDA Organic Seal and/or the 100 percent organic claim.
What does organic mean on a food label?
Amidst nutrition facts, ingredient lists, and dietary claims on food packages, “organic” might appear as one more piece of information to decipher when shopping for products. Understanding what the organic label means can help shoppers make informed purchasing choices. Organic is a labeling term found on products that have been produced using ...
What is organic label?
Products labeled organic must contain not less than 95% organic ingredients. The remaining ingredients may be non-organically produced if not available in organic form and must still comply with the National List of Allowed and Prohibited Substances. The name of the product may be modified with the word organic and organic may be used to preface organic ingredients. The USDA Organic seal and name and seal of the certifying agent may be used on the product or package.
What is USDA organic food?
Organic food falls into one of three categories: 100% organic, organic, or made with organic (specified ingredients or food groups).
What is the purpose of organic production requirements?
The intent of organic production requirements is to improve and maintain the quality of the land, water, and air, avoid using synthetic substances and provide livestock animals with food and habitat conducive to their health and wellbeing. The requirements start with the soil in which plants are grown, how plants are grown and animals raised, how plants and animals are handled and processed, and ultimately what is told to consumers about the path from the farm to the store.
How long did it take for the Farm Bill to be passed?
It took ten years from the USDA study to the passage of the Farm Bill, and another eleven years for the standards to be established. Why so long? What do you think was happening during these decades? Lobbying perhaps? Long established agricultural interests fighting change? Or perhaps sensing new marketing opportunities?
When did the USDA start organic farming?
Due to increasing requests for information on organic farming, and in light of energy shortages and public concern about food and the environment, the USDA embarked upon a study of organic farming in 1979.
What is prohibited in livestock?
Certain practices are prohibited such as: administering drugs or hormones to promote growth; feed supplements above those needed for animal nutrition and health; feed containing plastic pellets, urea, manure, slaughter by-products, or antibiotics.
When was the USDA Food Pyramid created?
The USDA Food Pyramid The US Department of Agriculture has been issuing food recommendations for more than a century, dating back to 1894. It published bulletins, guide book…
What is the FSIS label?
FSIS is the agency responsible for ensuring the truthfulness and accuracy in labeling of meat and poultry products. Knowing the meaning of labeling terms can make ...
What does "hen" mean on a turkey label?
The sex designation of "hen" (female) or "tom" (male) turkey is optional on the label, and is an indication of size rather than the tenderness of a turkey. "Kosher" may be used only on the labels of meat and poultry products prepared under rabbinical supervision.
What does "no antibiotics added" mean?
The terms "no antibiotics added" may be used on labels for meat or poultry products if sufficient documentation is provided by the producer to the Agency demonstrating that the animals were raised without antibiotics.
When did FSIS stop using fresh poultry?
In 1997 , FSIS began enforcing a final rule prohibiting the use of the term "fresh" on the labeling of raw poultry products whose internal temperature has ever been below 26 °F.
Can a term be used on a label?
The term is not allowed to be used on a label.
Is beef considered inedible?
Due to FSIS regulations enacted in 2004 to protect consumers against Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy, mechanically separated beef is considered inedible and is prohibited for use as human food.
USDA and Big Organic
In theory this is all a good practice with a wide array of representation from all sectors involved from business owners to farmers. In reality the USDA stacked and misallocated the NOSB members in favor of big businesses; a practice that has stretched over at least three different administrations.
USDA Organic Enforcement
Likewise, laws are only as good as those that enforce them. And the USDA doesn’t have a great track record in that department so far. But if that isn’t convincing enough, here’s another example a bit closer to home to help clarify.
Why Should You Care?
Now we come back around to the original question of this entire piece. Are organic foods worth the price you are paying?
Food and Climate Change
Many prominent voices in the zero waste community believe that going vegan is the solution to combating climate change. If you don’t eat meat or dairy, then there is no need for the industry. And if everyone were to simply stop eating meat that would solve the problem.
What You Can Do and the Labels to Look For
Unlike opting for mass transit or using green energy where there are alternatives, who do you turn to for food?
What Are The Criteria For The USDA Certified Organic Seal?
How Useful Is The USDA Certified Organic Seal For Guaranteeing Animal Welfare?
What About Food Handling and Packaging?
How Sustainable Is Usda-Certified Organic produce?
Advantages and Criticism
- The USDA-certified organic label has been called useless by some, who claim that “the label confers a valuable stamp of approval on products made with government-sanctioned processes and procedures that are in no way related to safety, nutrition or quality.” According to then–Secretary of Agriculture Dan Glickman, the label is simply a marketing to...
Final Thoughts