Natural,Organic or Certified Organic - What’s the difference?
Doctors, Eating, Entertainment, Fast Food, Food, Products, Restaurants, Shopping
Consumers have often been challenged by confusing marketing and advertisements touting foods as Organic or Natural without really understanding what makes the distinction if any.
Organic foods usually means that no pesticides, chemicals or “unnatural” methods were used to grow or raise the crop or animal. It was also a sign that the food had no additives or preservatives.
In the past, any one shopping in the grocery store would immediately recognize the Organic produce section. Much of the fruits and vegetables would be smaller than the non-organic section and often have spots on them. Naturalists and Vegans would express delight at the unsightly selection as being the way god intended. It wasn’t spoiled but compared to the rest of the produce in the other sections it did look sickly.
Meats on the other hand were a different story and were highly prized for both it’s healthier condition and fuller flavor.
These days Organic farming has greatly improved to the point where you can hardly tell the difference between the two. But what exactly does it mean to be Organic vs Natural and does being certified make a difference?
The answer is actually very simple.
To be organic you must adhere to organic, non-pesticide, non-hormonal and non-chemical farming techniques. If you are to be Certified Organic then you must meet the USDA standards for organic and be monitored in your process and harvests.
However to be natural only means that you do not use chemicals or pesticides. Some non-natural methods are still allowed by the FDA and the company can still use the Natural term. Being a “Natural” product doesn’t carry with it any kind of seal or certification and the USDA doesn’t monitor the company.
A “Natural” food product usually means it’s more of an advertising label than a farming technique.
Also be aware that unless the product say ”Certified organic” it’s not inspected by the USDA to verify that only organic farming techniques have been used. Again the term Organic has become synonymous with Natural and so have lost a lot of the original appeal and credibility.
The Federal Government does require that all products and produce, if they wish to be part of the health trend and be taken as such, must state in their labels whether they are Organic, Natural or Certified Organic.
Become your own inspector when shopping for truly Organic products and make sure is has the elusive stamp of Certification.
If being Organic isn’t that important to you than enjoy the latest in irradiated, GMO foods.
Torchon @ August 6, 2008