Understanding Organic Labels: A Guide

The term "organic" carries significant weight when it comes to food and consumer trust. To ensure accuracy and transparency, the USDA has established specific guidelines for labeling products as organic. Let's break down the different types of organic claims you might encounter.

What Makes a Product Organic?

Before delving into label claims, it's essential to understand what qualifies as an organic ingredient. To earn the organic certification, a product must:

• Be overseen by a USDA's National Organic Program certifying agent
• Be produced without the use of prohibited methods (i.e., genetic engineering, ionizing radiation, or sewage sludge).
• Comply with the National List of Allowed and Prohibited Substances

Types of Organic Label Claims

The USDA outlines four different labeling options depending on the product's organic ingredient composition.

1. 100% Organic: This label is reserved for products containing exclusively organic ingredients (excluding salt and water). These certified organic products may include: The USDA Organic seal and the identify organic ingredients in the ingredient statement 
2. Organic: To use this claim, a product must contain at least 95% organic ingredients (excluding salt and water). The remaining 5% can consist of non-organic substances listed on the USDA's National List of Allowed and Prohibited Substances.
3. Made with Organic ___: This claim indicates that at least 70% of the product's ingredients are organic (excluding water and salt). Importantly, products with this label cannot use the USDA Organic seal or represent the entire product as organic.‍
4. Organic Ingredient Listing: For producing containing less than 70% of organic ingredients, reference to the word “organic” may not be made on the front-of-pack labeling, however individual organic certified ingredients may be called out in the ingredient statement.

Download this chart here

New Labeling Requirements for Non Retail Containers

In 2023, the USDA amended organic regulations to strengthen oversight and enforcement in the production, handling, and sale or organic agricultural products. To ensure the integrity of the organic supply chain, the USDA Strengthening Organic Enforcement (SOE) Final Rule now requires specific label information on non retail containers used for shipping or storing certified organic agricultural products. These containers include a wide range of items such as produce boxes, bulk containers, shipping containers, and other storage containers

Key labeling requirements:

• Clear identification of organic content: Containers must clearly indicate that the product is organic using words, abbreviations, acronyms, or the USDA Organic seal.
• Unique information: Essential details like production lot numbers and shipping IDs should be included to link the container to audit trail documentation.‍
• Audit trail documentation: Detailed records must be maintained to track the product's journey, including the last certified operation that handled it.

Key Takeaways

By understanding these label classifications, consumers can make informed choices about the products they purchase and stricter regulations on non retail containers enhance trust in the organic supply chain.