Organic foods use a lot of terms and key words when being sold to consumers. And the terms that these organic foods have varies from “non-GMO” to “free-range” to “natural” and to “organic”. Knowing the meaning of these terms is important because it would be difficult to understand the difference of each from one another.
The products labeled “natural” aren’t one and the same with “organic”. most producers use the term natural when there products are not regulated by law, on the contrary the labels that
says “organic” is that which is regulated by food and government agencies and it is certified and
tested by government facilities.
So once you go and shop for food products look for those that have “USDA Organic” seals. This will secure you that the product you bought ranges from 95-100 % organic.
One hundred percent organic means that those foods are entirely made out of organic ingredients and the processed by which this food has undergone is free of chemicals, additives and other synthetics. But when the label says “organic” then the product is only ninety five percent made
out of organic components or elements. Another label out there says that it is “made out of organic ingredients” this on the other hand has seventy percent ingredients that are organic. The USDA seal does not cover these products because it is below their standards. Foods that has less
than seventy percent organic elements has the label “contains organic ingredients”, again the USDA seal is not displayed on these products as it is not within their requirements.
With products that include meat and dairy, other labels are used and these should be known by people so that they would get to know what they are buying. “Organic” label may be used with these products and other terms.
Minimally processed meat has the label “natural” on them. This means that the meat was not processed with chemicals and no artificial flavor and color was induced in it to alter its texture and taste though antibiotics were given to the animals along with induced growth supplements.
Meats that are simply cut are labeled as “natural” because there no process and chemicals are done and added to it.
“Grass fed” means that the animals are fed with only grass and no other. They are freely released in the outdoor areas. Tests from animals that fed with grass showed levels of omega 3 in high
amounts compared to others.
The term “free-range” is used on animals that are not being kept in cages; they are also free to roam around but for a limited time only. Yet the difference is hard to tell if their meat products are already packed.
“No Hormones added”, this term means that the animals raised were not induced with any growth hormones. For dairy and beef products, growth hormones are essential but for poultry and pig meat it is not recommended by the law to use such, so labeling these products are not
necessary.
Want to find out more about organic food, then visit Emma Deangela’s site on how to choose the best organic baby food for your needs.