'Certified' organic means that products have been independently inspected by a third party to ensure that the ingredients are grown and processed to meet specified organic standards. In the recent past several dozen private and state certification groups supplied various standards by which food became labeled as 'certified organic'. However, in October, 2002 a comprehensive National Organic Program was implemented by the USDA. These new federal standards established strict national labeling rules for organic food items. According to the new USDA standards there are four food labeling categories: • 100% Organic: All of the contents of a product are certified organic and can display the "USDA Organic" seal. • Organic: At least 95% of the product's contents are certified organic and can display the "USDA Organic" seal. • Made with Organic Ingredients: At least 70% of the product's contents are certified organic. • Products containing less than 70% organic content may only identify the organic ingredients in the ingredient listing. |
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