What is organic?

Organic is a labeling term that indicates that the food 

or other agricultural product has been produced and 

processed using approved methods. These methods 

integrate cultural, biological, and mechanical practices 

that foster cycling of resources, promote ecological 

balance, and conserve biodiversity. Synthetic fertilizers, 

sewage sludge, irradiation, and genetic engineering 

may not be used. 

Who is affected by the USDA organic 

regulations?

All products that are sold, labeled, or represented 

as organic must meet all requirements in the USDA 

organic regulations. Products must be certified organic 

by a USDA-accredited certifying agent. The USDA 

organic regulations ensure that organically labeled 

products meet consistent national standards.

Exceptions. Operations whose gross agricultural 

income from organic sales is less than $5,000 do not 

need to be certified in order to sell, label, or represent 

their products as organic. These operations also do not 

need to prepare an organic systems plan. However, 

they must still comply with all other USDA organic 

regulations. Exempt operations may use the word 

“organic,” but may not use the USDA organic seal on 

their products. Retail food establishments that sell 

organically produced agricultural products do not 

need to be certified. 

What are the USDA organic 

requirements?

The organic standards describe the specific 

requirements that must be verified by a USDAaccredited certifying agent before products can be 

labeled organic. An overview of some of the crops, 

livestock, and handling standards are provided below. 

Please note that all organic operations must comply 

with all requirements in the USDA organic regulations.

Crop Standards

The organic crop production standards require that:

● Land must have had no prohibited substances 

applied to it for at least 3 years before the 

harvest of an organic crop. 

● Soil fertility and crop nutrients will be 

managed through tillage and cultivation 

practices, crop rotations, and cover crops, 

supplemented with animal and crop waste 

materials and allowed synthetic materials. 

● Crop pests, weeds, and diseases will be 

controlled primarily through management 

practices including physical, mechanical, and 

biological controls. When these practices 

are not sufficient, a biological, botanical, or 

synthetic substance approved for use on the 

National List may be used. 

● Operations must use organic seeds and other 

planting stock when available.

● The use of genetic engineering, ionizing 

radiation and sewage sludge is prohibited.

National Organic Program | U.S. Department of Agriculture | www.ams.usda.gov/nop | 202-720-3252

Organic Production and Handling Standards
Organic Production and Handling Standards (continued)

National Organic Program

 www.ams.usda.gov/nop

202-720-3252

Livestock and Poultry Standards

Livestock and poultry standards apply to animals used 

for meat, milk, eggs, and other animal products sold, 

labeled, or represented as organic. Some requirements 

include:

● Animals for slaughter must be raised under 

organic management from the last third of 

gestation, or no later than the second day of 

life for poultry. 

● Producers must feed livestock agricultural feed 

products that are 100 percent organic, but they 

may also provide allowed vitamin and mineral 

supplements. 

● Dairy animals must be managed organically 

for at least 12 months in order for milk or dairy 

products to be sold, labeled or represented as 

organic. 

● Preventive management practices must be 

used to keep animals healthy. Producers may 

not withhold treatment from sick or injured 

animals. However, animals treated with a 

prohibited substance may not be sold as 

organic. 

● Ruminants must be out on pasture for the 

entire grazing season, but for not less than 120 

days. These animals must also receive at least 

30 percent of their feed, or dry matter intake 

(DMI), from pasture. 

● All organic livestock and poultry are required 

to have access to the outdoors year-round. 

Animals may only be temporarily confined 

due to documented environmental or health 

considerations.

● Organically raised animals must not be given 

hormones to promote growth or antibiotics for 

any reason. 

Handling Standards

The handling standards require:

● All non-agricultural ingredients, whether 

synthetic or non-synthetic, must be allowed 

according to the National List of Allowed and 

Prohibited Substances. 

● In a multi-ingredient product labeled as 

“organic,” all agricultural ingredients must be 

organically produced, unless the ingredient(s) 

is not commercially available in organic form 

and listed on Section 205.606.

● Handlers must prevent the commingling of 

organic with non-organic products and protect 

organic products from contact with prohibited 

substances. 

Labeling Multi-Ingredient Products

● Products sold, labeled, or represented as 

organic must have at least 95 percent certified 

organic content. 

● Products sold, labeled, or represented as “made 

with” organic must have at least 70 percent 

certified organic content. The USDA organic 

seal may not be used on these products.

● Products containing less than 70 percent 

organic content may identify specific 

ingredients as organic in the ingredients list. 

October 2002

Updated November 2016