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|  | *****The U.S. Department of Agriculture has put in place a set of national standardsthat food labeled "organic"must meet, whether it is grown in the United States or imported from othercountries.  After October 21, 2002, when you buy food labeled "organic,"you can be sure that it was produced using the highest organic production andhandling standards in the world.***What is organic food?**
Organic food is produced by farmers who emphasize the use of renewableresources and the conservation of soil and water to enhance environmentalquality for future generations.  Organic meat, poultry, eggs, and dairy productscome from animals that are given no antibiotics or growth hormones.   Organic food is produced without using most conventional pesticides; fertilizers made with synthetic ingredients or sewage sludge; bioengineering; or ionizing radiation.  Before a product can be labeled "organic,"a Government-approved certifier inspects the farm where the food is grown tomake sure the farmer is following all the rules necessary to meet USDA organicstandards.  Companies that handle or process organic food before it gets to yourlocal supermarket or restaurant must be certified, too.
**Is organic food better for me and my family?**
USDA makes no claims that organically produced food is safer or morenutritious than conventionally produced food.  Organic food differs fromconventionally produced food in the way it is grown, handled, and processed.
**When I go to the supermarket, how can I tell organically produced food fromconventionally produced food?**
You must look at package labels and watch for signs in thesupermarket.  Along with the national organic standards, USDA developed strictlabeling rules to help consumers know the exact organic content of the food theybuy.  The *USDA Organic* seal also tells you that a product is at least 95percent organic.**                                                                       *Single-ingredient foods***
Look for the word "organic"and a small sticker version of the *USDA Organic* seal on vegetables orpieces of fruit.  Or they may appear on the sign above the organic producedisplay.

The word "organic"and the seal may also appear on packages of meat, cartons of milk or eggs,cheese, and other single-ingredient foods.
***Foods with more than one ingredient***
The following photo shows examples of the labels that may be used on a widevariety of products that use organic ingredients.
***Click photo offollow this linkfor larger image of cereal boxes.***
The sample cereal boxes show the four labeling categories.  From left: cerealwith 100 percent organic ingredients; cereal with 95-100 percent organicingredients; cereal made with at least 70 percent organic ingredients; andcereal with less than 70 percent organic ingredients.  Products with less than 70percent organic ingredients may list specific organically produced ingredientson the side panel of the package, but may not make any organic claims on the front of the package. Look for the name and address of the Government-approved certifier on all packaged products that contain at least 70 percent organic ingredients.
**Will I find the *USDA Organic* seal on all 100 percent organic products,or products with at least 95 percent organic ingredients?**
No. The use of the seal is voluntary.
**How is use of the *USDA Organic* seal protected?**
People who sell or label a product "organic"when they know it does not meet USDA standards can be fined up to $10,000 foreach violation.
**Does *natural* mean *organic*?**
No. *Natural* and *organic* are not interchangeable.  Other truthfulclaims, such as free-range*,*hormone-free, and natural, can still appearon food labels.  However, don'tconfuse these terms with "organic." Only food labeled "organic"has been certified as meeting USDA organic standards.

For more detailed information on the USDA organic standards, visit our website at http://www.ams.usda.gov/nop callthe National Organic Program at 202-720-3252, or write USDA-AMS-TM-NOP, Room4008 S. Bldg., Ag Stop 0268, 1400 Independence, SW, Washington, DC 20250.

April 2002
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