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NOP 4012 Use of Brand or Company Names Containing the Word “Organic” Rev03 Authorized Distribution: Public

Instruction 

Use of Brand or Company Names Containing the Word “Organic”

1. Purpose and Scope

This instruction clarifies the requirements regarding the use of brand or company names that 

contain the word “organic” or its variants1 on the labeling of agricultural products. This 

instruction affects accredited certifying agents (certifiers) that certify operations to the U.S. 

Department of Agriculture (USDA) organic regulations.

2. Background 

Recent National Organic Program (NOP) investigations indicate a need for consistency by 

certifiers when reviewing product labeling that displays company or brand names containing the 

term “organic” or variations thereof. 

In the final rule establishing the USDA organic regulations, the NOP stated that it would review 

the use of the term “organic” in company or brand names on a case-by-case basis:

While we believe that the term, “organic,” in a brand name context does not inherently 

imply an organic production or handling claim and, thus, does not inherently constitute a 

false or misleading statement, we intend to monitor the use of the term in the context of 

the entire label. We will consult with the FTC and FDA regarding product and company 

names that may misrepresent the nature of the product and take action on a case-by-case 

basis. 

65 FR 80576; December 21, 2000 

The Strengthening Organic Enforcement (SOE) final rule (88 FR 3548; January 19, 2023) added 

the following provision to the USDA organic regulations (7 CFR 205.660(c)): 

The Program Manager may initiate enforcement action against any person who sells, 

labels, or provides other market information concerning an agricultural product if such 

label or information implies that such product is produced or handled using organic 

methods, if the product was produced or handled in violation of the Organic Foods 

Production Act or the regulations in this part. 

The NOP continues to review on a case-by-case basis the use of company or brand names 

containing the term “organic” in product labeling and has developed a set of principles used for 

1 For the purpose of this instruction, the term “organic” includes both “organic” and its variants, e.g. “organics,” 

“organix,” “organik,” “organo-,” “organically,” etc.
United States Department of Agriculture 1400 Independence Avenue S.W. NOP 4012

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NOP 4012 Use of Brand or Company Names Containing the Word “Organic” Rev03 Authorized Distribution: Public

these reviews. We recommend that certifiers refer to these principles when determining whether 

the use of such names complies with the Organic Foods Production Act (OFPA) and the USDA 

organic regulations. Also, importantly, the OFPA clearly prohibits any labeling that falsely 

implies an agricultural product was produced or handled using organic methods in compliance 

with the OFPA and its implementing regulations: 

...no person may affix a label to, or provide other market information concerning, an 

agricultural product if such label or information implies, directly or indirectly, that such 

product is produced and handled using organic methods, except in accordance with [the 

OFPA].

7 U.S.C. 6505(a)(1)(B). 

3. Policy 

Certifiers should refer to the following principles, ordered by product certification category, 

when reviewing labels of agricultural products. 

a. Agricultural products certified as “100 percent organic” and “organic” 

i. Brand or company names that contain the term “organic” may appear anywhere on 

the labeling for these products, in compliance with applicable labeling requirements. 

b. Agricultural products certified as “made with organic (specified ingredients or food 

groups)” 

i. Brand or company names containing the term “organic” should not be used on the 

principal display panel (PDP) of these products. 

ii. Company names containing the term “organic” may be displayed as the name of the 

manufacturer, packer, or distributor and listed on the information panel as required by 

Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulations.2 Nevertheless, the display of such 

company names should be reviewed in consideration of its potential to mislead 

consumers about the composition and organic certification of the product. Although 

this information is required by the FDA, it should not be displayed in a manner that 

falsely implies an agricultural product meets certification requirements that it does 

not. 

iii. Brand or company names containing the term “organic” should not be used elsewhere 

on the labeling of these products. 

2 FDA regulations requiring that the manufacturer, packer or distributor name be displayed on food labeling can be 

found at 21 CFR 101.5. 
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c. Uncertified agricultural products, even if containing organic ingredients 

i. Same as (b) above. 

These principles are grounded in the USDA organic regulations, which make a clear distinction 

between the composition and labeling requirements for “100 percent organic” and “organic” 

products and the composition and labeling requirements for products certified as “made with 

organic (specified ingredients or food groups).” For example, the specific labeling requirements 

for agricultural products labeled as “100 percent organic” and “organic” are set forth in a single 

section of the USDA organic regulations at 7 CFR 205.303. These regulations allow the term 

“organic” to modify the product name or ingredients on any labeling for products certified as 

“100 percent organic” and “organic.” Similarly, the restrictions on the production and processing 

of “100 percent organic” and “organic” products are identical and set forth in a single section of 

the USDA organic regulations at 7 CFR 205.301(f). Only products certified as “100 percent 

organic” or “organic” may display the USDA organic seal.

Thus, the labeling permitted for certified products making either of these claims allows 

consumers to easily distinguish between “100 percent organic” or “organic” products and 

products “made with organic (specified ingredients or food groups).” When a company or brand 

name containing the term “organic” is used on the PDP or other labeling of an agricultural 

product that is not certified as “100 percent organic” or “organic,” this distinction is blurred and 

consumers may be misled. 

The NOP does not make determinations about the legality of company or brand names 

containing the term “organic.” However, the NOP does regulate the use of these names on the 

labeling3 of agricultural products to prevent the misrepresentation of a product’s organic 

certification status. Using the principles in this instruction, certifiers also should review the use 

of these names to determine the potential for consumers to be misled in regard to the 

composition and organic certification of agricultural products. 

4. References 

Organic Foods Productions Act of 1990, as amended

7 U.S.C 6505 Compliance requirements. 

7 U.S.C. 6519 Recordkeeping, investigations, and enforcement.

USDA Organic Regulations (7 CFR Part 205)

3 Note that per the OFPA provision cited in this instruction, 7 U.S.C. 6505(a)(1)(B), the NOP also has authority to 

regulate market information, such as webpages or print advertising, that makes organic claims for agricultural 

products. Certifiers typically do not review market information, but if they do, the same principles apply.
United States Department of Agriculture 1400 Independence Avenue S.W. NOP 4012

Agricultural Marketing Service Room 2648-South Building Effective Date: March 20, 2024

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NOP 4012 Use of Brand or Company Names Containing the Word “Organic” Rev03 Authorized Distribution: Public

7 CFR 205.301 Product composition.

7 CFR 205.303 Packaged products labeled “100 percent organic” or “organic.”

7 CFR 205.311 USDA Seal.

7 CFR 205.660 General.

Original Issue Date: August 14, 2014