By Jake Batsell

Organic food sales are growing by about 20 percent a year and are expected to surpass $11 billion this year in the United States. Projected annual U.S. sales of organic foods: $11 billion in 2002; $20 billion in 2005.

Beginning Oct. 21, foods certified as at least 95 percent organic - that is, produced without most pesticides, toxic fertilizers, growth hormones and antibiotics - can carry an official "USDA organic" seal. The new rules apply only to food produced on or after Oct. 21, it may be several months before the seal becomes commonplace in grocery aisles, particularly in the case of packaged foods.

The national standards replace what had been a mishmash of certification systems run by individual states and private groups. The seal will act as a safeguard against creatively worded packages that identify a product as organic when only a few ingredients are.

Under the new rules, food will be labeled in one of four categories: Food that is 100 percent organic may carry the new "USDA organic" label and say "100% organic." Food that is at least 95 percent organic may carry the new seal. Food that is at least 70 percent organic will list the organic ingredients on the front of the package. If a product is less than 70 percent organic, the organic ingredients may be listed on the side of the package but cannot say "organic" on the front.

• Organic food is produced without using most conventional pesticides, petroleum- or sewage-sludge-based fertilizers, bioengineering or ionizing radiation. Organic meat, poultry, eggs and dairy products come from animals that are given no antibiotics or growth hormones. Before a product can be labeled "organic," an inspector visits the farm where the food is produced to make sure the farm meets USDA

While most in the industry seem to welcome the idea of a national standard, saying it will give organic food more credibility, the new rules have irked some smaller growers. Some small-scale farmers say lowering the bar to 95 percent for the "USDA Organic" seal will encourage bigger farms to aspire to only the bare minimum.

The USDA system also calls for more extensive documentation, which some smaller growers say is cumbersome. And new rules about how and when compost can be used for organic produce have forced some small farmers to alter the timing of their harvests.

Consumers, meanwhile, still harbor reservations about organic foods that go beyond the way they are labeled. Organic products are generally pricier than standard fare, and no research has shown that they are demonstrably healthier than conventionally grown foods.

Seattle Times October 2, 2002

Dr. Mercola's Comments:

It is good to see that US government certified organic labels are now here. Organic foods are clearly preferred to non-organic. However, just because a food is organic that does not mean it is good for you.

I have seen many people in Whole Food Stores purchasing lots of the high grain and sugar organic junk foods they have.

If you can't afford organic vegetables, remember that non-organic vegetables are generally better than no vegetables any day of the week.

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US Government Finally Establishes New Federal Organic Standards

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