The Certified Organic Label

By Susan Stewart, Organic Certification Coordinator

There are all kinds of labels. Labels that you have to read, labels that you want to read, and labels that you read and don't know what you're reading. And then there is the Certified Organic label. It's the one that says Certified Organic by... (the accredited certifying agency that inspected the product).

When you see a Certified Organic label, you know that the ingredients were inspected and independently confirmed (by the accredited certifying agency) to adhere to the National Organic Program (NOP) rules and standards. It's what makes Certified Organic different. Whether the product is fresh, frozen, packaged, or processed, if it has the Certified Organic label you know exactly what you are choosing to purchase: the most nutrient-rich food available.

The Certified Organic label was established in 2002 by those who advocated sustainable agriculture for healthier, more nutrient rich foods through progressive regeneration of soil. They believed that this type of agriculture would deliver longterm benefits to families, farms, livestock, crops, community, and customers. But there's more: Certified Organic is good for the environment.

Fields and streams are healthier without the use of chemical fertilizers, pesticides, and herbicides. The food that grows in a chemical-free field is healthier and so are the people that eat it. The animals that graze in chemical-free pastures are healthier and more nutritious. Certified Organic convenience and processed foods are also more nutritious without chemical enhancements.

When you purchase products with the Certified Organic label, you know what you are getting.