In the search to get the healthiest, most wholesome food to fuel our families, many individuals want to obtain the foods that are healthier and purer by going more organic. Organic foods are grown without the use of man-made pesticides, chemical fertilizers or genetically engineered ingredients.

We are all also wanting to become more environmentally conscientious and organic farming helps keep the air, the soil and the water cleaner by not using chemical fertilizers or synthetic pesticides. The concepts of green and organic are both at the top of our minds these days.

“Organic” refers to the system that foods and agricultural products are grown and processed. Organic production refers to a farming routine that maintains and replenishes the soil naturally and without the use of deadly fertilizers, pesticides or herbicides. Organic farming is based on working with the natural environment in a completely natural way.

By eating organic foods, you restrict your contact to risky chemicals, man-made insecticides, fungicides and herbicides. In addition you also curb your intake of growth hormones and antibiotics, because organic meat and dairy farmers are barred from using hormones and antibiotics. You also limit your intake of genetically modified foods because those are also prohibited in order to carry the “organic” label.

Back in 2002 the USDA put the national organic standards into place. These standards ensure reliability for all organic products that are marketed in the United States. Strict labeling rules were put into place so that the everyday purchaser would know the accurate organic content of a food. The “USDA Organic” seal can only be used on products that are at least 95% organically certified.

There are four classification categories to look for when purchasing organic foodstuffs as a buyer:

1 100% organic. These products can carry the USDA Organic seal on the label as the complete contents of the product have been certified organic

2 Organic. At least 95% of the product’s content is certified organic. These products may also show the seal but may include some negligible ingredients that are not certified as organic.

3 Made with Organic ingredients. At least 70% of the product’s contents are certified Organic.

4 Products that contain less than 70% Organic contents can only classify the organic ingredients on the ingredient listing on the label.

Some grocery stores have gone through a meticulous test to be “certified Organic”. This requires wide-ranging research, planning and commitment to the organic process and the stores must offer proof of how the food is transported, stored and sold.