Johns Hopkins Health Alerts | Nutrition and Weight Control | Definition of Organic Food

Are organic foods really safer and more nutritious? Before you spend the extra money, read this Health Alert.

More Americans are turning to organic foods out of a concern for the environment as well as a desire to minimize exposure to certain chemicals in food. As a result, the market for organic foods is thriving. Over the past decade, consumer demand for organic foods in the United States has increased 20% or more each year. The Food Marketing Institute estimates that approximately 40% of all U.S. shoppers have purchased at least one organic food product. A diverse array of organic goods—from produce to frozen organic foods—is readily available to consumers, and the popularity of organic foods is expected to continue.

A national definition of the term “organic” was established in 2002 by the federal government. This definition encompasses a set of standards that governs the production, labeling, and marketing of organic foods. To be called organic, a food must be produced without the use of bioengineered foods, herbicides, irradiation, pesticides, synthetic fertilizers, or sewage sludge. Organic livestock must be raised on 100% organic feed, and antibiotics and growth hormones are prohibited. To find out if a food is organic, check the label for a “USDA Certified Organic” seal. (USDA stands for U.S. Department of Agriculture.)

While all organic foods carry this basic seal of approval, other words on the label indicate the quantity of organic ingredients the food contains:

• “100% organic” means the food contains only organically produced raw or processed ingredients, with the exception of water and salt.
• “Organic” indicates that 95% of the ingredients are organically produced.
• “Made with organic ingredients” denotes that at least 70% of the ingredients in the product are organic.

For more information on organic food labels and regulations, visit www.ams.usda.gov/nop (the USDA’s National Organic Program website).

Currently, there is no scientific evidence that organic foods are safer, better in quality, or more nutritious than conventional foods. Additionally, although many people perceive organic foods as healthier than conventional foods, a USDA Certified Organic seal does not signify freshness, enhanced taste, or superior quality or nutritional content. Nor does organic guarantee that a food is pesticide free: Up to 5% pesticide residues are permitted in organic foods.

Johns Hopkins Health Alerts | Nutrition and Weight Control | Definition of Organic Food