Through the National Organic Program, the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) sets standards that food producers must meet to label their products organic. Food producers must obtain this certification to market food as organic, including imported foods. The Mayo Clinic points out that you may see products advertised as hormone-free, all-natural or free range. The use of these terms may be entirely appropriate, but they do not mean a product meets the USDA requirements for organic food.
Certification
Before a company can label food products as organic, it must obtain USDA certification. An agent approved by the USDA has to inspect farm or production sites to determine if they comply with USDA standards. The production, processing and handling of the food must all meet USDA standards before it's labeled organic. Foods that are 95 percent to 100 percent organic may bear a seal that says "USDA Organic." Products containing at least 70 percent but less than 95 percent organic ingredients may be labeled as having organic ingredients, but the package will not bear the USDA organic seal.
Animal Products
For meat or other animal products to qualify as organic, the animals must have a diet of organic feed. Growth hormones, antibiotics and other medications cannot be used. Livestock must be raised with a balanced diet and allowed outdoors. The health care of the animals emphasizes prevention through diet and healthy living conditions, rather than chemical intervention.
Crops
Vegetables, fruits and other crops must be grown without the use of synthetic fertilizers, pesticides and herbicides. Natural methods that can be used for organic crops include application of manure and compost, as well as crop rotation. The use of sewage sludge is not allowed. Organic crops may not be bioengineered. Radiation cannot be used to process organic foods.
