What Is USDA ORGANIC Certification?
USDA ORGANIC certification is a qualification process for producers of organic food and other organic agricultural products including personal health care products.
Includes the following:
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Ingredients that are free from synthetic chemicals: fertilizers, pesticides, antibiotics or food additives or genetically modified organisms (GMO)
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Ingredients grown on farmland that has been free from chemicals (pesticides, herbicides, fertilizers…etc.) for at least three years
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Keeping detailed written production and sales records (audit trail)
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Maintaining strict physical separation of certified organic products and non-certifed
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Undergo periodic on-site inspections where organic products are grown, harvested, processed or manufactured
The labeling requirements of the NOP apply to raw, fresh products and processed products that contain organic agricultural ingredients. Agricultural products that are sold, labelled, or represented as organic must be produced and processed in accordance with the NOP standards:
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100% Organic—Foods bearing this label are made with 100% organic ingredients* and may display the USDA ORGANIC seal.
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Organic—These products contain at least 95–99% organic ingredients (by weight). The remaining ingredients are not available organically but have been approved by the NOP. These products may display the USDA ORGANIC seal.
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Made with Organic Ingredients—Food packaging that reads “Made With Organic Ingredients” must contain 70–94% organic ingredients. These products will not bear the USDA ORGANIC seal; instead, they may list up to three ingredients on the front of the packaging.
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Other—Products with less than 70% organic ingredients may only list organic ingredients on the information panel of the packaging. These products will not bear the USDA ORGANIC seal.
*Salt and water are not included.
Not All
Organic Certifications Are Equal!
Where Is USDA ORGANIC Program?
USDA stands for US Department of Agriculture. The USDA has several agencies to help to keep America’s farmers and food supply safe, wholesome, and properly labeled. They also help to ensure the health and care of animals and plants and the health of the land through sustainable management. This includes organic raw materials for the manufacture of personal health care products. These agencies also inspect facilities, review ingredients and award compliant USDA ORGANIC certifications to personal health products.
Why Is USDA ORGANIC Certification Important?
A product claiming to be organic is very different from a product that is USDA ORGANIC certified. The quality of the ingredients, of any product NOT certified, is unregulated which means, it may contain toxic preservatives, pesticides, herbicides, genetically modified or contaminated…and many more unknowns.
USDA Organic ingredients are rigorously regulated and registered with the USDA database. These are the only ingredients allowed in the manufacture of skin care products that bear the USDA ORGANIC seal.
Who Is Eligible to be USDA ORGANIC Certified ?
The requirement to become USDA ORGANIC certified your product must be manufactured at a facility that has been NOP inspected and certified.
Using the USDA ORGANIC seal without authorization will result in penalties of up to $11,000 per violation when evidence shows that a business has violated the regulations, or has represented products as organic without certification.
Misconceptions
About USDA ORGANIC Certification
USDA is not the same as FDA (Food & Drug Administration). USDA certifies organic ingredients for foods or manufacturing, the FDA controls food and drugs.
USDA Certified products are too expensive! This is not true, USDA Organic products are very affordable and effective, clean and healthy.
All certifications are equal! This is not a correct assumption. The USDA has very strict regulations while other certifiers tend to be more lenient and still allow harmful ingredients.
