Comments on: What is organic food? http://wewantorganicfood.com/2007/06/17/what-is-organic-food/ Organic food information and tips and gadgets for healthier living Sun, 15 Apr 2012 14:03:14 +0000 hourly 1 By: Diane Vigil http://wewantorganicfood.com/2007/06/17/what-is-organic-food/#comment-10096 Diane Vigil Tue, 11 Oct 2011 12:35:58 +0000 http://wewantorganicfood.com/2007/06/17/what-is-organic-food/#comment-10096 Sorry for the delay. At any rate, I can well understand your confusion --- and I agree that it's best explained by differentiating between (a) the definition of the word "organic" and (b) the legal definition of "organic" as used on labels (at least, here in the U.S.). I don't believe we have a "NASS" (nil added synthetic substances) designation here. However, while we do have the U.S.D.A. (United States Department of Agriculture) organic labeling standards. Those, very unfortunately, have three levels, only the first of which ("100% organic") mean what I think of when I hear the word <i>organic</i>. We've done a little writeup of the USDA labeling standards here: http://wewantorganicfood.com/2007/06/30/definition-of-organic-food-takes-a-hit/ which also has a link to the USDA <i>Organic Labeling and Marketing Information</i> PDF: http://www.ams.usda.gov/AMSv1.0/getfile?dDocName=STELDEV3004446&acct=nopgeninfo I normally just link to our article above, since the USDA seems to have, at one time, moved their page(s), and I'd hate to have to change the link throughout this website. At any rate, the bottom line is that I very much agree with you. I don't find the standards very logical, and in the case of the USDA standards, at least one level (the middle one) doesn't make much sense at all, as it allows other non-organic substances to creep in. Sorry for the delay. At any rate, I can well understand your confusion — and I agree that it's best explained by differentiating between (a) the definition of the word "organic" and (b) the legal definition of "organic" as used on labels (at least, here in the U.S.).

I don't believe we have a "NASS" (nil added synthetic substances) designation here. However, while we do have the U.S.D.A. (United States Department of Agriculture) organic labeling standards. Those, very unfortunately, have three levels, only the first of which ("100% organic") mean what I think of when I hear the word organic. We've done a little writeup of the USDA labeling standards here:

http://wewantorganicfood.com/2007/06/30/definition-of-organic-food-takes-a-hit/
which also has a link to the USDA Organic Labeling and Marketing Information PDF:
http://www.ams.usda.gov/AMSv1.0/getfile?dDocName=STELDEV3004446&acct=nopgeninfo

I normally just link to our article above, since the USDA seems to have, at one time, moved their page(s), and I'd hate to have to change the link throughout this website.

At any rate, the bottom line is that I very much agree with you. I don't find the standards very logical, and in the case of the USDA standards, at least one level (the middle one) doesn't make much sense at all, as it allows other non-organic substances to creep in.

]]> By: Noel Plumley http://wewantorganicfood.com/2007/06/17/what-is-organic-food/#comment-10093 Noel Plumley Thu, 22 Sep 2011 00:07:27 +0000 http://wewantorganicfood.com/2007/06/17/what-is-organic-food/#comment-10093 I have always been confused about the term 'organic' . In terms of food or plant standards' production it is a pretty meaningless term. Anything growing is organic even with the assistance of added inorganic synthetic chemicals. The term 'organic' in the context of food production needs to be changed to a specific term such as nil added synthetic substances (NASS). I would then be ensured as a consumer that a fair standard had been applied. Don't get me wrong I fully believe in NASS but I take the term 'organic ' with a pinch of salt as it is a very non-discriptive term and more importantly easily corrupted by non NASS industries. I have always been confused about the term 'organic' . In terms of food or plant standards' production it is a pretty meaningless term. Anything growing is organic even with the assistance of added inorganic synthetic chemicals. The term 'organic' in the context of food production needs to be changed to a specific term such as nil added synthetic substances (NASS). I would then be ensured as a consumer that a fair standard had been applied. Don't get me wrong I fully believe in NASS but I take the term 'organic ' with a pinch of salt as it is a very non-discriptive term and more importantly easily corrupted by non NASS industries.

]]> By: Definition of Organic Food takes a hit http://wewantorganicfood.com/2007/06/17/what-is-organic-food/#comment-9489 Definition of Organic Food takes a hit Sat, 20 Feb 2010 11:36:51 +0000 http://wewantorganicfood.com/2007/06/17/what-is-organic-food/#comment-9489 [...] --- the guys who oversee our country's agriculture (meat and produce) --- have changed the definition of organic food so that organic no longer means organic as we understand it, but conventional. Conventional food [...] [...] — the guys who oversee our country's agriculture (meat and produce) — have changed the definition of organic food so that organic no longer means organic as we understand it, but conventional. Conventional food [...]

]]> By: Just one minute there … sewage sludge in food?! http://wewantorganicfood.com/2007/06/17/what-is-organic-food/#comment-9488 Just one minute there … sewage sludge in food?! Sat, 20 Feb 2010 11:35:57 +0000 http://wewantorganicfood.com/2007/06/17/what-is-organic-food/#comment-9488 [...] didn't take too long after I'd written the What is organic food? article yesterday --- having read the USDA's National Organic Program's Labeling and Marketing [...] [...] didn't take too long after I'd written the What is organic food? article yesterday — having read the USDA's National Organic Program's Labeling and Marketing [...]

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