organic-related terms

Common terms and their explanations

100% organic:

all ingredients – the produce itself and anything used in processing – were grown and harvested according to USDA organic standards. The name of the certifying agency must appear on the package.

certified organic:

a USDA-accredited agency has confirmed that the farmer, company or business who raised or handled the food meets all USDA organic requirements.

eco-friendly:

not harmful to the environment.

food miles:

the distance that food travels between the field and the grocery store.

genetic engineering:

when DNA from different species is combined to develop new organisms. This results in GMOs – genetically modified organisms – and is prohibited in organic production. Loose or bunched produce items may be identified as genetically modified in the grocery store by a PLU code that begins with an 8.

GMO:

see “genetic engineering,” above.

locally grown:

definition varies, but generally means a product was grown in the local area. Whole Foods Market, for example, classifies products as “local” if they traveled seven or fewer hours from the farm to the store. Some people like buying locally grown food because they like knowing their food was grown nearby and believe the reduction in transportation time (and therefore greenhouse gases emitted by vehicles) is better for the environment. Not all organic food is locally grown.

natural:

a product that is minimally processed. Use of this term, unlike “organic,” is not regulated by any national standards, so it is often used freely.

organic:

a way of growing and processing food, including produce, that doesn’t involve the use of artificial ingredients, preservatives or irradiation. Products labeled “organic” must contain at least 95 percent organic ingredients, according to USDA regulations. The name of the certifying agency must appear on the package. Loose or bunched produce items may be identified as organic in the grocery store by a PLU code that begins with a 9.

pesticide-free:

food that was grown without the use of synthetic pesticides. This doesn’t mean that the food is completely free of pesticides: organic pesticides could have been used, or synthetic pesticide residue from neighboring farms could have blown onto crops. Use of this term is not regulated by any national standards.

PLU code:

price look-up code. It contains four to five digits and is used to help cashiers in the grocery store price produce items that are sold loose or bunched, like bananas. It can also help you identify organic products. If a product’s PLU code begins with an 8, it is genetically modified; if it begins with a 9, it is organic.

sustainable agriculture:

a system of agriculture that promotes the well-being of natural and human resources through emphasis on environmental, economic and social factors. Organic production is often considered to fall under this definition.

transitional:

a product grown on a farm that’s switching from conventional to organic farming. The product was grown according to USDA organic requirements, but either the soil was not chemical-free for the required length of time, or the farm was still in the process of gaining organic certification.

USDA organic seal:

found on products that are at least 95 percent organic. Use of the seal is optional, so not all organic products contain it.